Hysteretically Symmetrical Evolution of Elastomers-Based Vibration Isolators within α-Fractional Nonlinear Computational Dynamics

Abstract

This study deals with computational analysis of vibration isolators' behavior, using the fractional-order differential equations (FDE). Numerical investigations regarding the influences of α-fractional derivatives have been mainly focused on the dissipative component within the differential constitutive equation of rheological model. Two classical models were considered, Voigt-Kelvin and Van der Pol, in order to develop analyses both on linear and nonlinear formulations. The aim of this research is to evaluate the operational capability, provided by the α-fractional derivatives within the viscous component of certain rheological model, to enable an accurate response regarding the realistic behavior of elastomeric-based vibration isolators. The hysteretic response followed, which has to be able to assure the symmetry of dynamic evolution under external loads, and at the same time, properly providing dissipative and conservative characteristics in respect of the results of experimental investigations. Computational analysis was performed for different values of α-fractional order, also taking into account the integer value, in order to facilitate the comparison between the responses. The results have shown the serviceable capability of the α-fractional damping component to emulate, both a real dissipative behavior, and a virtual conservative characteristic, into a unitary way, only by tuning the α-order. At the same time, the fractional derivative models are able to preserve the symmetry of hysteretic behavior, comparatively, e.g., with rational-power nonlinear models. Thereby, the proposed models are accurately able to simulate specific behavioral aspects of rubber-like elastomers-based vibration isolators, to the experiments.