Experimental characterization and analytical modeling of a large-capacity high-damping rubber damper

Abstract

This study explores the mechanical response of a high-damping rubber damper (HRD) under different loading conditions. HRD is a typical viscoelastic damper that consists of 2 layers of elastomer compound sandwiched between 3 steel plates. The elastomer compound used in this study is a synthetic isoprene rubber reinforced with carbon black and designed to provide high damping capacity with relatively low stiffness. Four damper specimens with a displacement capacity of 75 mm at 300% shear strain were fabricated. Each damper was subjected to harmonic loading to investigate the effects of strain amplitude, loading frequency, strain history, and cyclic loading on the mechanical properties of HRD. Hysteretic force–displacement loops for each loading condition were plotted, and the variations of maximum damper force, equivalent stiffness, storage shear modulus, dissipated energy, loss factor, and equivalent viscous damping ratio with different test parameters were examined. In addition, an analytical model capable of simulating behavior of HRD at various strain amplitudes and loading frequencies was proposed. The experimental results indicate that the developed HRD can provide a damping ratio ranging from 15% to 43% under different loading conditions and has relatively stable hysteresis loops under cyclic loads. In addition, the energy dissipation capacity of the damper significantly increases when the loading frequency is over 0.5 Hz without an increase in stiffness.