Vibration Control of a Flexible Beam with Embedded Shape Memory Alloy Wire

Abstract

Structural vibrations can damage systems and lead to high cycle fatigue, excess noise or even catastrophic failure. The research presented herein aims to quantify the effect of embedded shape memory alloy (SMA) wire as an active suppression system to mitigate such vibrations in a flexible clamped-free beam. A silicone beam with embedded SMA wire was designed. Natural frequencies were calculated using a frequency response function (FRF) at varying temperatures. Experiments resulted in an average natural frequency shift of 44.7% and an amplitude decrease of 34% at the tip of the beam. Control samples were created using the same dimensions and silicone material. One control sample contained embedded aluminum wire while the other sample contained no embedded material. The addition of the unactuated SMA wire resulted in an average natural frequency shift of 160% and amplitude decrease of 44.6% while the actuated SMA wire resulted in a shift of 258% and amplitude decrease of 63.6%. The natural frequency of the embedded aluminum wire sample remained the same at low and high temperatures, leading to the conclusion that the frequency shift of the SMA sample was a result of the shape memory effect.