511

DAMPING INSERTS IN VIBRATING STRUCTURES

By C. J. Wolfe*, C. J. Woodst and C. Andrew$
A method is presented for the prediction of the response of a vibrating system after the
introduction of a damping insert between two distinct co-ordinates of the system, and
procedures are given for the optimization of such inserts. T h e method can be extended to
predict the effect of breaking the system and introducing a damping insert into the break,
and may utilize the experimentally measured characteristics of both the original system
and the damping insert.
Butyl rubber inserts are found to reduce vibration amplitudes of models of typical
engineering structures by as much as a factor of 4.

INTRODUCTION Hysteretic damping coefficient.

VIBRATIONof an engineering structure is often detrimental Constant in-phase stiffness.
to its function, and reduction of the vibration amplitude For the above two symbols, the subscript s
is desirable. This may be achieved by increasing the level denotes the main system, and the subscript
of energy dissipation in the structure, either by modifying b denotes the damping elements.
the structure directly or by the addition of a damped Factor of improvement.
vibration absorber. Complex dynamic stiffness.
Falcon, Stone, Simcock and Andrew (I), in their work Constant in-phase stiffness in series with
on the optimization of damped vibration absorbers, have damping elements for the parallel modifi-
developed graphical techniques of manipulating recept- cation.
ances, on which part of this work is based. Stone and Vibrating mass.
Andrew (2) have shown that butyl rubber pads form effec- Number of damping elements.
tive and convenient damping elements. The purpose of the Optimum number of damping elements.
present work is to investigate the effects of inserting such In-phase component of complex dynamic
damping elements into a structure. It is desirable to be stiffness.
able to optimize the size, shape and material characteristics Quadrature component of complex dynamic
of an insert, and its position within any given structure. stiffness.
The present work, however, is restricted to optimizing the Relative dynamic receptances of systems A, B,
number of inserts of a specified type at certain specified C and B* respectively. For these symbols,
positions. the first pair of subscripts denotes the co-
ordinates between which the displacement is
Notation measured, and the second pair of subscripts
F Vector of harmonic force F elu'. denotes the co-ordinates between which
X Vector of harmonic displacement X elwt. forcing takes place.
For the above symbols, single subscripts de- Damping angle of damping element =
note absolute quantities, and double sub- tan-' ( h b l k b ) .
scrips denote relative quantities. Angle defining slope of main system dynamic
stiffness locus.
The M S . of this paper was received at the Institution on 8th August Forcing frequency.
1968 and accepted for publication on 5th March 1969. 24
* G.K.N. (Screws and Fasteners) Ltd; formerly Department of
Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol. ANALYSIS
t Royal Air Force (Engineering Branch); formerly Department of The general case of a vibrating system is shown diagram-
Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol.
$ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol, matically in Fig. 1. The elements of the system are
Queen's Building, University Walk, Bristol 8. Member of the assumed to be linear, such that the response to a harmonic
Institution.
$ References are given in Appendix 3. force of the form F elWtis a harmonic displacement of the
JOURNAL MECHANICAL E N G I N E B R l N G S C I E N C E Vol I 1 No 5 1969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016

