Design and co-optimization of a laminated isolation bearing based on magnetorheological elastomer

Abstract

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) base isolation is regarded as one of the most promising candidates in adaptive base isolation filed for civil structure. The field is rapidly evolving with significant technological advancements, while MRE device developing remains a spotlight of interest, essential for the future developments of MRE control system. Other than previous research in MRE device developing, which lacks a theoretical design combining the requirements of applied object, meanwhile, which only focus on the magnetic-controllable range without an integrated performance optimization. This report presents an efficient design and optimization of MRE isolation bearing (MRE-IB) according to the requirements of a scaled frame structure, by simultaneously considering the superior magnetic-controllable performance, low power consumption and fast current response time as the optimization objectives. After an efficient design, co-simulation and optimization, the optimized MRE-IB is manufactured and evaluated. The evaluated results verify the validity and reliability of the proposed optimization method. Besides the intrinsic importance of providing theoretical foundation and reference value for the design and optimization of MRE vibration isolators, this study can also conduce to the efficient design and optimization of other MRE devices, such as MRE absorbers, MRE buffers, and so on.