INVESTIGATION ON VIBRATION ENERGY FLOW CHARACTERISTICS IN COUPLED PLATES BY VISUALIZAITON TECHNIQUES

Abstract

The transmission and distribution of vibration energy flow in coupled plates are studied by the vibration intensity method together with visualization technique. Formulations for vibration intensity calculations and streamline representation, and the equations for energy flow are presented. The intensity vector, streamline map and energy distribution of coupled plates subject to a point force excitation are calculated and visualized to predict vibration energy transmission. The vibrational energy flows are very complex and dependent on the excitation frequencies, junction forms and boundaries. The energy sources, sinks, transmission paths and vortex fields are clearly shown with visualization technique. It is shown that the main flow of energy is not simply from force point to damper with increasing frequencies. When the energy flow reaches the boundaries at some frequencies, the vibration intensity is reflected and some virtual sources or sinks are formed. Vortex fields which indicate relatively amounts of energy can be observed in the coupled plates. The vibration intensity method together with visualization techniques provides a powerful tool for vibration control.