512 C. J. WDLFE, C. J. WOODS AND C. ANDREW

c b d
:y-q
r----------

! n
7

Fig. 1. Block diagram of structure and modification

form X etWt.A term of the form Pa, = X,/Fb,where X,is
j
I
I
For an idealized single-degree-of-freedom system, this
is equivalent to inserting the modification in parallel with
the main system stiffness, as in Fig. 2a.
A different approach must be used when the original
system is to be broken, and a modification inserted into the
break. Breaking the system is equivalent to removing an
infinitely stiff link from between two adjacent co-ordinates,
say m and n. Equation (1) does not predict the response of
the absolute displacement vector at point a and F , is the a system in which one element is removed and replaced
absolute force vector at point by is called an absolute by another; it can only predict the result of adding two
dynamic receptance. The properties of such absolute systems together. So to predict the result of replacing the
receptances are discussed at length in (3). link mn by modification C, an intermediate original
It is shown in Appendix 1 that the concept of absolute system denoted by B* in which the link mn has been
receptances can be extended to that of relative recep- removed must be considered, and modification C added
tances; a relative receptance can be defined in the form to this system to give system A. A general receptance of
lg(,,)(,,) = Xp,/F,,, in which X,, is the relative displace- this final system is then given by:
ment between co-ordinates p and q, and F,, is the internal
force between co-ordinates r and s. An internal force
between two co-ordinates can be defined as the equivalent It should be noted that receptances of the B and B*
of two absolute forces, equal in magnitude but opposite in systems are related by the expression :
direction, one acting at each co-ordinate; it frequently
arises in practice in the form of action and reaction. It is
assumed that specified, but not necessarily identical,
directions of relative displacement measurement and The receptance must now be compared with the
internal force application are implicit in the definition of corresponding receptance of the original system, B(,,)(, ,).
the co-ordinates. For an idealized single-degree-of-freedom system, this is
Relative receptances will be used to examine the effect equivalent to inserting the modification in series with the
of introducing a modification into a structure, with certain main system stiffness, as in Fig. 2b.
restrictions on the type of modification. In particular, to
apply an internal force according to the above definition, a
modification must exert negligible inertia forces on the
original system: this means that it must either possess
negligible mass, or be placed at a position of negligible
absolute motion. Furthermore, for the present analysis it
will be assumed that forces exerted by the modifications in
directions other than those specified by co-ordinates r and
s can be neglected: this condition can be satisfied by the
characteristics of the modification and/or the displace-
ments to which it is to be subjected. This restriction is not
essential in principle, but is assumed because it enables the
mathematics to be simplified considerably.
With the above restrictions, a final composite system A
can be considered, consisting of the original system B and a Modification added in parallel with main system stiffness.
modification C joined at co-ordinates m and n as in Fig. 1.
Then any relative receptance for system A can be
derived in terms of the relative receptances of system B
and y of modification C separately, as follows:
B(ps)(mn)B(mn)(rs)
a(m)(rs) = B(pq)(rs)- * (1)
Y(mn)(mn) +B(mn)(rnn)
(See Appendix 2.)
I n this work, three special cases will be examined. When
the receptance under consideration is the direct receptance
between the co-ordinates m and n in Byand the modifica-
tion C is inserted between the same co-ordinates, equation
(1) reduces to :
1 1 1 b Modification added in series with main system stiffness.
=-----+- * * (2)
(mn)(mn) B(mn)(mn) Y(mn)(mn) Fig. 2. Idealized single-degree-of-freedom system
J O U R N A L MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE V o l l l No 5 1969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016

 DAMPING INSERTS I N VIBRATING STRUCTURES 513

Finally, the effect on a direct receptance, say Ig(pq)(pq), of Since

a modification between remote co-ordinates m and n, is 1
given by : I%2)(12)11.'2S =-
Y
nkm2hb
I = hs{(km+nk,)2+n2hb2}+1
This simplification of equation ( 1) utilizes the reciprocal
from equation (6). This reduces to a linear expression in
relationship for receptances of a linear structure, namely
k, when the value of noptfrom equation (7) is inserted:
P(pq)(mn) = P ( m n ) ( m ) *

Optimization procedures for special cases

Expressions for the effect of inserting a general massless
system C between specified points in B have been derived.
C will now be considered to consist of a number (n) of
damping elements of given characteristics, and methods
will be presented for optimizing n. Firstly an idealized
hysteretically damped single-degree-of-freedom system is
considered, hysteretic damping being a good approxima-
tion to the damping in real structures. The damping
elements are also assumed to be hysteretically damped,
having a stiffness of the form kb+ihb, so that n elements
have a stiffness n(kb+ihb). Secondly a more general case is
considered in which both the original system characteris-
tics and the damping element characteristics may be
determined experimentally.
The physical significance of the above analysis can be
demonstrated graphically, using the techniques described
in detail in (I). I n these techniques, receptances of com-
ponents of the system are plotted in an Argand diagram as
harmonic response loci with force vector as datum. They
can then be manipulated geometrically to effect addition,
subtraction, etc. In particular, they can be inverted to
describe inverse receptances or dynamic stiffnesses, which
can then also be handled geometrically. The receptance
and dynamic stiffness planes are coincident; however, for
the simple systems being considered in the present work,
8' A'
Modified system
+
z
stiffness locus

