Application of Experimental Vibration Data to the Design of Viscoelastic‐Damped Structures Free

Various theoretical analyses of idealized structural elements embodying a viscoelastic shear‐damping mechanism are available in the technical literature. The damping properties of viscoelastic‐damped beams, plates, and simple structural junctions have been investigated with simplifying assumptions made with regard to the uniformity of structural‐member cross section, the type of mass‐loading distribution, and the nature of physical constraints and boundary conditions. Actual structural fabrications associated with electronic and electromechanical equipment require appropriate consideration of concentrated mass loadings, boundary conditions, fastening devices, strength requirements, and environmental conditions. This paper discusses the application of experimental vibration data to the design of viscoelastic‐damped structures and presents a number of examples in which viscoelastic shear‐damping materials have been employed in the fabrication of structures for modern electronic and electromechanical equipment. Experimental data are presented for a laboratory electronic‐chassis model, an antenna gearplate, an aircraft equipment‐mounting rack, a gyroscope‐mounting system, a missile flap‐actuator relay panel, two missile‐arming and ‐fusing structures, and a satellite decoder‐receiver electronic equipment. In most cases, the structural‐damping property of the system is measured before and after the application of a viscoelastic damping treatment in order to indicate the degree of vibration control that has been provided.