R. Lapointe L. Cheng
Mech. Eng. Dept., Universite Laval, Quebec G1K 7P4, Canada
The problem of reducing structural vibration with viscoelastic materials while adding the least extra weight possible has always been of great interest, especially in the aeronautic field. To study this, the system consisting of a thin rectangular plate covered by (unconstrained) sections of viscoelastic material that are also rectangular will be used. The minimization of the vibration level of the plate when subject to external forces using a determined weight of coverage will then be treated, with special attention given to the frequency- and temperature-dependent characteristics of the viscoelastic materials. The mathematical model of the system is first developed following the Love--Kirchoff plate theory and a polynomial Rayleigh--Ritz approximation. The search for the minimal level, using the simulated annealing technique, is then initiated. Numerical results will be presented and opportunities for using these results for more complex systems will be discussed.