Review of Methods for Analyzing Constrained‐Layer Damped Structures

Abstract

This paper reviews and examines different numerical approaches for modeling and analyzing the behavior of structures having constrained‐layer damping. Specific topics that are addressed included: modeling of the material behavior, implementation of structural damping and constrained‐layer damping into two‐ and three‐dimensional finite elements, and assessment of the different analysis methods for calculating the damped response and estimation of the damping level in the structure. Two numerical studies are presented that reveal the accuracy limits of the different finite‐element modeling approaches for additive and integrally damped plate‐type structures. It was observed that an assembly of plate and solid elements will accurately predict both the natural frequencies and loss factors, whereas equivalent solid elements and equivalent plate‐element approaches poorly predict the natural frequency and incorrectly predict the loss factor. The assembled plate/solid elements are accurate up to an aspect ratio of 125 for the solid elements. Above this aspect ratio valve, the frequency predictions are acceptable, but the damping (loss factor) predictions are usually poor.