Idealized single-degree-of-freedom system

Y
z
"
OL

$ 1
( B - w increasing A
Main svstem
P stiffne; locus
Modification added in parallel with main system Stiffness
3
R
The system is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2a. The best
modification in parallel with the main system stiffness is
evidently an infinite stiffness, as this would reduce the COMPONENT
vibration to zero. This is, however, an impracticable \
solution and in practice a modification of this type is
limited to a finite stiffness (k,) in series with a finite
number n of damping elements. The relevant receptances
are given by Damping elements

1
P(12)(12) =
(k,-mw 2, ih, + a Modification added in parallel with main system stiffness.
1 1
and Y(lZ)(lZ) =
+n(kb -k ih b )
These are now substituted into equation (2) which can Modified system
n increasing
then be rearranged to give the in-phase ( x ) and quadrature
(Y) components of 1 / % 2 , , 1 2 , . 8
At resonance, the in-phase component of l/a,,,,,,,, is Y
cc
3 IN-PHASE
zero, and the modulus of l/a(12)(12) isy. T o reduce o ~ ( ~ ~ ) ( ~ ~ 5
) 0 COMPONENT
a
to a minimum with respect to n,y must be maximized.
nkm2hb
Y = (k,+nkb)2+ n2hb2+" . * (6)
and the condition aylan = 0 yields
\creasing

S
The factor of improvement I is defined as the ratio of
b Modification added in series with main system stiffness.
the resonant amplitude of the unmodified system to the
resonant amplitude of the modified system. Fig. 3. Graphical optimization of damping inserts
JOURNAL MECHANICAL E N G I N E G R I N G SCIENCE Vol I 1 No 5 1969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016

514 C. J. WOLFE, C. J. WOODS AND C. ANDREW

receptances lie below the real axis, and stiffnesses lie equation (3) and rearranging, l / a ( 1 3 ) ( 1can
j ) be written in
above. the form
The harmonic response locus of the relative receptance 1
across n damping elements, l/[n(kb+ihb)],can be repre- -- - x+;y
3x13)
a(l
sented in the Argand diagram in Fig. 3a by a point on the
line OQ, where the slope of OQ is -tan-' hb/kb,and the and as before, y must be maximized to minimize a(13)(13)at
length of the receptance vector along OQ is inversely resonance.
proportional to n. The response locus is a point because
the receptance is independent of frequency. The locus of
the insert receptance to be optimized is then represented Differentiating with respect to n, and equating to zero
by a point on the line CS, where OC = l / k m ,since yields a quadratic equation, the roots of which are:
1 1 -h,S'P'f S2P.\/(h,2P2-2h,hbQ2+h,2S2)
Y(12)(12) = L + . ( k b + i h b )
n0,t =
P2(2hsQ' -hbS ')
The line CS can be inverted to give the arc of a circle, . . . (11)
ORH, representing the variation of the point loci of the
insert dynamic stiffness with number of damping ele- where P' = (kb2+hb2)
ments, n. If the main system dynamic stiffness, 1//3(12)(12), Q' = (Mb+hshJ
is given by the frequency locus AB, then the modified S 2 = (k,2+hs')
system dynamic stiffness, l / a ~ l , ~ ~can
l , ~be
, derived by Again, the analysis may be conveniently described
adding to all frequency points on AB a modification graphically. For two complex stiffnesses Kl(w), Kz(w)
stiffness vector such as OR (by equation (2)). The optimum added in series:
modification is that which will cause the modified system
dynamic stiffness to be greatest at the resonant condition, 1 1 1
i.e. where it cuts the quadrature axis. From- Fig. 3a, this
optimum condition corresponds to the modification vector where K,(w)is the equivalent complex stiffness. So for the
OP. The value of n at P is obtained by inverting P to P* modified system (Fig. 26),
and reading off the corresponding value of nopt. 1 1 1
This procedure may be used as a straightforward
graphical technique for optimizing the insert. Further-
more, the case when the main system dynamic stiffness l / K , ( w ) is represented by the line CS (Fig. 36) where
near resonance can be represented by a straight line not OC = l/(ks+ihs), and K,(w) is represented by the arc of
parallel to the real axis may be dealt with by this method. a circle ORH obtained by inverting CS. ~ ( ( 1 3 ) ( 1 3for
) the
For this : particular value of n at R is represented by a horizontal line
through R. Evidently the optimum value of n occurs when
nopt =
k, [tan 0/2+ tan $/2
.\/(kb2+hb2) tan 0/2-tan $/2 * (9) ] R coincides with P. The value of this optimum may be
found by inverting P to P* and reading off the corre-
where tan 8 = hb/kb,and tan $ = slope of main system sponding value of nopt.
characteristic. Inspection of Fig. 3b shows than when H coincides with
P, no improvement can be made by the insertion of any
Modification added in series with main system stifiness number of damping elements. So no improvement is
possible when
The system is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 26. I n this
case the infinitely stiff link 23 has been removed and re-
placed by a finite number of damping elements. The
relevant receptances are given by: and in these circumstances the insertion of any finite
number of damping elements will make the response
worse.

