Modeling of a new semi-active/passive magnetorheological elastomer isolator

• Published in: Smart materials and structures Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 45013 - 45019
• Main Authors: Behrooz, Majid, Wang, Xiaojie, Gordaninejad, Faramarz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.04.2014; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: base isolation; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; magnetorheological elastomer (MRE); Mechanical instruments, equipment and techniques; Physics; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; variable stiffness and damping; Vibration isolation; Vibration, mechanical wave, dynamic stability (aeroelasticity, vibration control...); Damping; Shear test; Magnetorheological elastomer; Displacement(deformation); Steel; Vibration isolation; Composite material; Optimization; Dynamic test; Magnetic field effect; Integrated system; Vibration control; Stiffness; Rubber; Hysteresis
• ISSN: 0964-1726; 1361-665X
• DOI: 10.1088/0964-1726/23/4/045013

This paper presents theoretical modeling of a new magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) base isolator and its performance for vibration control. The elastomeric element of the traditional steel-rubber base isolator is modified to a composite layer of passive elastomer and MRE which makes the isolator controllable with respect to its stiffness and damping. The proposed variable stiffness and damping isolator (VSDI) is designed based on an optimized magnetic field passing through MRE layers to achieve maximum changes in mechanical properties. The controllability of the VSDI is investigated experimentally under double lap shear tests. A model employing the Bouc-Wen hysteresis element is proposed to characterize the force-displacement relationship of the VSDI. An integrated system which consists of four VSDIs is designed, built and tested. Dynamic testing on the integrated system is performed to investigate the effectiveness of the VSDIs for vibration control. Experimental results show significant shift in natural frequency, when VSDIs are activated and the possibility of using the VSDIs as a controllable base isolator.