Studies of the performance of particle dampers under dynamic loads

This paper presents a systematic investigation of the performance of particle dampers (vertical and horizontal) attached to a primary system (single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) and multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF)) under different dynamic loads (free vibration, stationary random excitation as well as nonstationary random excitation, with single component or multi-component), and the optimum operating regions are all determined. The amount of dissipated energy due to impact and friction, and the concept of “Effective Momentum Exchange” are shown to be suitable “global” measures to interpret the physics involved in the behavior of particle dampers. Using the well-established discrete element method, the motion of vertical particle dampers can be analyzed and classified into three different regions, and the associated damping characteristics can be interpreted. The first mode of a MDOF primary system can be effectively controlled by a properly designed particle damper; however, the higher modes are more affected by other parameters. Consequently, extensive parametric studies are presented to evaluate the effects of various system parameters, such as: mass ratio, primary system damping, coefficient of restitution, container dimensions, excitation amplitude and components, input locations and damper locations.     

Behavior of nonlinear fluid viscous dampers for control of shock vibrations

Fluid viscous dampers have been widely used for suppression of high velocity shocks. While linear fluid viscous dampers have been used for a long time, nonlinear fluid viscous dampers show considerable promise due to their superior energy dissipation characteristics and significant reduction in the damper force compared to a linear fluid viscous damper for the same peak displacement. This paper presents results from experimental study to characterize fluid viscous dampers when subjected to half-cycle sine shock excitation. The mathematical formulation and a numerical study to evaluate the relative performance of structures with fluid viscous dampers subjected to short-duration shock (impulse) loading are also discussed. The influence of damper nonlinearity (α) and the supplemental damping ratio (ξ_sd) on response has been investigated. The supplemental damping ratio of nonlinear fluid viscous dampers when subjected to shock excitation is found by equivalent linearization using the concept of equal energy dissipation. The paper also presents some design charts, which can be used for preliminary decisions on parameters of nonlinear dampers to be used in design.     

A comparison of two nonlinear damping mechanisms in a vibration isolator

The vibration transmissibility characteristics of a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) passive vibration isolation system with different nonlinear dampers are investigated in this paper. In one configuration, the damper is assumed to be linear and viscous, and is connected to the mass so that it is perpendicular to the spring (horizontal damper). The vibration is in the direction of the spring. The second configuration is one in which the damper is in parallel with the spring but the damping force is proportional to the cube of the relative velocity across the damper (cubic damping). Both configurations are studied for small amplitudes of excitation, when some analysis can be conducted based on analytical expressions, and for large amplitudes of excitation, where the analysis is based on numerical simulations. It is found that the two nonlinear systems can outperform the linear system when force transmissibility is considered. However, for displacement transmissibility, the system with the horizontal damper exhibits some desirable properties, but the system with cubic damping does not.     

H-infinity optimization of a variant design of the dynamic vibration absorber—Revisited and new results

The H_∞ optimum parameters of a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) with ground-support are derived to minimize the resonant vibration amplitude of a single degree-of-freedom (sdof) system under harmonic force excitation. The optimum parameters which are derived based on the classical fixed-points theory and reported in literature for this non-traditional DVA are shown to be not leading to the minimum resonant vibration amplitude of the controlled mass. A new procedure is proposed for the H_∞ optimization of such a dynamic vibration absorber. A new set of optimum tuning frequency and damping of the absorber is derived, thereby resulting in lower maximum amplitude responses than those reported in the literature. The proposed optimized variant DVA is also compared to a ground-hooked damper of the same damping capacity of the damper in the DVA. It is proved that the proposed optimized DVA has better suppression of the resonant vibration amplitude of the controlled system than both the traditional DVA and also the ground-hooked damper if the proposed design procedure of the variant DVA is followed.     

Torsional friction damper optimization

A new approach for the analysis of friction dampers is presented in this work. The exact form of the steady-state solution for a friction damper implemented on a primary system is developed and numerical solutions are used to determine the optimum friction in a friction damper applied to a specific primary system. When compared to classical results presented by earlier authors, the new approach provides a more optimal solution. In addition, viscous damping in the primary system may be included with the new analysis approach. The ability to optimize a friction damper when viscous damping is included in the primary system is a significant improvement over earlier methods and shows potential for serving as a guide to realizing a more accurate estimate of the optimal damping for friction dampers.     

Energy dissipation of a friction damper

In this paper the energy dissipated through friction is analysed for a type of friction dampers used to reduce squeal noise from railway wheels. A one degree-of-freedom system is analytically studied. First the existence and stability of a periodic solution are demonstrated and then the energy dissipated per cycle is determined as a function of the system parameters. In this way the influence of the mass, natural frequency and internal damping of the friction damper on the energy dissipation is established. It is shown that increasing the mass and reducing the natural frequency and internal damping of the friction damper maximizes the dissipated energy.     

