Metallic inserts as a tool to alter the structural damping of joined structures

The dynamic response of joined structures, notably the amplification of vibrations, is strongly influenced by the characteristics of the joints. Bolted joints are non-linear both in stiffness and magnitude of energy dissipation, and structures assembled with bolted joints inherit these non-linearities. This largely experimental study shows how thin metallic inserts in the contact region may serve as a tool to alter the non-linear properties of the joint and in this way increase or decrease the level of equivalent viscous damping in the structure. Both quasi-static and dynamic measurements have been performed and a mathematical model trimmed to the static measurements has been shown to produce valid results also for dynamic simulations.