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Engineering Optimization
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OPTIMUM DESIGN OF VISCOELASTICALLY DAMPED
SANDWICH PANELS
A. K. LALL
a
, B. C. NAKRA
a
& N. T. ASNANI
a
a
Mechanical Engineering Department , Indian Institute of Technology , Hauz Khas, New
Delhi, 110016, India
Published online: 24 Oct 2007.
To cite this article: A. K. LALL , B. C. NAKRA & N. T. ASNANI (1983) OPTIMUM DESIGN OF VISCOELASTICALLY DAMPED
SANDWICH PANELS, Engineering Optimization, 6:4, 197-205
To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03052158308902470
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Enyinrvriny 0plimi:otion. 1983. Vol. 6. pp. 197-205
0305-215X/83/0604-0197S18.50/0
@ 1983 Gordon and Breach Science Publirhcrs. Inc.
Printed i n the U.S.A.
OPTIMUM DESIGN OF VISCOELASTICALLY DAMPED
SANDWICH PANELS
A. K. LALL, B. C. NAKRA and N. T. ASNANl
Mechanical Engineering Deparrmenr, Indian lnsfirufe of Technology, Haez Khas,
New Delhi 110016, India
on the design variablcr and other requircrnents
NOTATION
time dependent co-efficients of the pres-
sure series
plate length
plate width
Young's modulus of skin material
real part of complex Young's modulus
of damping material
real part of complex shear modulus of
damping material
complex shear modulus
face plate thickness
core thickness
number of flexural half waves in plate
length
n number of flexural half waves in plate
'lmn
'ld
width
p
mass per unit area of sandwich plate
I.,
Poisson's ratio for skin material
v,
Poisson's ratio for core material
p, density of core
p, density of skin
r thickness of core/thickness of face plate
(I , , , shear parameter
w,, resonant frequency of mn-th mode
w, assumed resonant frequency
w frequency in general
p density in general
p, density at reference temperature
a, shift parameter
a stress
E strain
INTRODUCTION
external pressure on plate
static stiffness In the field of structures. the present trend of using
lateral semi-wave length/longitudinal light and continuous structures gives rise t o easy
semi-wave length, ( h/ n~) / ( a/ n) transmission of vibrations. Resilient mounting of
temperature the source of vibration is not totally effective
reference temperature particularly when the structure is light and flex-
temperature at given density p ible.' The conventional approach for controlling
transverse displacement vibrations is t o avoid resonance due to coinci-
space coordinates dence of forcing frequency with the natural
f l
frequencies of the system. This approach cannot
core loss factor (normalized imaginary be used in cases where vibrations occur over a
part of complex stiflness) wide frequency range. In turbojets, missiles, rockets,
system loss factor of the mn-th flexural etc., a number of resonances of structural elements
mode may get excited. In such cases, vibrations can be
extensional loss factor of damping mat- controlled by providing damping in the system
erial itself.
197
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I98 A. K. LALL. B. C. NAKRA A N D N. T. AS NANI
One of the widely used configurations is a con-
strained type sandwich configuration, in which one
or more layers of flexible, high damping material
are bonded between layers of stiff, elastic materials.
On bending, shear strain is induced in the visco-
elastic layer and vibratory energy is dissipated.
It is seen from review paper^^,^ on vibration
control with viscoelastic materials that work on
optimum design studies of the constrained type
configuration is limited as it involves a large num-
ber of design variables. Plunkett and Lee4 have
optimized the length of the constrained visco-
elastic layer t o obtain maximum damping. They
used the indirect method of search for single
parameter optimization. Lang and DymS have
carried out a study for optimal acoustic design of
sandwich panels using pattern search. They have
taken the masses and thicknesses of core and skin
as design variables with some practical constraints.
