| Particle damping is a passive vibration control technique where multiple auxiliary masses are placed in a cavity attached to a vibrating structure. The particle damper is conceptually a relatively simple device. However, the behavior of the particle damper is highly nonlinear and energy dissipation, or damping, is derived from a combination of loss mechanisms. These loss mechanisms involve complex physical processes and cannot be analyzed reliably using current models. As a result, previous particle damper designs have been based on trial and-error testing. A mathematical model has been developed which will allow effective particle dampers to be designed for specific applications without extensive experimentation. The model utilizes the particle dynamics method and captures the complex physics involved in particle damping, including frictional contact interactions between individual particles and between particles and the cavity walls, and the energy dissipation due to viscoelasticity of the particle material. Application of the model is demonstrated by simulating experimental testing. Model predictions compare well with experimental test data. |
