Study on the adjustable rigidity of magnetorheological-elastomer-based sandwich beams

Due to the field-dependent shear modulus of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE), the bulk dynamic flexural rigidity of sandwich beams with MRE cores can be adjusted by applied magnetic fields. The maximum relative change of the flexural rigidity adjusted by applied magnetic fields is referred to as magnetic controllability in this research. This paper will address the structural design for enhancing the magnetic controllability of MRE-based sandwich beams. The theoretical approach is based on a high-order theory and a non-dimensional analysis. Numerical simulations are conducted on a simply supported sandwich beam. This work will benefit the design of MRE-based sandwich beams to yield the maximum magnetic controllability index, and will explore the fundamental understanding of the field-adjustable dynamic flexural rigidity of the MRE-based sandwich beams