Mohan D. Rao

Bio: Mohan D. Rao is an academic researcher from Michigan Technological University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Vibration & Equations of motion. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 58 publications receiving 1332 citations. Previous affiliations of Mohan D. Rao include Auburn University.

Dynamic Analysis and Design of Laminated Composite Beams with Multiple Damping Layers

Abstract: This paper describes the formulation of a theory for the prediction of damping and natural frequencies of laminated composite beams with multiple viscoelastic damping layers. The damping layers are constrained (or sandwiched) by anisotropic laminates. The in-plane shear strains of the damping layers and the constraining layers are included in the model. Closed-form solutions for the resonance frequencies and modal loss factors of the composite beam system under simple supports are derived using the energy and Ritz method. A parametric study has been conducted to study the variation of dynamic stiffness and modal loss factor of the system with structural parameters (e.g., the ply orientations of laminas, thickness of the damping layers and the laminates), operating temperature, and damping material properties. The design of composite beams for maximizing the damping capacity is also presented in this paper which includes the determination of operating temperature range corresponding to given structural parameters and finding optimal structural parameters corresponding to given temperature range. Finally, some experimental results are compared with theory for the cases of single and double damping layer beam systems that show good agreement between predicted and measured natural frequencies.

Dynamic analysis and damping of composite structures embedded with viscoelastic layers

Abstract: In recent years, it has been found that composites co-cured with viscoelastic materials can enhance the damping capacity of a composite structural system with little reduction in stiffness and strength. Because of the anisotropy of the constraining layers, the damping mechanism of co-cured composites is quite different from that of conventional structures with metal constraining layers. This paper presents an analysis of the dynamic properties of multiple damping layer, laminated composite beams with anisotropic stiffness layers, by means of the finite element-based modal strain energy method. ANSYS 4.4A finite element software has been used for this study. The variation of resonance frequencies and modal loss factors of various beam samples with temperature is studied. Some of these results are compared with the closed-form theoretical results of an earlier published work. For obtaining optimium dynamic properties, the effects of different parameters, such as layer orientation angle and compliant layering, are studied. Also, the effect of using a combination of different damping materials in the system for obtaining stable damping properties over a wide temperature range is studied.

A review on prognostic techniques for non-stationary and non-linear rotating systems

Abstract: The field of prognostics has attracted significant interest from the research community in recent times. Prognostics enables the prediction of failures in machines resulting in benefits to plant operators such as shorter downtimes, higher operation reliability, reduced operations and maintenance cost, and more effective maintenance and logistics planning. Prognostic systems have been successfully deployed for the monitoring of relatively simple rotating machines. However, machines and associated systems today are increasingly complex. As such, there is an urgent need to develop prognostic techniques for such complex systems operating in the real world. This review paper focuses on prognostic techniques that can be applied to rotating machinery operating under non-linear and non-stationary conditions. The general concept of these techniques, the pros and cons of applying these methods, as well as their applications in the research field are discussed. Finally, the opportunities and challenges in implementing prognostic systems and developing effective techniques for monitoring machines operating under non-stationary and non-linear conditions are also discussed.

Damping in composite materials: Properties and models

Abstract: The present review aims at gathering the available literature on damping in composite materials. A chronological review of test methods for damping estimation is presented in order to describe the time-line of the theoretical knowledge development in this field. In the last years many new material configurations have emerged that deserve investigation, such as nano-composites, hybrid laminates and sandwich materials. Damping models specifically meant for non-homogeneous materials are reported to provide a background for understanding this problem. Although not widely exploited yet, fibre reinforced polymers has the potential to be tailored for damping by acting on constituents, geometry and boundary conditions. Nano-composites, for instance, are shown to possess a high potential for damping purposes. New hybrid and sandwich-type structures are emerging as noise and vibration control solutions in lightweight applications. The effort devoted to mathematical and numerical model in view of Finite Element integration of damping properties is also addressed. Finally, the conclusions summarise the ideas of the authors on needed steps to advance the state-of-the-art in each of the described topic.