Static and Free Vibration Analysis of a Sandwich Beam with Partial Constraining Layer with MR Fluid Core

Abstract

The present work deals with the static and free vibration analysis of a beam with partially covering constraining layer with magnetorheological fluid core. For the analysis fixed free end cantilever has been considered. The beam has been modelled using finite element method. The sandwich beam element has six degrees of freedom per node, whereas the base beam element has three degrees of freedom per node. The governing equation of motion have been derived using Hamilton’s principle in conjunction with finite element method. The effect of magnetic field strength and constraining layer position on the frequency and critical buckling load of the beam has been studied. It has been found that increase in magnetic field strength enhances the first three mode frequencies. Constraining layer nearer to the free end gives highest value of frequencies. Maximum buckling capacity is achieved by placing the constraining layer at the mid position of the beam. Experiments have been carried out to validate a few theoretical findings.