This paper presents the design and experimental implementation of second order sliding mode (SOSM) control using super twisting algorithm to minimize structural vibration. A linear dynamic model of the smart cantilever beam is obtained using online recursive least square method and information filter is used for state estimation. A digital control system that consists of simulink modeling software and dSPACE 1104 controller board has been used for implementation. The effectiveness of the controllers for rejecting uncertainty is shown experimentally by exciting the structure at resonance with added tip mass and at elevated temperatures. © 2012 IEEE.