Theoretical and experimental investigations on active vibration control of the MRE multifunctional grille composite sandwich plates

This work investigates the active vibration control performance of the magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) multifunctional grille composite sandwich plate (MRE-MGCSP) subjected to a base excitation load, when a multi-regional magnetic field is generated inside the structures due to the magnetorheological effect. Initially, by taking two carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) skins and an MRE-based grille core as a sandwich example, a theoretical model of the MRE-MGCSPs is proposed, which in fact consists of multiple grille functional units (GFUs) and grid frame beams. Here, each GFU is made up of a rectangular frame and 4-layer functional laminates, including a bottom copper wire layer, an MRE layer, a top copper wire layer and a piezoelectric perception layer. The equations of motion are derived to solve the free and forced vibrations in accordance with the integral first-order shear deformation principle, together with the energy approach, the Biot-Savart law and the improved Rayleigh-Ritz method. The present model is initially validated against the published results in literature. Then, a multi-regional vibration control strategy is proposed to better exert the unique advantages of such the structure with highly integrated vibration control and space-saving functions. Also, the detailed measurements, including pulse excitation, sweeping frequency excitation and resonant excitation tests, are undertaken to comprehensively verify the effectiveness of the proposed model as well as the control strategy. Finally, the influences of critical magnetic control parameters on the anti-vibration performance of the MRE-MGCSPs are discussed to summarize practical conclusions for engineering applications.

Automated summary

This work investigates the active vibration control performance of the magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) multifunctional grille composite sandwich plate (MRE-MGCSP) under a base excitation load and a multi-regional magnetic field. A theoretical model is proposed and validated against published results, and a multi-regional vibration control strategy is proposed to leverage the unique advantages of the structure. Detailed measurements are conducted to comprehensively verify the effectiveness of the model and control strategy, and the influences of critical magnetic control parameters on the anti-vibration performance are discussed.