Experimental and Numerical Study of Auxetic Structures for Vibration Attenuation

Due to their distinct mechanical properties, auxetic structures exhibit substantial potential for attenuating low-frequency vibrations. This study presents a comprehensive methodology for evaluating their vibration performance, combining numerical modeling, prototype fabrication, and experimental testing. First, numerical simulations were conducted using ANSYS to analyze the dynamic behavior of various chiral configurations (trichiral, anti-trichiral, chiral, and hex achiral) across a frequency range of 0 to 3000 Hz. Modal and frequency response analyses were performed to identify natural modes and assess energy dissipation by calculating the Damping Loss Factor (DLF). Next, prototypes were created using 3D printing with PLA material and tested experimentally in a clamped-free setup. The experimental results were compared to numerical predictions to validate the model's accuracy and optimize design parameters. This study's findings highlight the effectiveness of chiral structures for vibration attenuation, paving the way for new applications in acoustics and vibration control in the transportation and building sectors.