Analytical and experimental validation of a nondimensional Bingham model for mixed-mode magnetorheological dampers

In this paper an experimental validation of a nondimensional analysis for a mixed-mode magnetorheological (MR) damper is described. Based on the Bingham constitutive equation of an MR fluid, a nondimensional model describing damping capacity of the MR damper is formulated using nondimensional parameters including the Bingham number, nondimensional plug thickness, hydraulic amplification ratio, and equivalent viscous damping coefficient. The effects of the Bingham number and the hydraulic amplification ratio on the nondimensional plug thickness and equivalent viscous damping coefficient are analyzed. A mixed-mode MR damper is designed and fabricated to validate the relationships between nondimensional parameters. The damper is tested under various loading conditions and current (applied magnetic field intensity) levels. The nondimensional parameters and variables are measured experimentally, and the effectiveness of the nondimensional analysis model for mixed-mode MR dampers is demonstrated. In addition, comparisons between mixed and flow mode dampers are undertaken using this nondimensional analysis.     

Vibration suppression of a cantilever beam using magnetically tuned-mass-damper

Eddy currents are induced by the movement of a conductor through a stationary magnetic field or a time varying magnetic field through a stationary conductor. These currents circulate in the conductive material and are dissipated, causing a repulsive force between the magnet and the conductor. These electromagnetic forces can be used to suppress the vibrations of a flexible structure. A tuned mass damper is a device mounted in structures to reduce the amplitude of mechanical vibrations and is one of the effective vibration suppression methods. In the present study, an improved concept of this tuned mass damper for the vibration suppression of structures is introduced. This concept consists of the classical tuned mass damper and an eddy current damping. The important advantages of this magnetically tuned mass damper are that it is relatively simple to apply, it does not require any electronic devices and external power, and it is effective on the vibration suppression. The proposed concept is designed for a cantilever beam and the analytical studies on the eddy current damping and its effects on the vibration suppression. To show the effectiveness of the proposed concept and verify the eddy current damping model, experiments on a cantilever beam are performed. It is found that the proposed concept could significantly increase the damping effect of the tuned mass damper even if not adequately tuned.     

Mitigation of edgewise vibrations in wind turbine blades by means of roller dampers

Edgewise vibrations in wind turbine blades are lightly damped, and large amplitude vibrations induced by the turbulence may significantly shorten the fatigue life of the blade. This paper investigates the performance of roller dampers for mitigation of edgewise vibrations in rotating wind turbine blades. Normally, the centrifugal acceleration of the rotating blade can reach to a magnitude of 7–8g, which makes it possible to use this kind of damper with a relatively small mass ratio for suppressing edgewise vibrations effectively. The parameters of the damper to be optimized are the mass ratio, the frequency ratio, the coefficient of rolling friction and the position of the damper in the blade. The optimization of these parameters has been carried out on a reduced 2-DOF nonlinear model of the rotating wind turbine blade equipped with a roller damper in terms of a ball or a cylinder, ignoring the coupling with other degrees of freedom of the wind turbine. The edgewise modal loading on the blade has been calculated from a more sophisticated 13-DOF aeroelastic wind turbine model with due consideration to the indicated couplings, the turbulence and the aerodynamic damping. Various turbulence intensities and mean wind speeds have been considered to evaluate the effectiveness of the roller damper in reducing edgewise vibrations when the working conditions of the wind turbine are changed. Further, the optimized roller damper is incorporated into the 13-DOF wind turbine model to verify the application of the decoupled optimization. The results indicate that the proposed damper can effectively improve the structural response of wind turbine blades.     

Autoparametric vibration absorber effect to reduce the first symmetric mode vibration of a curved beam/panel

This paper presents the implementation of autoparametric phenomena to reduce the symmetrical vibration of a curved beam/panel under external harmonic excitation. The internal energy transfer of a first symmetric mode into first anti-symmetric mode in a curved panel is one example of autoparametric vibration absorber effect. This is similar to the vibration energy transfer from the resonance of a primary structure to the resonance of a secondary spring–mass (tuned mass damper). The nonlinear response of a curved beam is analyzed using an equation with two modes, and a shaker test. The effect of different configurations of the curve beam/panel, including damping ratios and excitation levels, on the energy transfer of the first symmetric mode to the first anti-symmetric mode was studied.The conventional tuned mass damper (TMD) can reduce the resonance response by energy transfer using damping dissipation, whereas an autoparametric vibration absorber (AVA) can reduce the resonance response by energy transfer using parametric interaction. The results indicate that there is a non-absorption region in which vibration is amplified. For the AVA, the non-absorption region can be minimized by tuning the resonance frequency of the first anti-symmetric mode to half of the first symmetric mode resonance frequency using additional mass. No additional damping material is required for achieving sufficient vibration reduction. The AVA can maintain reliable performance in hot and corrosive environments where damping material cannot perform effectively. This paper presents the first successful experimental results of an autoparametric vibration absorption mechanism in a curved beam.     

