Title: Viscoelastic models for rubber mounts: influence on the dynamic behaviour of an elastomeric isolated system

Authors: M.J. Garcia Tarrago, N. Gil-Negrete, J. Vinolas

Addresses: Department of Applied Mechanics, Ceit and Tecnun (University of Navarra), Manuel Lardizabal 15, 20018 San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain. ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Ceit and Tecnun (University of Navarra), Manuel Lardizabal 15, 20018 San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain. ' Department of Applied Mechanics, Ceit and Tecnun (University of Navarra), Manuel Lardizabal 15, 20018 San Sebastian, Guipuzcoa, Spain

Abstract: The influence of the viscoelastic model employed to represent the stiffness of rubber mounts on the dynamic response of an elastomeric isolated system is investigated. A steel block supported on four rubber mounts is analysed. Each mount is characterised by its axial stiffness and two shear stiffness. Three viscoelastic models are proposed to fit the experimental stiffness of the mounts over a frequency range from 0 Hz to 50 Hz, defined by two, three and five parameters respectively. Simulations in IDEAS® are compared to dynamic measurements performed on the supporting system, showing that the Generalised-2 Maxwell model provides the best agreement.

Keywords: rubber mounts; axial stiffness; shear stiffness; viscoelastic models; modal parameters; mode shapes; vehicle design; modelling; vibration isolation; dynamic response.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2009.024960

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2009 Vol.49 No.4, pp.303 - 317

Published online: 05 May 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article