Summary
Conventional means of vibration control are often costly or heavy devices which are only effective over a very narrow band of excitation frequencies. It is to this end that nonlinear vibration absorbers are of interest as they are known to be capable of effectively reducing vibrations at any frequency of excitation. This research addresses a novel use of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) within a Nonlinear Vibration Absorber. The nonlinearity of the absorber comes from two sources: the nonlinear geometric stiffness due to the perpendicular orientation of Shape Memory Alloy wires and from the Pseudoelasticity effect. The effect of Pseudoelasticity of Shape Memory Alloy is first successfully modelled which includes the development of the equations of motion of the absorber coupled with a harmonically excited primary spring-mass system. Analysis is conducted numerically and experimentally for and highlights the potential of a Nonlinear Shape Memory Alloy Vibration Absorber capable of attenuating vibrations over a broad range of excitation frequencies.
