Abstract
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Adaptive tuned mass absorbers, which are based on magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) have
been widely accepted for vibration absorption due to their frequency shift capability. Wider
frequency bandwidth indicates more effectiveness in reducing vibrations. In order to broaden the
effective bandwidth of the MRE-based absorber, this study proposes a new design consisting of
an eccentric mass. This design enables the absorber to have two natural frequencies: the
rotational natural frequency and the translational one. These two natural frequencies can be
controlled separately by adjusting the MRE stiffness and the eccentric length. This design not
only broadens the effective bandwidth of the absorber, but enables the absorber to suppress
vibrations with multiple dominant frequencies. The characterization experiment verifies the
existence of the two natural frequencies and draws the conclusion that the translational natural
frequency is under the influence of the applied current, while the rotational natural frequency is
controlled by both the applied current and the eccentric length. The vibration reduction
effectiveness is then evaluated experimentally by mounting the MRE-based absorber on a
primary system.