Active vibration control with comparative algorithms of half rail vehicle model under various track irregularities

This study represents the comparison of fuzzy logic and PID controlled active suspensions’ performances on an 11 degree-of-freedom rail vehicle model. First, a PID controller and then a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) are designed for the same model separately to obtain a comfortable travel for the users. Since the PID control method can be applied easily and is well known, it has an important place in control applications and a FLC is preferred because of its superior performance in active vibration control. Controllers are used to secondary suspension systems placed between rail vehicle and bogie. This vehicle is modeled as a lumped parameter system which consists of a body, bogie, primary and secondary suspensions and rigid wheels. The model has been designed to take into account the complexity of wheel-rail contact. For the purpose of observing both controllers’ performances, two different track irregularities are considered as disruptive effects of the system. All parameters for both controllers are achieved by the use of genetic algorithm for the same simulation conditions and performance criteria. At the end of the study, time history and frequency response for accelerations and displacements of the rail vehicle are presented for both uncontrolled and controlled systems. Performances of the compared approaches are discussed.