Multi-degree-of-freedom system: modification

added remote from position of forcing
For systems having more than one degree of freedom the
type of analysis outlined above becomes intractable, and a
1 numerical procedure has to be used. The direct receptance
Y(!23)(23)=
+
n(kb ihb)
cq12)(12)is calculated, using equation (5), at discrete
frequencies over the range being considered for various
where the p* receptances refer to the 'broken' system B* values of y ( 3 4 ) ( 3 4and
) the lowest resonant receptance
formed by removing the link 23. On substituting in determined by inspection. Experimentally determined
JOURNAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE Vol I 1 No 5 1969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016

 DAMPING INSERTS I N VIBRATING STRUCTURES 515

characteristics are used and this numerical procedure
involves no assumptions about the system or the modifica-
tion other than the linearity condition implicit in equation
(1).
Although in principle this numerical procedure is very
simple, the work involved in calculating the modified
receptance over a range of frequencies for each
c((12)c12),
value of n considered, is long and tedious, and the use of a
digital computer is essential.
APPARATUS AND EXPERIMENTAL
PROCEDURE
Instrumentation and calibration of instruments
The experimental procedure required the measurement
of frequency, harmonic forces and displacements and the
phase between them. Frequency was measured using a
digital frequency meter. The force/displacement ratio was
measured using a piezo-electric force transducer in
conjunction with a capacitative displacement transducer;
the amplitude and phase of the output signals were
measured by a phasemeter.
The force-displacement transducer pair was calibrated
by using it to measure the response of a known mass
seismically suspended and electromagnetically excited
over a range of frequencies. A phase lag, varying from -3"
at 50 Hz to -6" at 160 Hz between the force and
displacement signals was noted. This arose because the
displacement and force amplifiers were not identical.
Subsequent measurements were corrected accordingly.
Single-degree-of-freedom system
Modifiation added in parallel with main system stiffness
The apparatus is sketched in Fig. 4, showing the system
with modification included. The main system consisted
basically of a rectangular-section mild-steel beam sup-
ported at its ends, the whole assembly being mounted on
an isolated massive concrete base. An electromagnetic
exciter clamped to the base applied force through the
force transducer to the centre of the beam, and acted as a
mounting for the displacement transducer and the modi-
fication. The main system was damped by butyl rubber
damping elements clamped between the base and the
beam by screw-jacks. The fundamental frequency of the
beam and the level of damping in the system were chosen
to be similar to those of typical machine tool structures,
namely w , = 120 Hz and Q 2: 20.
The modification was made in two parts to maintain
symmetry, and these were inserted close to the centre of
the beam between the beam itself and a cast iron spacer
bolted to the exciter.
The damping elements in the modification consisted of
. moulded butyl rubber damping pads, 0.5 in diameter and
0.25 in thick, as described in (2). These were squeezed
between the beam and aluminium cones, which rested in
turn on linear springs, made by machining a slot in a piece
of mild steel bar. The springs were bolted directly to the
cast iron spacer.
Preload on the butyl rubber pads was maintained at a
constant value per pad by inserting shims between the
cones and the springs. The receptance c1(12)(12) was meas-
ured for different numbers of damping elements, n,
and the optimum found by plotting cr(12)(12) against n. This
was repeated for several values of the modification stiffness,
k,, in the form of pairs of linear springs of different
stiffness.
Modijkation added in series with main system stiffness
The apparatus, with modification included, is shown
schematically in Fig. 5. The main system consisted of a
mass supported on aluminium cones clamped to the same
linear springs and exciter as used in the previous case, the
whole being mounted on the concrete base. Damping was
provided by butyl rubber pads in the slots of the linear
springs: natural frequency and level of damping were

SECTION ON A A SECTION ON BB
Main system
ment transducer pads

*l

1
Electromagnetic exciter

Fig. 4. Single-degree-of-freedom model: modification added in parallel with main system stiffness
JOURNAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE Vol I 1 No 5 I969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016

