Design of hyperbolic quasi-zero stiffness metastructures coupled with nonlinear stiffness for low-frequency vibration isolation

Abstract

Quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) metastructures with simple structures exhibit a high low-frequency vibration isolation performance, but the bearing capacity and working regions are limited due to the linear positive stiffness elements. In this study, a novel hyperbolic QZS metastructure coupled with nonlinear stiffness is designed by combining a pair of cosine-shaped beams and arc-shaped beams for low-frequency vibration isolation. Finite element models (FEM) and experimental analysis are utilized to examine the static characteristics of the metastructure, revealing a wide QZS region and significant load-bearing capacity. The metastructure can achieve effective vibration isolation properties through reasonably designing the unit cells. The influence of geometrical parameters on the QZS region is investigated to optimize and realize desirable QZS features. The dynamic equation and response of the vibration isolation system are determined using the harmonic balance method. Moreover, the corresponding displacement transmissibility is confirmed by numerical simulation. The results of the dynamic sweep frequency experiment further verify the validity of the theoretical analysis model. The hyperbolic QZS metastructure system possesses good vibration isolation performance due to the introduction and compensation of a nonlinear positive stiffness arc beam element. The proposed hyperbolic QZS metastructure provides a significant route for the stiffness compensation of metastructures.