Performance analysis of vertical smart isolator based on magnetorheological elastomer

Abstract

ABSTRACT As one of the field-dependent smart materials whose stiffness and damping properties can change instantaneously and reversibly, magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) has been extensively utilized on base isolation for vibration reduction. However, most previous studies have focused on the shear dynamic performance of MRE isolators, and there are few reports on the vertical extrusion performance of basic isolators within construction equipment. In this paper, MRE materials with strong bearing capacity and suitable vertical stiffness were fabricated by comprehensively considering the selection of raw materials, particle ratio, and sample size. The tension-compression viscoelasticity of the prepared MRE under varying magnetic fields and strain amplitudes was experimentally evaluated using an MRE axial MR testing system. Eventually, a single-degree-of-freedom dynamic test rig for vibration isolation of equipment in buildings, which integrates a vertical isolator with MRE as the core component, was constructed to perform a series of experimental investigations on the alterable frequency vibration capability of the designed MRE vertical isolator. The test results reveal that the controllable stiffness-damping properties of the prepared MRE in the axial tension-compression mode can enable the developed vertical isolator to exhibit superior frequency shifting and vibration attenuating characteristics in structural vibration.