Targeted Mode Attenuation and Broadband Vibration Control with Optimized Elastomeric Metamaterials

This study investigates the broadband vibration attenuation mechanism of optimal cylindrical metamaterial inclusions embedded within a hollow tubular beam. The optimal metamaterial inclusions are obtained by leveraging a genetic algorithm with an analytical model of the system. The analytical model is formulated on an energy method and approximately solved by the Ritz method. Experimental efforts affirm that the model identifies the optimal metamaterial inclusions to best provide broadband vibration control capability. The results suggest that optimal inclusions often exhibit quasi-solid cross-section geometries to maximize damping behaviors similar to constrained layer dampers. Results from this research give the insight on the most influential vibration attenuation mechanisms by elastomeric metamaterials.