Different ways of mechanical wave propagation damping in Ackerman ceilings using recycled rubber

Abstract

In this paper, the use of recycled rubber in the form of inserts/fillings or overlays on Ackerman ceiling blocks to partially dampen the propagation of mechanical waves from vibrating machines/devices or accidental shocks from the people movement is discussed. The numerical study is carried out with the use of ADINA software based on Finite Element Method (FEM). The energy transferred via the forced wave is observed in the form of stress plots at given time steps. Four different Ackerman blocks are chosen, which differs in height dimension and shape. In the analysis the complexity of each block supporting is simplified and each block is treated as simply supported on its external edges. The dynamic load is applied to the blocks top surface towards the bottom. For each Ackerman block the analysis is performed twice. The first sequence deals with the Ackerman block itself – without rubber filling, and the second one with insert/filling, what gives the possibility to compare the results of transferred energy. On the basis of presented in paper results, one observes that the rubber filling gives a slight to significant reduction of mechanical wave energy transfer, depending on the block configuration.