Hysteretic tuned mass dampers for structural vibration mitigation

The hysteresis exhibited by short steel wire ropes is shown to lend itself as an effective restoring force for nonlinear monodirectional tuned mass dampers. Experiment-driven modeling based on the identified hysteretic restoring forces together with continuation tools enables an optimal design of these dampers through construction of families of frequency–response curves over a wide range of excitation amplitudes. Semi-analytical/numerical and experimental studies are carried out considering a base-excited test structure represented by a simply supported beam together with a prototype of the hysteretic damper subject to either harmonic or filtered Gaussian white noise excitations.     

Quasi-active suspension design using magnetorheological dampers

Quasi-active damping is a method of coupled mechanical and control system design using multiple semi-active dampers. By designing the systems such that the desired control force may always be achieved using a combination of the dampers, quasi-active damping seeks to approach levels of vibration isolation achievable through active damping, whilst retaining the desirable attributes of semi-active systems. In this article a design is proposed for a quasi-active, base-isolating suspension system.Control laws are firstly defined in a generalised form, where semi-active dampers are considered as idealised variable viscous dampers. This system is used to demonstrate in detail the principles of quasi-active damping, in particular the necessary interaction between mechanical and control systems. It is shown how such a system can produce a tunable, quasi-active region in the frequency response of very low displacement transmissibility.Quasi-active control laws are then proposed which are specific for use with magnetorheological dampers. These are validated in simulation using a realistic model of the damper dynamics, again producing a quasi-active region in the frequency response. Finally, the robustness of the magnetorheological, quasi-active suspension system is demonstrated.     

Theoretical prediction of the damping of a railway wheel with sandwich-type dampers

This paper presents a procedure for predicting the damping added to a railway wheel when sandwich-type dampers are installed. Although there are different ways to reduce the noise generated by a railway wheel, most devices are based on the mechanism of increasing wheel damping. This is why modal damping ratios are a clear indicator of the efficiency of the damping device and essential when a vibro-acoustic study of a railway wheel is carried out. Based on a number of output variables extracted from the wheel and damper models, the strategy explained herein provides the final damping ratios of the damped wheel. Several different configurations are designed and experimentally tested. Theoretical and experimental results agree adequately, and it is demonstrated that this procedure is a good tool for qualitative comparison between different solutions in the design stages.     

On the dynamic behaviour of a mass supported by a parallel combination of a spring and an elastically connected damper

This paper presents a consistent and concise analysis of the free and forced vibration of a mass supported by a parallel combination of a spring and an elastically supported damper (a Zener model). The results are presented in a compact form and the physical behaviour of the system is emphasised. This system is very similar to the conventional single-degree-of freedom system (sdof)—(Voigt model), but the dynamics can be quite different depending on the system parameters. The usefulness of the additional spring in series with the damper is investigated, and optimum damping values for the system subject to different types of excitation are determined and compared.There are three roots to the characteristic equation for the Zener model; two are complex conjugates and the third is purely real. It is shown that it is not possible to achieve critical damping of the complex roots unless the additional stiffness is at least eight times that of the main spring. For a harmonically excited system, there are some possible advantages in using the additional spring when the transmitted force to the base is of interest, but when the displacement response of the system is of interest then the benefits are marginal. It is shown that the additional spring affords no advantages when the system is excited by white noise.     

Novel schemes for inserting seismic dampers in shear-type systems based upon the mass proportional component of the Rayleigh damping matrix

This paper presents the results of an extensive study carried out to investigate the applicability of a novel scheme for inserting added viscous dampers in shear-type systems. The findings, even though developed with specific reference to civil building structures, provide useful insight also for the effective addition of viscous dampers in mechanical dynamic systems (of similar characteristics) when excited at the base.The novel scheme proposed (referred to as the MPD system) is based upon the mass proportional component of the Rayleigh damping matrix (MPD matrix) and is characterised by a peculiar damper placement which sees the dampers placed so that they connect each mass to a fixed point.Firstly, the paper briefly recalls (a) the physical principles and (b) selected results of numerical investigations which show that the MPD system is characterised by superior dissipative properties.Secondly, the paper investigates the implementation of the MPD system in civil building structures. Two solutions are envisaged herein: direct implementation (through the use of long buckling-resistant dampers which connect each storey to the ground) and indirect implementation (by placing common dampers between the structure and a very stiff lateral-resisting element adjacent or internal to the structure). The first solution leads to the implementation in the structure of an exact MPD matrix, if damper sizing is chosen appropriately. The second solution (simpler than the first one to implement in building structures) leads to an exact MPD matrix, if, in addition to appropriate damper sizing, the lateral-resisting element is infinitely stiff. As far as the direct implementation is concerned, this paper shows how long buckling-resistant braces are available for structural systems up to three storey high. As far as the indirect implementation is concerned, this paper shows (through extensive numerical parametric investigations) how this solution is capable of providing damping effects which are similar to those offered by the direct implementation, even for lateral-resisting elements characterised by finite lateral stiffness. The results obtained also provide insight for the optimal insertion of viscous dampers in coupled mechanical dynamic systems.     