A direct search procedure was used t o treat the
optimization of layered structure subjected to
dynamic loading for minimizing tensile interfacial
s t r e s s e ~. ~ Lunden7.' has used a sequential uncon-
strained minimization procedure for finding the
optimum distribution of additive damping for
vibrating beams and frames. Rao9 has considered
two aspects of the optimum design of sandwich
beams:
a) For given geometrical parameters and visco-
elastic material loss factor, finding the optimum
shear parameter which will result in a maximum of
the system loss factor.
b) Substitution of a homogeneous beam for an
equivalent sandwich beam to obtain optimum
shear.
A similar study was carried out by Mead" for
the optimum design of sandwich plates. The criteria
considered were: Constant weight, constant stiff-
ness and choice of optimum core material based
on constant weight theory. A trial procedure is
used to find geometrical parameters for materials
so as t o obtain an optimum shear parameter which
corresponds to the maximum system loss factor for
a particular mode of vibration. Mead" has also
discussed the various criteria for damping effective-
ness, which include system loss factor and damping
response effectiveness.
In the present work, an optimum design study is
carried out on a sandwich configuration with
equally thick skin faces for modal system loss
factor maximization and displacement response
minimization, with constraints on design variables
and other requirements such as mass, static stiff-
ness ratio etc. The temperature and frequency
dependent nature of the viscoelastic material is also
taken into account.
OBJECTIVE FUNCTIONS
The study is divided into two main parts. In the
first part, the objective function is the maximization
of modal system loss factors; in the second part, it
is the minimization of the displacement response at
resonance. Expressions for system loss factor and
resonant frequency of the simply supported sand-
wich plate shown in Figure 1 for the mn-th mode
are given by Meadlo and are:
where
Shear parameter ( I , ,
and
w2 = K,,
mn
P
where
2 0 . n4
K, , = -.
b4
m4. ( r 2 +
w, , being the resonant frequency for the mn-th
mode
For minimization of the displacement response
the additional design equations are:
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DAMPED SANDWICH PANELS 199
FIGURE I Three layer sandwich plate.
Where A,, are the co-efficients of the uniform
steady fluctuating pressure distribution series, and
are given by
Job Ji P( x, y, r ) sin
A," =
f [ sin2 ) - . s i n k r ? ) d x d y
0 0
( 4)
DESIGN VARIABLES AND CONSTRAINTS
A sandwich plate has many physical parameters.
The parameters which we want t o vary for our
objective functions to be extremized are termed
design variables. In selecting design variables it is
preferable to group them so as to reduce their
total number in a problem. In the present formula-
tions, five design variables were considered. These
are; p,, p,r,, r , and T. Linear relationships between
material density and Young's modulus developed
by Krokosky13 are used t o couple these two design
variables.
The core material was selected in advance to
take into account the effect of temperature and
frequency on the core properties. The core material
selected was filled silicon elastomer. As the core
material properties are affected by temperature
and frequency, so temperature is taken as a design
variable and the effect of frequency is taken into
account by the temperature-frequency dependence
of the dynamic properties of filled silicon elas-
tomer."
For a linear material subjected to extensional
strain c; a = E,(w, T) [ 1 + iqDjw, T ) ] E
Where ED and qD are functlon of frequency w
and temperature T . According t o the temperature-
frequency equivalence principle, ED and qD at
different temperatures and frequencies obey the
relationships:
E d w, T ) = ( T , I T o Po ) E, (w. a, )
VD(\V, T ) = qo( f i 7. ~r )
where a, is known as the shift factor. The relation
used in this work was'':
By proper selection of a, , the 3dimensional
relationship reduces to a 2-dimensional relation-
ship. For the same material, curves were fitted to
both the graphs by a least squares method i.e.
( T O I T ) ED versus w . a , and q, versus w . a, yielded
the following relationships.
The following are the types ofconstraints incorpor-
ated in a optimal sandwich design problems.
a ) Design uariable consrrainrs:
X f < X j < X y , f o r j =1 , 5
Where X j is the j-th design variable and Xf
and X y are the lower and upper bounds respect-
ively. In the case of a sandwich plate, these five
variables are p,, p, , r,, r, and T.
b) Muss consrrai~lr :
where p is the mass per unit area of the sandwich
and pL, pu are the lower and upper bounds respec-
tively.
