Particle damping, an effective passive vibration control technology, is developing dramatically at the present stage, especially in the aerospace and machinery fields. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of particle damping technology, beginning with its basic concept, developmental history, and research status all over the world. Furthermore, various interpretations of the underlying damping mechanism are introduced and discussed in detail. The theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, together with their pros and cons are systematically expounded, in which a discrete element method of simulating a multi-degree-of-freedom structure with a particle damper system is illustrated. Moreover, on the basis of previous studies, a simplified method to analyze the complicated nonlinear particle damping is proposed, in which all particles are modeled as a single mass, thereby simplifying its use by practicing engineers. In order to broaden the applicability of particle dampers, it is necessary to implement the coupled algorithm of finite element method and discrete element method. In addition, the characteristics of experimental studies on particle damping are also summarized. Finally, the application of particle damping technology in the aerospace field, machinery field, lifeline engineering, and civil engineering is reviewed at length. As a new trend in structural vibration control, the application of particle damping in civil engineering is just at the beginning. The advantages and potential applications are demonstrated, whereas the difficulties and deficiencies in the present studies are also discussed. The paper concludes by suggesting future developments involving semi-active approaches that can enhance the effectiveness of particle dampers when used in conjunction with structures subjected to nonstationary excitation, such as earthquakes and similar nonstationary random excitations.

Particle impact dampers: Past, present, and future

Damping performance of particle dampers with different granular materials and their mixtures

Research testing has led to the development of an Elastomer Particle Damper (EPD), which can add considerable damping to a structure by directing the vibration to a set of interacting elastomer particles through a rigid connection. This vibration treatment presents highly nonlinear behavior that is strongly dependent on both the vibration amplitude and frequency. Curves of damping loss factor (DLF) of an EPD system with vertical motion as a function of frequency and acceleration are reported herein. The results show that the elastomer particle damper has two distinct damping regions. The first region is related to the fluidization state of the particles, as described in the literature, obtained when the damper is subjected to vertical acceleration close to 1 g and frequencies below 50 Hz. The second region presents high values of DLF to acceleration values lower than 1 g, and the frequency range is dependent upon the stiffness of the particles. A high degree of effectiveness is achieved when the working frequency of the elastomer particle dampers is tuned to a natural frequency of a plate and when they are strategically located at points having large displacement. The performance of EPDs was compared with that of a commercial constrained layer damping installed in an aircraft floor panel. The EPDs achieved an acceleration level attenuation in the aircraft floor panel similar to that of the commercial constrained layer damping system.

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High Damping Characteristics of an Elastomer Particle Damper

The concept of particle damping could be traced back to 1937, when Paget [1] was studying the vibration attenuation problem of the turbine blades, during which he invented the impact damper.

Origination, Development and Applications of Particle Damping Technology

Obtaining Structure-borne Input for Hybrid FEA/SEA Engine Enclosure Models through a Simplified Transfer Path Analysis

Research testing has led to the development of an innovative damping treatment, called the elastomer particle damper (ELP). This treatment can add considerable damping to a structure by directing a vibration through a rigid connection to a set of elastomer particles which behave as a damper. It is of interest to study the parameters involved in this mechanism of energy dissipation and to achieve optimal performance of the EPD. In this context, in this paper the experimental analysis of some parameters, such as the particle size, mass and material and the damper box geometry, is reported. In this regard, the fluidization point at which the elastomer particles become optimally excited, maximizing the damping, was found. Important conclusions from these experiments could guide future studies aimed at prototype improvements.

Experimental study on some parameters that affect the performance of an elastomer particle damper

Hybrid FE-SEA Modeling and Experimental Validation of an Aircraft Floor Structure for the Analysis of Vibration Isolators

Particle damping has been shown to effectively reduce vibrations on complex structures and systems. Particle damping relies on intimate contact with the vibrating surface to be effective. Previous studies have focused on applying particle damping to horizontal structures where gravity ensures contact with the surface. However, many applications would make use of this damping technology on vertical surfaces. This paper investigates the added challenge and methodology of packaging particle damping for vertical applications and studies the variables that impact performance. The outcome will establish the key system parameters which drive performance and allow the capability to optimize particle damping effectiveness for these types of systems.

https://www.acoustics.asn.au/conference_proceedings/INTERNOISE2014/papers/p570.pdf

Marcelo Bustamante

Papers

Experimental study on some parameters that affect the performance of an elastomer particle damper

High Damping Characteristics of an Elastomer Particle Damper

Hybrid FE-SEA Modeling and Experimental Validation of an Aircraft Floor Structure for the Analysis of Vibration Isolators

The effectiveness of particle damping for use on vertical surfaces