516 C. J. WOLFE, C. J. WOODS AND C. ANDREW

mass

Force
transducc
springs

---*- --.> I'

Main system
damping pads

transducer
omitted

SECTION ON CC I
.c-j
Fig. 5. Single-degree-of-freedom model: modification added in series with main system stiffness

selected to be similar to those of the beam system, and
were determined by measuring the direct receptance
/?(13)(13). A displacement transducer was mounted between
the exciter and the mass.
The modification consisted of butyl rubber pads
inserted between the cones and the mass. These were pre-
loaded by low-rate coil springs to the same value of pre-
load per pad as used in the previous case. Again, the
resonant receptance a ( 1 3 ) ( 1 3 ) was measured for different
values of n, and the optimum found by plotting c ~ ( 1 3 ) ( 1 3 )
against n. This was repeated for a number of main systems
of different mass and spring stiffness.
Multi-degree-of-freedom system: modification
added r e m o t e from position of forcing
The apparatus, with modification included, is shown
schematically in Fig. 6 and without modification, as set up
for measurement of the main system characteristics, in a
photograph in Fig. 7. It consisted basically of an adapta-
tion of the simple beam system, having a second beam
attached asymmetrically to the main beam. Additional
main system damping was included by means of a damping
pad and screw jack between the two beams. Two exciters
and force-displacement transducer pairs were mounted
as shown in Fig. 7.
The modification was introduced between co-ordinates
3 and 4 as shown in Fig. 6 . A stiff rod connected a bridge
across the exciter spacer ring, through a hole in the main
beam, to an aluminium disc at the top. Damping pads
were sandwiched between the disc and the asymmetric
beam: the preload on the pads was initially adjusted by a
preloading spring when the disc was free of the connect-
ing rod, and the two were then locked together. This pro-
cedure ensured that the presence of the modification did
not affect the preload on the damping pads in the main
system.
The receptances 8 ( 1 2 ) ( 1 2 D p(12)(34), 8 ( 3 4 ) < 1 2 ) and p ( 3 4 ) ( 3 4 )
were measured at small intervals of frequency over the
range of interest, all displacements being measured at the
same frequency setting of a stable oscillator. This pro-
cedure was necessary because of the combined effects of
the susceptibility of equation (5) to small errors in the

Displacement Preload
Moin system adjustment\ ,Modification
Force transducer
\
dornping \ \

Fig. 6. Multi-degree-of-freedom system: nzodifcation added

JOURNAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE Vol I 1 No 5 1969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016

 DAMPING INSERTS IN VIBRATING STRUCTURES 517

Fig. 7. Multi-degree-of-freedom model: set up for receptance measurements

phase angle of the measured vectors, and the high rate of
change of phase angle with frequency near resonance.
The modification was then inserted between co-ordi-
nates 3 and 4 and the receptance o(12)(12)
measured at the
given by 1c, N 2". Because the slope is small, the application
of equation (9) produces essentially the same value of nOpt
as equation (7).
The experimental variation of the receptance c ( ( ~ ~ ) at( ~ ~ )

same discrete frequencies. resonance with number of pads is compared with the
theoretical curve obtained from equation (6) in Fig. 8a.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION O F Similar curves were obtained for several other values of
RESULTS modification stiffness (k,,,).The curves near the minima are
Single-degree-of-freedom system very flat. This has three important consequences:
Modification added in parallel with main system stiffness (1) Changes in c ~ ( ~ ~ near
) ( ~ the
~ ) minima are of the
The harmonic response locus of l//3(lz~(lz) is approximately same order as the experimental errors, so it is difficult
a straight line in the region of resonance with a small slope to estimate the values of noptfrom the curves.

