This paper reports an experimental setup aiming at evaluating the performance of a newly designed magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) seismic isolator. As a further effort to explore the field-dependent stiffness/damping properties of the MRE isolator, a series of experimental testing were conducted. Based upon the analysis of the experimental responses and the characteristics of the MRE isolator, a new model that is capable of reproducing the unique MRE isolator dynamics behaviors is proposed. The validation results verify the model's effectiveness to portray the MRE isolator. A study on the field-dependent parameters is then provided to make the model valid with fluctuating magnetic fields. To fully explore the mechanism of the proposed model, an investigation relating the dependence of the proposed model on every parameter is carried out. AbstractThis paper reports an experimental setup aiming at evaluating the performance of a newly designed magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) seismic isolator. As a further effort to explore the field-dependent stiffness/damping properties of the MRE isolator, a series of experimental testing were conducted. Upon on the analysis of the experimental responses and the characteristics of the MRE isolator, a new model that is capable of reproducing the unique MRE isolator dynamics behaviors is proposed. The validation results verify the model's effectiveness to portray the MRE isolator. A study on the field-dependent parameters is then provided to make the model valid with fluctuating magnetic fields. To fully explore the mechanism of the proposed model, an investigation relating the dependence of the proposed model on every parameter is carried out.

Magneto-rheological elastomers (MREs) have attracted notable credits in the development of smart isolators and absorbers due to their controllable stiffness and damping properties. For the purpose of mitigating unwanted structural and/or machinery vibrations, the traditional MRE-based isolators have been generally proven effective because the MR effect can increase the stiffness when the magnetic field is strengthened. This study presents a novel MRE isolator that experienced reduced stiffness when the applied current was increased. This innovative work was accomplished by applying a hybrid magnet (electromagnet and permanent magnets) onto a multilayered MRE structure. To characterise this negative changing stiffness concept, a multilayered MRE isolator with a hybrid magnet was first designed, fabricated and then tested to measure its properties. An obvious reduction of the effective stiffness and natural frequency of the proposed MRE isolator occurred when the current was continuously adjusted. This device could also work as a conventional MRE isolator as its effective stiffness and natural frequency also increased when a negative current was applied. Further testing was carried out on a one-degree-of-freedom system to assess how effectively this device could isolate vibration. In this experiment, two cases were considered; in each case, the vibration of the primary system was obviously attenuated under ON-OFF control logic, thus demonstrating the feasibility of this novel design as an alternative adaptive vibration isolator.

Adaptive tuned vibration absorbers (ATVAs) featuring magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) have attracted considerable research interests because of the advantages of fast response, controllable frequency, and broad working range. Generally, the ATVA uses single layer of MRE sheet, which has some issues such as small oscillator stroke and being effective only on high frequency. In this research, an ATVA which incorporates multilayer MRE sheets was designed and prototyped. Its performance under various scan frequencies was tested on a horizontal vibration platform. A theoretical model was proposed to predict the MRE absorber performance. For the clear demonstration of the advantages of multilayered MRE absorber, two kinds of absorbers with only one layer of MRE were prepared as comparison. The experiments compared the vertical support capability and the tuning frequency range of these two ATVAs, which have clearly highlighted the capabilities of multilayered MRE absorber with larger oscillator stroke (as large as 13.6 mm) and lower working frequencies (as low as 3.2 Hz). The vibration absorption evaluation was conducted by mounting the multilayered MRE absorber on a single-degree-of-freedom system. The results identify that the ATVA with multilayered MREs could work lower than 10 Hz, which is very difficult for the one with single layer MRE. Additionally, the performance of the passive and adaptive tuned laminated MRE absorbers on attenuating a swept frequency vibration are presented, respectively. The ATVA was more effective than the passive absorber over a wide frequency range.

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In the past, adaptive tuned vibration absorbers (ATVAs) based on magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) have mainly been developed in a shear working mode. The enhancing effect of MREs in squeeze mode has already been investigated, but ATVAs in squeeze mode have rarely been studied. This paper reports the development of a compact squeeze MRE absorber and its subsequent performance in various magnetic fields characterized under various frequencies by a vibration testing system. The results revealed that the natural frequency of the MRE absorber working in squeeze mode can be tuned from 37 Hz to 67 Hz. Following this, a theoretical model based on magnetic dipole theory was developed to investigate the dynamic performance of the squeeze MRE absorber, and the vibration attenuation of the squeeze MRE absorber was then verified by mounting it on a beam with supports under both ends. The results revealed that the squeeze MRE absorber extended its vibration attenuation range from 37 Hz to 67 Hz while the passive absorber was only effective around 53 Hz.