Investigation of multi-layer sandwich beams through single degree-of-freedom transformation

The dynamic behaviors of multi-layer sandwich beams are investigated through single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) transformation. The frequency response of the multi-layer sandwich beam is obtained using finite element code COMSOL and is transformed to a SDOF system with the same frequency response. Hence, the mass, spring constant and damping coefficient of the sandwich beams with different lengths and number of visco-elastic layers can be investigated. Further, viscous damping and structural damping models are individually employed to simulate the damping effect of the sandwich beam. The frequency responses from both models are compared with that from COMSOL and experiment. The resonant peak and resonant frequency of the SDOF system using structural damping model is more consistent with that from COMSOL. The experimental result demonstrates that the response of the sandwich beam can be predicted through COMSOL and SDOF transformation.