Title: Metallic inserts as a tool to alter the structural damping of joined structures

Authors: Henrik Wentzel, Marten Olsson, Martin Oberg

Addresses: Department of Solid Mechanics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. ' Department of Solid Mechanics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. ' Department of Solid Mechanics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: The dynamic response of joined structures, notably the amplification of vibrations, is strongly influenced by the characteristics of the joints. Bolted joints are non-linear both in stiffness and magnitude of energy dissipation, and structures assembled with bolted joints inherit these non-linearities. This largely experimental study shows how thin metallic inserts in the contact region may serve as a tool to alter the non-linear properties of the joint and in this way increase or decrease the level of equivalent viscous damping in the structure. Both quasi-static and dynamic measurements have been performed and a mathematical model trimmed to the static measurements has been shown to produce valid results also for dynamic simulations.

Keywords: structural damping; joints; metallic inserts; joint models; friction; energy dissipation; dynamic response; vibration amplification; bolted joints; viscous damping; stiffness; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2008.018974

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2008 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.152 - 167

Published online: 26 Jun 2008 *

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