*2.2.1. Test rig 01 (TR01) to build the BMM and IBBM models*

The schematic diagram of the test rig TR01 for the damper RD-1005-3 is depicted in Fig. 3a. In this system, a hydraulic actuator and a driving controller (VibMaster) manufactured by Park Electronics were employed to drive the damper. The end-effector of the actuator is a hydraulic cylinder with 0.035m diameter which is driven by a servo valve. The servo valve with a nominal operational frequency range of 0-50Hz, made by Moog Inc., was used as the final control target to adjust the actuator motion. A linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) was set up to measure the piston-rod displacement of the MR fluid damper. In addition, a compatible load cell with 5000N capacity made by Bongshin Corp. was attached in series with the damper rod to measure the damping force. A PC installed with the VibMaster control program was used to generate system vibrations, while the PC with a

(b) Photograph of TR01

**Figure 3.** Test rig 01 – TR01 using damper RD-1005-3.

current amplified circuit sent the current signal to adjust the damper characteristics. Consequently, the feedback signals measured by the LVDT and load cell were sent back to the PC through an Advantech A/D PCI card 1711 to perform a full input-output data acquisition. Finally, the load frame shown in Fig. 3a was designed and fabricated as shown in Fig. 3b for the purpose of obtaining the MR fluid damper responses.

(b) Photograph of TR02