Optimum connecting dampers to reduce the seismic responses of parallel structures

Parameters of connecting dampers between two adjacent structures and twin-tower structure with large podium are optimized through theoretical analysis. The connecting visco-elastic damper (VED) is represented by the Kelvin model and the connecting viscous fluid damper (VFD) is represented by the Maxwell model. Two optimization criteria are selected to minimize the vibration energy of the primary structure and to minimize the vibration energy of both structures. Two representative numerical examples of adjacent structures and one three-dimensional finite element model of a twin-tower with podium structure are used to verify the correctness of the theoretical approach. On the one hand, by means of theoretical analysis, the first natural circular frequencies and total mass of the two structures can be taken as parameters in the general formula to get the optimal parameters of the coupling dampers. On the other hand, using the Kanai-Tajimi filtered white-noise ground motion model and several actual earthquake records, the appropriate parameters of two types of linking dampers are obtained through extensive parametric studies. By comparison, it can be found that the results of parametric studies are consistent with the results of theoretical studies for the two types of dampers under the two optimization criteria. The effectiveness of VED and VFD is investigated in terms of the seismic response reduction of the neighboring structures. The numerical results demonstrate that the seismic response and vibration energy of parallel structures are mitigated significantly. The performances of VED and VFD are comparable to one another. The explicit formula of VED and VFD can help engineers in application of coupled structure control strategies.     

Receptances of non-proportionally and continuously damped plates—Reduced dampers method

This paper presents a method for the dynamic analysis of continuously and non-proportionally damped plates in bending modes. The damping can be in the form of constrained or unconstrained layers. The method is an extension of the equivalent dampers method discussed in a previous paper, in which the damping matrix of a discretized plate is replaced by a diagonal equivalent damping matrix. Each diagonal element represents an equivalent damper inserted between the structure and ground. In this method the number of equivalent dampers is reduced so that the receptance matrix of the damped structure can be obtained economically by a direct matrix method. The receptances of two different partially coated plates in transverse directions are computed by the method suggested. The verification of the results is demonstrated by comparison with the experimental values and also with the theoretical values obtained by the equivalent dampers method. The method presented can also be applied to the transverse vibration analysis of plates with discrete damping inserts.     

Vibration isolation in the presence of Coulomb friction

Transmissibility curves for a Coulomb-damped flexible mounting are presented for both rigidly and elastically coupled damping. The closed solutions easily obtainable for the slipping and sticking phases of the motion are used in the method, and no conceptual approximation is involved. The transmissibility curves are compared with previously published approximations based on linearization of the damping. It is shown that the approximate method seriously underestimates the heights of significant resonant peaks and gives optimum friction values somewhat in error, but gives reasonable approximations to the transmissibilities at the high frequencies corresponding to effective isolation.     

Optimal design of passive viscous dampers for controlling the resonant response of orthotropic plates under high-speed moving loads

In this article, the resonant response of plates traversed by moving loads is addressed being its main application the dynamic performance of railway bridges under high-speed traffic. An innovative alternative to reduce the deck inadmissible oscillations that may appear in short simply supported structures in resonant conditions is proposed, based on artificially increasing the superstructure damping by retrofitting the deck with fluid viscous dampers. A particular auxiliary structure transforming the deck vertical deflection into relative movement within the devices is envisaged, being the main objectives of the study to optimise the retrofitting system parameters and to prove its efficiency under the action of railway vehicles. For these purposes, the retrofitted deck behaviour is first investigated using an orthotropic plate model under harmonic excitation. On the basis of an analytical approach, a dimensionless version of the equations of motion is presented, the governing parameters are extracted and an intensive sensitivity analysis of the plate response is performed. Finally, analytical closed-form expressions for the optimal dampers constants are derived and their adequacy is numerically evaluated. To this end, an existing bridge belonging to the Spanish Railway network is analysed using a three-dimensional finite element code specifically programmed by the authors for this application. In the end the controlling effect of the retrofitting system and the applicability of the optimal parameters analytical expressions are proven for a wide range of circulating velocities.