Finite element optimization of viscoelastic damping applications

Kurzfassung

Lightweight design is an essential feature of aeronautic structures, yielding a considerable susceptibility to vibrations. While aircraft vibrations in the lower frequency range are safety-relevant, vibrations in the higher frequency range lead to an increased cabin interior noise and thus to reduced passenger comfort. An increase of structural damping is therefore highly beneficial but is directly connected to an undesired mass gain. Therefore, a general interest exists in a mass optimized vibration damping. This paper addresses the optimization of viscoelastic damping using the finite element method. In a parameter study it is shown that the width of the core and face layer of a Constrained Layer Damping treatment has a significant influence on the vibration damping. The width of those layers is therefore divided up into 40 parts and used as design variables in a restricted optimization. As a result, a geometry configuration is determined, aiming for maximum damping under a defined mass constraint.