Natural Frequency Tuning Using Structural Patches

Abstract

A novel method for shifting the natural frequencies of a structure to specific values using structural patches is introduced. When a host structure is bonded with multiple structural patches, its natural frequencies can be shifted to the desired values by tuning the patch thickness and the patch location on the host structure. These parameters can be analytically determined using the methodology proposed in this paper. The time consuming process produced using the traditional optimal search method is thereby avoided. The results show that multiple natural frequencies can be changed simultaneously to the desired values. The number of natural frequencies shifted requires using the same number of structural patch pairs. Several examples using this technique are demonstrated and the results are experimentally validated.