A Hybrid Damper with Tunable Particle Impact Damping and Coulomb Friction

A particle impact damper (PID) dissipates the vibration energy of a structure through impacts within damper. The PID is not commonly used in practice mainly because its low damping-to-mass ratio and difficulty achieving optimal design due to nonlinear characteristics. In contrast, Coulomb friction (FD) can offer higher damping force-to-mass than other dampers, but it also difficult be controlled precisely characteristics excessive frequency sensitivity regarding resonant frequency. This paper examines hybrid by combining (PID + FD) theoretically experimentally. theoretical model proposed developed tested numerically on single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structure. predicted results are validated experimental tests prototype force provided FD varied adjusting normal applied compression spring, while dissipation changing cavity size PID. parametric analysis has been performed. reduce maximum amplitude SDOF primary 66% 43% compared with using only. found effective over wide range excitation frequencies. Furthermore, achieves similar suppression performance traditional tuned mass (TMD) ratio. does require an optimally natural damping, unlike TMD, therefore have detuning problem associated TMD. addition, TMD for random earthquake data. Consequently, may simpler better alternative passive control applications.