Toward structurally integrated locally resonant metamaterials for vibration attenuation

In this contribution, we explore the use of locally resonant metamaterials for multi-functional structural load-bearing concepts using analytical, numerical, and experimental techniques. Locally resonant metamaterials exhibit bandgaps at wavelengths much larger than the lattice dimension. This is a promising feature for low-frequency vibration attenuation. The presented work aims to investigate highly integrated structural concepts and experimentally validated prototypes for vibration reduction in load-bearing applications. The goal is to explore and extend the design space of lightweight structural systems, by designing multi-functional periodic structural elements, preserving structural stiffness while concurrently enabling sufficiently wideband damping performance over a target frequency range of interest. Following a generalized theoretical modeling framework for bandgap design and analysis in finite structures, the focus is placed on the design, fabrication, and analysis of a load-carrying frame development with internally resonant components. Finite-element modeling is employed to design and analyze the frequency response of the frame and simplified analytical solution is compared with this numerical solution. Experimental validations are presented for a 3D-printed prototype. The effects of various parameters are reported both based on numerical and experimental findings.