Study on the Nonlinear Dynamic Characteristics of Spherical Rubber Isolators by Experiments and Simulations Based on Harmonic Balance Method

Abstract

This study aims to elucidate the nonlinear characteristics (dynamic stiffness and damping) of a thin-walled hallowed spherical rubber isolator subjected to harmonic excitations using harmonic balance method (HBM). Firstly, harmonic excitation experiments with different loads and different acceleration levels were carried out to test the softening effect of the spherical rubber isolator. The dependence of the dynamic stiffness and damping of the spherical rubber isolator on the displacement amplitude was established. Secondly, the [Formula: see text]th harmonic of the experimental time signal was extracted, and the nonlinear contribution of the second and third harmonics to the experimental results was verified. Finally, the simulations were performed and the results were in line with the experimental results. Our study identifies that the nonlinear model is feasible to predict the vibration characteristic of the thin-walled hallowed spherical rubber isolation systems.