Motion mode of the optimal damping particle in particle dampers

Abstract

To explore the optimal damping mechanism of Particle dampers (PDs), experimental studies on the relationship between the optimal damping performance of PDs and the motion mode of damping particles in PDs were conducted. First, the damping performance of PDs under a certain initial condition was investigated via cantilever system experiments. Then a simple evaluation of the effective mass and effective damping of PDs was performed by fitting the experimental data to an equivalent Single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system without damping particles. Finally, the motion mode of damping particles playing the optimal damping effect was determined by vibration table tests with the corresponding control parameters used in the cantilever system experiments. The study results indicate that when the optimal damping performance of PDs is obtained, the granular Leidenfrost effect, whereby the entire damping particle bed is levitated above the vibrating base by a layer of highly energetic particles, is observed in PDs. The optimal damping performance of PDs is mainly caused by the dissipative properties of damping particles in Leidenfrost state.