Damping characteristics of active-passive hybrid constrained-layer treated beam structures

A new configuration of surface damping treatments, Active- Passive Hybrid Constrained Layer (HCL) damping, is analyzed and experimentally investigated. The purpose is to improve the performance of the current active constrained layer (ACL) and passive constrained layer (PCL) treatments by mixing passive and active materials in the constraining layer. In HCL, the viscoelastic material is constrained by an active-passive hybrid constraining layer -- the active part is made of PZT ceramics, and the passive part can be selected by the designer to meet different requirements, such as higher damping performance or lighter weight. The active and passive constraining parts are mechanically connected such that the displacement and force are continuous at the connecting surface, but are isolated electrically so the passive constraining part will not affect the function of its active counterpart. Following a generic study of the HCL concept by the authors earlier, the purpose of this paper is to illustrate and validate the HCL performance through both numerical and experimental investigations on a beam structure. The governing equations and boundary conditions of an HCL treated beam are derived and a finite element model is formulated. Tabletop tests with cantilever beam specimens are used for the experimental study. The new hybrid constrained layer is found to have the advantages of both ACL and PCL. By selecting a stiffer passive constraining material and an optimal active-to-passive length ratio, the HCL can achieve better closed-loop and open-loop performances than the treatment with a pure active constraining layer.