Optimum design of multiple-constraint-layered systems for vibration control

An analytical formulation is presented for predicting the stiffness and damping of constrained layered beams that have multiple viscoelastic damping layers. A model is derived for symmetrical setups using variational methods. The equations to evaluate the stiffness and damping are derived in closed form and can be evaluated for different boundary conditions. The complex modulus approach is used to model the elastic and shear moduli of the viscoelastic material. A parametric analysis has been conducted to study the effects of different parameters on the damping and stiffness of the system under simply supported boundary conditions. The optimization process to obtain structural and material parameters maximizing system damping for a given temperature and frequency range is also presented