Active–passive hybrid damping in beams with enhanced smart constrained layer treatment

This paper deals with the assessment of vibration control performance using enhanced smart constrained layer damping (ESCLD) treatment with edge elements. A beam finite element model has been developed based on Timoshenko beam theory with partially covered ESCLD. The edge elements are modeled as equivalent springs mounted at the boundaries of the piezoelectric layer. The Golla–Hughes–McTavish (GHM) method has been used to model the viscoelastic layer. The model is validated against published experimental results. Using linear quadratic regulator (LQR) optimal control, the effects of the ESCLD on vibration suppression performance and control effort requirements are investigated. Analysis shows that edge elements significantly improve the active action transmissibility of the SCLD treatment. Due to combined overall active and passive actions, the ESCLD treatment with sufficiently stiff edge elements could outperform both the SCLD treated system and the purely active system.