( c) Sraric srifi~ess consrrainr:
In some applications static stiffness ofthe sandwich
is an important requirement, and forms a con-
straint bounded above and below.
d ) Resonant frequency constraint:
In dynamic problems this is an important require-
ment. This is incorporated to take into account
the resonance phenomenon. This too is restricted
with upper and lower bounds.
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200 A. K. LALL. B. C. NAKRA AND N. T. ASNANI
OPTIMIZATION STUDIES
In the first part of the study where the objective
function is t o maximize the system modal loss
factor q,., the following six cases have been
studied:
I(:I)
Maximization of 11,. with constraints on
p,, p,, r , , I,, T and p.
I(b)
Maximization of q,, with constraints on
p, , p, , r , , r , , TandS.
I(c)
Maximization of average I!, , for the first
four modes with same constraints as l(a).
I(d)
Maximization of q,. and minimization of p
subjected to the same constraints as l(a)
I(e) Maximization of q,, with constraints on
p, ,p, ,r, ,r, , T . ~ a n d w I . , .
I(f) Same as l(e) hut with different constraint
range on a',, , .
In the second part of the study the minimization
ol the displacement response at the centre of a
rectangular sandwich plate subjected t o harmonic
excitation has been carried out for the following
three cases:
Il(a)
Minimization of the displacement response
in the first resonant mode subject to the same con-
straints as in case l(a)
I l(b) Minimization of the displacement response
in the first resonant mode subject to the same con-
straints as in case l(b)
Il(c) Minimization of the average displacement
response of the first two resonant modes subject to
the same constraints as in case l(a).
The maximization of an objective function is
equivalent t o minimization of the negative of the
objective function, or minimization of the recipro-
cal of the objective function. The reciprocal ap-
proach is generally accepted as it flattens out the
objective function, thus the application of a
penalty function method remains effective in
general as the constraints are violated. In the case
of i(d), the objective function is coupled i.e. maxi-
mization of loss factor and at the same time
minimization of mass per unit area.
The flow diagram of Figure 2 shows the logical
sequence of computations performed t o implement
the algorithm. In Block A, the input data for the
problem is read (Table I). In Block B, r a n d T are
calculated lor the required mode. The resonant
frequency of the sandwich structure is assumed in
Block C. In Block D, the shift factor is calculated
using Eq. (5). Extensional storage modulus and
loss factor for the core material at the assumed
frequency are calculated from Eqs. (6) and (7) in
Block E.
In Block F, the complex shear modulus is
calculated. The loss factors in shear and extension
are treated as equal and the storage modulus in
tension as three times the storage modulus in
shear.
In' Block G, Young's modulus for the skin
material is calculated using the linear relationship
between material density and Young's modulus
developed by Kr o k ~ s k y . ' ~ The linear relationship
was developed by curve fitting t o match data for
common materials ranging from polystyrene foam
to aluminium alloy, and is necessary to include the
effect of coupling between density and Young's
modulus as well as to reduce the number of design
variables. The modal stiffness of the sandwich
(K, , ), shear parameter ($,,) and mass per unit
area of the sandwich plate (p) are calculated in
Block H. In Block I, w,, is calculated. In Block J,
a decision is made whether the calculated resonant
frequency. w,,, is approximately equal to the
assumed frequency. Il'u. If it is, then the modal
loss factor is calculated and is treated as an objec-
tive function for case ](a), l(b), i(c), I(e) and I(f).
The optimization procedure is called in Block L
and the search continues for a maximum system
loss factor with new design variables if pre-set
accuracies are not met.
If w,, is not close t o u7,, the calculated resonant
frequency is set equal to the assumed frequency and
the procedure is repeated until convergence takes
place. This complete the algorithm for the first
part of the study.
