Imposing nodes for linear structures during harmonic excitations using SMURF method

Vibration absorbers are usually designed using the finite element (FE) model of structures. It is generally believed that the modal models are more accurate than FE models, because in modal testing the model is built by direct measurement of the test structure. In this paper, a method is proposed to design a translational vibration absorber using the measured frequency response functions of a primary structure. The designed vibration absorber imposes a node on the structure when it is excited by a harmonic force. The method is based on the structural modification using experimental frequency response functions technique and determines the required receptance of the absorber at the excitation frequency. Moreover, a procedure is developed to suppress the vibration amplitude of two arbitrary points on a linear structure subjected to harmonic excitations by attaching two sprung mass absorbers. A cantilever beam is considered for the numerical case study, and the sprung masses are designed to suppress the vibration amplitude of the beam at the selected arbitrary points. A U-shape plate was considered for the experimental validation of the method for imposing a node using one absorber. Also, a beam was tested to demonstrate the effectiveness of method for imposing two nodes on the structures. The experimental results show that the designed absorbers can considerably suppress the vibration amplitude at the selected points on the structure.