Parametric study on the vertical operational characteristics of carbon fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators using Taguchi approach

This paper investigates the viability of implementing the Taguchi method for conducting a parametric study of fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators (FREIs) in a systematic way. In this regard, the vertical properties of carbon fiber reinforced elastomeric isolators (C-FREIs) were chosen as a case study. Finite element models were first validated with experimental data to model a range of full-scale C-FREIs by varying five different physical and mechanical properties. The Taguchi method assumes minimal interaction between the factors and cannot be applied directly during design due to the highly non-linear behavior of elastomeric isolators. This study addresses this limitation through a unique array design. The C-FREI combinations to be modelled and analyzed were significantly reduced where the additivity of the Taguchi method suggested a very robust manner to test the performance of the bearings. Finally, a comprehensive parametric study was conducted on the vertical stiffness and compression modulus of the introduced C-FREIs. The trends obtained indicated that the vertical stiffness of C-FREIs is more sensitive to variations in most factors compared to the compression modulus. Variations in the carbon fiber reinforcement thickness have the lowest effect on the vertical stiffness whereas variations in the number of elastomer layers have the lowest effect on the compression modulus of C-FREIs. Furthermore, changes in the primary and secondary shape factors obtained by varying the loading area caused the highest variation in the vertical stiffness and compression modulus of C-FREIs.