The effectiveness of polymer adhesive in reduction of vibrations of structural members

¹ Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 11/12 Narutowicz St., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
² Cracow University of Technology, Institute of Structural Mechanics, 24 Warszawska St., 31-155 Cracow, Poland

^* Corresponding author: natmajew@pg.edu.pl

Abstract

In this paper, the idea of using polymer adhesive as a damping layer is proposed. An experimental study of two aluminium cantilevered beams has been conducted. One of them presents a plain cantilevered beam, while the second one considers two aluminium beams bonded with a polymer adhesive of different thickness (0,5; 1,2; 1,75; 3,1 and 5 mm). The polymer adhesive considered in the study is a specially designed flexible two-component grout, which has high damping properties. The aim of the study is to determine dynamic parameters, such as natural frequencies and damping ratios of both beams, based on the tests in which analyzed elements have been induced to vibrations by a modal hammer. The behaviour of the beams under different additional weight, installed at the end of elements, has been studied. The results of the study clearly show that the response of the composite aluminium beam with polymer adhesive inside is substantially different then the response of the plain beam. The application of polymer adhesive leads to significant increase in structural damping. Based on the results, the method of using the polymer adhesive can be considered as an effective one in reduction of structural vibrations.