4, I I I I
-Experimental
Theoretical

z
V

s
0
V
Y

E '
-- 7

5
OF PADS
NUMBER
b Modification added in series with main system stiffness. Main
system damping ratio h,/kg = 0.0805.
Fig. 8. Variation of resonant receptance with number of butyl rubber pads
JOURNAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE Vol I 1 No 5 1969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016

 '

518 C. J. WOLFE, C. J. WOODS AND C. ANDREW

(2) Discrepancies between the theoretical and experi-
mental values of nOpthave no significant effect on the
reduction of vibration amplitude.
(3) Fine control of nopt,e.g. by variation in prestress,
though possible, is unnecessary.
The effect of modification stiffness on the factor of
improvement is shown in Fig. 9 a ; the experimental results
are within 8 per cent of the theoretical straight line
obtained from equation (8). As anticipated in the theory,
an infinite modification stiffness would produce an infinite
factor of improvement.
It has been assumed for the purpose of analysis that the
characteristics of the damping elements are independent
of frequency, but Stone and Andrew (2) have shown that
the characteristics of butyl rubber pads are frequency
dependent. Since the insertion of an increasing number of
pads changes the resonant frequency of the system, this
frequency dependence would affect the results. The effect
is small, however, for the range of frequencies encountered
(130-150 Hz), as confirmed by the correlation of the
results, the maximum error being approximately 8 per
cent.
Modification added in series with main system stiffness
The experimental variation of the receptance a(13)(13) at
resonance is compared with the theoretical curve obtained
from equation (10) in Fig. 8b. Similar curves were
IN-PHASE COMPONENT-in x l O - 4 / Ibf
-2 -1 0 1

- Theoretical
30
I-
z
w
II
2.5
0
a
(L

-
II

;;20
az
0
+
V
4

LL 1.5

1.0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 10
RATIO OF MODIFICATION STIFFNESS TO
MAIN SYSTEM STIFFNESS, &,,,/k, I I '- 4 i
u Modification in parallel with main system stiffness. u Before modification.

b IN-PHASE COMPONENT- in x l O - 4 / l b f
2 I 0 I

5
k-
z
w

z
>
2L 4
I
u-
0
3
nz
0
V
I-

LL
a
2

I
0 0.02 0.04 0-06 0.08 0.1
l -
J
- -o--
Experimental
Predicted
I
1
'-3
QUADRATURE
COMPONENT-
1
i n x lD-'/lbf
I
MAIN SYSTEM DAMPING RATIO, h,/k,
b After modification.
b Modification in series with main system stiffness.
Fig. 10. Harmonic response locus of direct receptance for
Fig. 9. Effect of original system parameters on improvement multi-degree-of-freedom model
JOURNAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE Vol I 1 No 5 1969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016

 DAMPING INSERTS IN VIBRATING STRUCTURES 519

obtained for several other spring-mass systems. Again the
curves are flat near the minima and consequences similar
to those detailed in the discussion of the previous case
arise.
The effect of main system damping ratio h,/ks on the
factor of improvement is shown in Fig. 9b. The resonant
frequencies in this series of tests varied from 90 to 170 Hz
(compared with 130 to 150 Hz in the first series) so greater
errors due to the frequency dependent characteristics of
the rubber would be expected. The maximum error in the
factor of improvement was found to be 13 per cent
(compared with 8 per cent in the first series of tests).
Multi-degree-of-freedom system: modification
added remote f r o m position of forcing
The harmonic response locus of the direct receptance
/3(12)(12) for the unmodified system is shown in Fig. 10a.
This locus shows the high rate of change of phase angle
with frequency near resonance which makes stability of
frequency during the tests very important.
The variation of the calculated largest resonant recep-
tances of the modified system with number of pads is
shown in Fig. 1 1 . The necessity for an optimizing tech-
nique is shown by the large variation of the maximum
receptance: for any number of pads in excess of 50 the
resonant receptance is greater than that for the unmodified
system. There is a pronounced minimum on this curve, so
small errors in the number of pads inserted would lead to
significant changes in the value of receptance at resonance.
Fine control, by means of variation of prestress, may be
desirable in these circumstances.
Fig. 10b shows the harmonic response locus obtained
after the insertion of two pads between co-ordinates 3 and
4. The effectiveness of equation (5) in predicting the
response is shown by the close agreement between the
3 and 4 bolted together, so the optimum insert is the same.
This is a general example of the improvement of a struc-
ture by opening an existing joint, and for the model tested
the factor of improvement is 2.3.
CONCLUSIONS
A method is presented for the prediction of the response
of a complex system after the addition of a damping insert
of negligible mass between any two co-ordinates of the
system, and procedures are given for the optimization of
such inserts. These techniques can also be used to predict
the effects of breaking the structure, and introducing a
damping insert into the break. The predictions were
verified experimentally and significant improvements in
the characteristics of the system were obtained.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The whole of the work described was carried out in the
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of
Bristol, and the authors would like to thank Professor
J. L. M. Morrison, C.B.E., Head of Department, for his
encouragement. They would also like to thank Dr B. J.
Stone for his ready advice and assistance.
APPENDIX 1
DEVELOPMENT OF T H E CONCEPT OF RELATIVE
RECEPTANCES
Consider a general vibrating structure having n co-ordi-
nates at which forcing is possible (Fig. 1). The equations
defining absolute receptances are
X I = P I I F I + P I ~ *F* ~* P l n F n
X2 = P21F1+P22F2 . * * P 2 n F n
Xn = P n l F l + P n 2 F 2 * -- PnnFn

