Stability and control of random rocking motion of a multidimensional structure: the Melnikov approach

This paper investigates the controlled dynamics of a structure consisting of a free standing rigid block with an attached chain of uniaxially moving point masses. Rocking motion is excited by motion of the ground; instability is associated with overturning of the structure as a whole. The control task is to minimize the probability of overturning. The stochastic Melnikov method is used to obtain a necessary condition of instability, estimate an upper bound to the probability of overturning, and find a convenient control strategy. The paper is restricted to the consideration of seismic vulnerability of the structure. A similar approach can be applied to systems with wind or wave excitations.