An active electromagnetic stabilization of the Leipholz column

We study the application of electromagnetic actuators for the active stabilization of the Leipholz column. The cases of the compressive and tensional load of the column placed in air and in water are considered. The partial differential equation of the column is discretized by Galerkin's procedure, and the stability of the obtained control system is evaluated by the eigenvalues of its linearization. Four different methods of active stabilization are investigated. They incorporate control systems based on feedback proportional to the transverse displacement of the column, its velocity and the current in the electromagnets. Conditions in which these strategies are effective in securing safe operation of the column are discussed in detail.