Sound transmission analysis of MR fluid based-circular sandwich panels: Experimental and finite element analysis

Abstract

Magnetorheological Fluids (MR) have been recently utilized in sandwich panels to provide variable stiffness and damping to effectively control vibrations. In this study, the sound transmission behavior of MR based-sandwich panels is investigated through development of an efficient finite element model. A clamped circular sandwich panel with elastic face sheets and MR Fluid as the core layer has been considered. A finite element model utilizing circular and annular elements has been developed to derive the governing equations of motion in the finite element form. The transverse velocity is then calculated and utilized to obtain the sound radiated from the panel and subsequently the sound transmission loss. In order to validate the simulated results, a test setup including two anechoic spaces and an electro-magnet has been designed and fabricated. The magnetic flux density generated inside the electromagnet is simulated using magneto-static finite element analysis and validated with the measured magnetic flux density using Gaussmeter. The results from magneto-static analysis is used to derive an approximate polynomial function to evaluate the magnetic flux density as a function of the plate’s radius and applied current. The STL and first axisymmetric natural frequency of the MR sandwich panels with aluminum face sheets are simulated and compared with those obtained experimentally. Finally, a parametric study on the effect of applied magnetic field, the thickness of the core layer and the thickness of face sheets on the STL and natural frequency of the adaptive sandwich panel are presented.