Constrained Damping Layer Treatments: Finite Element Modeling

Abstract

In this paper we assess the performance of finite element models in modeling structures with sheer damping treatments. We analyze the finite element modeling of constrained layer damping (CLD) and integrated layer damping (ILD) treatments using viscoelastic materials, devoting special attention to the spatial modeling of the treatment and to the characterization of the viscoelastic material properties. In this work, we used a finite element commercial software (MSC.Nastran) to simulate the dynamic response of aluminum plates with both treatment configurations (CLD and ILD). The spatial modeling of the treatment was devel-oped using three different models, all based on a layered assembly of plate/brick conventional finite elements. The dynamic properties of the viscoelastic material were taken into account in the numerical simulation using the complex modulus approach. The numerical results are correlated with experimental data obtained for four treated specimens by direct comparison of the frequency response functions (FRFs) and by using FRF-based correlation indicators. The analyzed finite element models are found to provide very reliable results when compared with experimental acquired data.