experimental and calculated results. The factor of im- and in general

provement for this system is 1.7. n

The same measurements would be needed to predict the Xi = PirF, . . . . . . (12)

r=l
optimum insert if the original system had the co-ordinates Let the relative displacement between co-ordinates i and j
be X i , ( i # j ) . Then
Xij = Xi-Xj . . . (13) .
Let the internal force between co-ordinates r and s be
F,, (r # s). Then
F,, = F, = -F, . . * (14)
Equations relating X i , and F,, may now be written, com-
bining equations (12), (13) and (14):
n n
Xi, = C C
r=ls=r+l
(Pir-8is-Pjr+P,s>Frs (15)
This gives Xi, as a linear function of Frs. Relative
receptances may be defined, by equations similar to (12):
x12 = )8(12)(12)F12+8(12)(13)F13 * P(12)(mn)Fmn
( m = n-1)
NUMBER OF PADS x13 = &13)(12)F12+P(13 (13)F13 * * * f i ( l S ) ( m n ) F m n
Fig. 1 1 . Variation of predicted resonant receptance with
number of pads, for multi-degree-of-freedom model X m n = B(rnn)(12)Fl2+P(mn)(13)Fl3 - * * P(mn)(rnn)Fmn
JOURNAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE Vol 11 No 5 1969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016

520 C. J . WOLFE, C. J. WOODS AND C. ANDREW

and in general and for system A:

n n
= B(pq)(rs)(Frs)B+B(pq,cmn,(Fmn)s (22)
Xij = 2 C
r=ls=r+l
B<ij)(rsPrs - * (16)
and
(XpdA

By comparing coefficients in equations (15) and (16), the (Xmn>A = r6(mn)(rs)(Frs)B+B(mn,(nin)(Fmn)B (23)
relative receptances j l ( i j ) ( r s ) may be expressed in terms of Substitute equations (19), (20) and (21) in equation (23)
absolute receptances : and solve for (Fmn)B:
B(ij)(rs) = (Bir-Bis-Bjr+Bjs> * . (17) B(mn)(rs)
(Frs)B * (24)
( F m n ) ~ = -Y(mn)(mn)+P(mn)(mn)
APPENDIX 2
Now substitute for ( F m J Bin equation (22), using
RELATIVE RECEPTANCES-APPLICATION TO equation (24) and rearrange to give:
MODIFICATION O F STRUCTURES
Consider the addition of a system C, having negligible
mass, between co-ordinates m and n of system B (Fig. l), Then, by the definition of a(pq)(rs) (equation (17)):
giving a modified system A.
CL ( p q ) ( r S ) is defined by the equation :

APPENDIX 3
Let the force exerted by system C on system B be (FnJB, REFERENCES

and let the force exerted by B on C be (FmJc.Then (I) FALCON, K. C., STONE, B. J., SIMCOCK,W. D. and ANDREW, C.
Optimization of vibration absorbers : a graphical method
(Fmn)B = -(Fmn)C - . . (19) for use on idealized systems with restricted damping,
For compatibility of displacements at mn: JI mech. Engng Sci. 1967 9 (No. 5), 374.
(2) STONE, B. J. and ANDREW, C. Optimization of vibration
(xmn).4 = (xmn)B = (Xmn)C * . (20) absorbers : application to complex structures, JZ mech.
For system C: Engng Sci. 1969 11 (No. 3), 221.
(3) BISHOP,R. E. D. and JOHNSON, D. C. The mechanics of
(Xmnlc = Y(mn)(mn)(Fmn)c . * (21) vibration 1960 (Cambridge University Press, London).

JOURNAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE Vol I1 No 5 1969

Downloaded from jms.sagepub.com at UNIV CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA on June 8, 2016