Analysis of Damped Free Vibration of Composite Sandwich Beam Reinforced by Ferromagnetic Elastomer: an Experimental and Numerical Investigation

The present study concerns the experimental and numerical analysis of free vibrations of magnetorheological elastomer sandwich beams subjected to different support conditions at both ends. The mechanical properties of these materials change continuously depending on the applied external excitations (temperature, frequency, magnetic field, etc.). The natural frequencies and deformation modes are obtained by experimental analysis and also by numerical simulation using Abaqus calculation code. The results found showed the influence of the adjustable mechanical properties of the magnetorheological elastomer on the natural frequencies of the beam for different boundary conditions, especially the adaptive control of the damping of magnetorheological elastomer structures that minimizes the propagation of mechanical vibrations; this technique allows to avoid fatigue and rupture of the structure. A good agreement was obtained between the numerical results and those of experimental tests.