For the second part of the study the algorithm
continues with Block M, where the pressure series
co-efficients are calculated. In Block N, the dis-
placement response is calculated at the geometrical
center of the sandwich olate. The first two ~ e a k s are
located by an interval ialving technique in'Block 0 .
The first resonant peak is treated as the objective
function for cases Il(a), Il(b), but the average of
the first two is used in Il(c). Finally, the optimiza-
tion procedure is called in Block P and the search
continues for a minimum displacement with new
design variables until pre-set accuracies are met.
For the optimization study, an algorithm based
on the constrained type direct method is used. The
constrained problem is first converted into an
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DAMPED SANDWICH PANELS
MODAL FREQUENCY.
CALCULATE STORAGE MODULUS
1
AND LOSS FACTOR FOR CORE
t
CALCULATE COMPLEX MODULUS
1 I N SHEAR FOR CORE
CALCULATE \Ymn.Kmn &JJ
I
CALCULATE SYSTEM
K MODAL LOSS FACTOR
7
0 1 LOCATE DI SPLACEMENT PEAKS
P I
CALL OPT. PROCEDURE I
IABLES
ACCURACY
ST0 P
FIGURE 2 Flow diagram for algorithms
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202 A. K. LALL. B. C. NAKRA AND N. T. ASNANI
unconstrained type by the application of an ex-
ternal parabolic penalty. First the multi-dimen-
sional space is randomly scanned to select a good
starting point, then a sequential interval halving
search is carried out t o find a minimum along the
steepest descent d i r e ~ t i o n . l ~ - ' ~ The search is con-
tinued from Block B with new values of the design
variables in the steepest descent direction with
appropriate increments in the design variables,
unless the pre-set accuracy on the design variables
and objective function is met. For global optimum
design, different starting points or more random
search points have to be considered which will
lead t o the same solution.
NUMERICAL RESULTS
FORTRAN Computer programs have been de-
veloped, based upon the flow diagram of Figure 2.
Some modifications are made for different cases
to meet specific requirements. Input data for the
problem is given in the Table I. The results of
problems ](a), I(b) and I(c) are tabulated in Table
11. In Table 111 results for problems I(d), I(e) and
1(f) are given. The results of problems Il(a). II(b)
and Il(c) are given in Table IV.
In all the cases the results are within the con-
straints set up initially, except in problems I(e)
and I(f) for constraints on 1, and T. In [(a) a low
temperature is selected from the broad range so
that the core is operative in its glassy region area.
The core material loss factor was toward its upper
limit. There is not much difference in the system
modal loss factor whether the first or the second
modal loss factor is maximized.
In I(b), the presence of a static stiffness constraint
in place or a mass per unit area constraint changed
the design variables selection considerably. The
maximum modal loss factor decreased t o satisfy
the constraint put on the static stiffness ratio. The
static stiffness ratio was defined as the ratio of the
static stiffness of the sandwich to the static stiffness
of the skin faces alone, i.e. without core.
In I(c), the average of the first four modal loss
factors is maximized. Results clearly indicate that
it is immaterial whether the material selection is
based on the first or the second resonant mode.
In I(d), a coupled objective function was used
i.e. maximization of modal loss factor with mini-
mum mass per unit area of the sandwich plate.
Comparing the results with I(a) it is seen that there
TABLE I
Values of parameters and ranges for the constraints
Plole poromerer~
Length af t he plate = 400 mm
Width of the plate = 300 mm
Poisson ratiu far the core = 0.5
Poisson ratio for the skin = 0. 3
Pressure = 0.1 N/mm2 for I@), Il(b) and ll(c) only
Reference temperature = 30'C
0.0666 s r, s 20.0 mm
0.2559 5 I, 5 7.64 mm
- 12.3 5 7 5 80C
6.688 x 5 p S 2.0 x 10.' Kg/mm2, all cases except i(b) and ll(b)
Static stiffness of sandwich
5 8 for l(b) and ll(b) only
Static stiffness of facer without core
275 5 H,,,, 5 350 for l(e) only
I50 5 w,,,, 5 200 for l(f) only
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DAMPED SANDWI CH PANELS 203
is decrease in mass per unit area and a slight loss
in loss factor.
