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

Experimental studies of the effects of buffered particle dampers attached to a multi-degree-of-freedom system under dynamic loads

Particle damping is an effective vibration suppression method. The purpose of this paper is to develop an empirical method for particle damping design based on extensive experiments on three structural objects - steel beam, bond arm and bond head stand. The relationships among several key parameters of structure/particles are obtained. Then the procedures with the use of particle damping are proposed to provide guidelines for practical applications. It is believed that the results presented in this paper would be helpful to effectively implement the particle damping for various structural systems for the purpose of vibration suppression.

/pdf/an-empirical-method-for-particle-damping-design-1pajsu8v22.pdf

An Empirical Method for Particle Damping Design

Transient responses of repeated impact of a beam against a stop

Modeling and experimental study of a honeycomb beam filled with damping particles

A high speed damper test rig has been assembled at Texas A&M University to develop rotordynamic dampers for rocket engine turbopumps that operate at cryogenic temperatures, such as those used in the space shuttle main engines (SSMEs). Damping is difficult to obtain in this class of turbomachinery due to the low temperature and viscosity of the operating fluid. An impact damper has been designed and tested as a means to obtain effective damping in a rotorbearing system. The performance and behavior of the impact damper is verified experimentally in a cryogenic test rig at Texas A&M. Analytical investigations indicate astrong amplitude dependence on the performance of the impact damper. An optimum operating amplitude exists and is determined both analytically and experimentally. In addition, the damper performance is characterized by an equivalent viscous damping coefficient. The test results prove the impact damper to be a viable means to suppress vibration in a cryogenic rotorbearing system.

S. A. Klusman

Papers

A Forced Response Analysis and Application of Impact Dampers to Rotordynamic Vibration Suppression in a Cryogenic Environment

A Forced Response Analysis and Application of Impact Dampers to Rotordynamic Vibration Suppression in a Cryogenic Environment