Passive vibration control of plate using nodal patterns of mode shape

Abstract

Passive constrained layer damping (PCLD) is nowadays a general method for reducing vibrations. Constrained layer damping (CLD) is a very good technology in terms of reducing vibration energy. This paper deals with optimal damping of first three modes of a thin square cantilever plate by constrained viscoelastic layers which are positioned according to the nodal patterns of the mode. In essence, the CLD patches are cut according to the nodal patterns and then applied on to the bare plate. Thus, this approach uses prior information of the deformation patterns of the plate. The ABAQUS finite element analysis software was used to create viscoelastically damped plate models subjected to forced vibration. The direct steady-state dynamic analysis was used to obtain the frequency response functions from which the resonance frequencies of the models were derived. Vibration control using nodal pattern CLD patches is a better way to apply CLD treatment to a plate. This is because the mode shapes give good predictions of where the maximum strains are in the plate as well as the design and size of the damping patches required. It is believed that the methodology proposed in this research work is capable of providing good results.