Cases I(e) and I(f) indicate that the frequency
constraint effects the selection of design variables
for the sandwich configuration. In all the above
cases. the temperature constraint was towards its
lower limit.
In summary, the temperature selected was to-
ward the lower limit and i t was found that the core
material loss factor always approaches the maxi-
mum value available. Moreover the material
selection based on the fundamental or the second
resonant frequency does not give any significant
difference in the values of the modal loss factor.
In the second part of the study where the objec-
tive function was minimization oft he displacement
response, the results obtained were diflerent from
those for the first part for the same configuration.
In II(a), the thickness of the skin was toward its
maximum value but its density is quite low. More-
over, the core material loss factor did not tend
towards the maximum available. The mass per
unit area was towards the upper limit.
In Il(b), the static stiffness ratio changed the
design variables. Core thickness increases towards
the maximum available.
In Il(c), the design variables are close t o Il(a).
The solulion converges in lI(c) with the first
modal response a little higher than that in Il(a). In
all the cases of second part, temperature is toward
the higher side of the range available.
TABLE I 1
Optimum solutions far [(a). I(b) and I(=)
Density of
core-kg/mm3
Density of
skin-kglmm'
Thickness of
core-mm
Thickness of
skin-mm
Temoeraturc-'C
Caw [(a) Caw Kb) Caw Kc)
Far For For
For optimum q , , optimum q l l optimum q , , optimum q , ,
For For
optimum q,. optimum q , .
as; Der unit
area-kg/mm2 1.401 x l o- ' 1.215 x 10.' 3306 6 10.' 3.352 x 10-' 1.271 x l o- ' 1.228 x l o- I
Resonant modal
frequency-rad/sec 298.95 599.31 558.14 899.45 366.95 597.96
Young's modulus
for core-N/mm2 9.872 19.75 9.376 10.308 16.143 19.59
Loss factor for core 0.1957 0.1958 0.1913 0.1924 0.1950 0.1958
Shear parameter 37.502 31.638 75.244 146.73 20.649 32.429
Stiffness ratio 19.573 16.006 1.887 1.042 26.964 16.018
System loss factor
r n = I , " = I 0.1880 0.1318 0.1637 0.1614 0.1840 0.1821
System loss factor
m = I . " = 2 0.1869 0.1871 0.1445 0.1452 0.1868 0.1873
Resonant frequency
rn = 1.n = l 298.95 407.45 558.14 581.74 366.95 406.68
Resonant frequency
m = l . n = 2 436.89 599.31 862.77 899.45 538.02 597.96
Static stiffness ratio - - 8.01 1 8. W26 - -
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DAMPED SANDWICH PANELS 2115
CONCLUSIONS
A procedure for carrying out an optimum design
study of sandwich plates with viscoelastic cores
has been outlined, with a view to maximizing the
system loss factor or minimizing the resonant
response, subject to various constraints imposed
on the design variables. Numerical results have
shown that the two objective functions give
different results for design variables.
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3. R. C. Nakra. "Vibration control with viscoelastic
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4. R. Plunkett and L. C. Lee. "Length optimizalion for con-
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I,'ib., 33, (4). 451-470 (1974).
13. E. M. Krokosky. "The ideal multifunctional conaruclural
material," J. Swr r . Diu., ASCE, 94. (ST4), 959-981 (1968).
14. R. L. Fox, Oprimizorion Merhods for Engineering Design.
Addison-Wesley (1971).
15. R. C. Johnson, Optimum Design of Mechonicoi Elementr.
John Wiley & Sons. Inc. (1980).
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