Computational algorithm for controlling a Timoshenko beam Original Research Article

This paper is concerned with computational algorithms for LQR control of a Timoshenko slewing beam problem. The algorithm make use of a conforming finite element scheme that is shown to produce convergent control laws. It is shown that the closed loop feedback can effectively control the vibrations due to an initial displacement. It is also shown that when the system parameters are such that an Euler-Bernoulli model is adequate to describe the dynamics of the beam, the functional gains using the full Timoshenko model are qualitatively similar to the ones using an Euler-Bernoulli model.