Active control of non-stationary response of a two-degree of freedom vehicle model with nonlinear suspension

Active control of non-stationary response of a two-degree of freedom vehicle model with nonlinear passive suspension elements is considered in this paper. The method of equivalent linearization is used to derive an equivalent linear model and optimal control laws are obtained by using stochastic optimal control theory based on full state information. Velocity squared quadratic damping and hysteretic type of stiffness nonlinearities are considered. The effect of the nonlinearities on the active system performance is studied. The performance of active suspensions with nonlinear passive elements is found to be superior to the corresponding passive suspension systems. © 1995 Indian Academy of Sciences.