Dynamic characterization of tapered laminated composite sandwich plates partially treated with magnetorheological elastomer

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamic performance of the partially treated magnetorheological elastomer tapered composite sandwich plates. Various partially treated tapered magnetorheological elastomer laminated composite sandwich plate models are formulated by dropping-off the plies longitudinally in top and bottom composite face layers to yield tapered plates as the face layers. The uniform rubber and magnetorheological elastomer materials are considered as the core layer. The governing differential equations of motion of the various partially treated magnetorheological elastomer tapered composite sandwich plate configurations are derived using classical laminated plate theory and solved numerically. Further, silicon-based magnetorheological elastomer and natural rubber are being fabricated and tested to identify the various mechanical properties. The effectiveness of the developed finite element formulation is demonstrated by comparing the results obtained with experimental tests and available literature. Also, various partially treated magnetorheological elastomer tapered laminated composite sandwich plates are considered to the study the effect of location and size of magnetorheological elastomer segment on various dynamic properties under various boundary conditions. The effects of magnetic field on the variation of natural frequencies and loss factors of the various partially treated magnetorheological elastomer tapered laminated composite sandwich plate configurations are analysed at different boundary conditions. Also, the effect of taper angle of top and bottom layers, aspect ratio, ply orientations on the natural frequencies of different configurations are analysed. Further, the transverse vibration responses of three different partially treated magnetorheological elastomer tapered laminated composite sandwich plate configurations under harmonic excitation are analysed at various magnetic fields. This analysis suggests that the location and size of the magnetorheological elastomer segments strongly influence the natural frequency, loss factor and transverse displacements of the partially treated magnetorheological elastomer tapered laminated composite sandwich plates apart from the intensities of the applied magnetic field. This shows the applicability of partial treatment to critical components of a large structure to achieve a more efficient and compact vibration control mechanism with variable damping.