Dynamics of multilayered viscoelastic beams

Viscoelastic materials store as well as dissipate energy to the thermal domain under deformation. Two efficient modelling techniques reported in literature use coupled (thermo-mechanical) ATF (Augmenting Thermodynamic Fields) displacements and ADF (Anelastic Displacement Fields) displacements, to represent the constitutive relationship in time domain by using certain viscoelastic parameters. Viscoelastic parameters are first extracted from the storage modulus and loss factor normally reported in hand books with the help of Genetic Algorithm and then constitutive relationships are used to obtain the equations of motion of the continuum after discretizing it with finite beam elements. The equations of motion are solved to get the frequency response function and modal damping ratio. The process may be applied to study the dynamic behaviour of composite beams and rotors comprising of several viscoelastic layers. Dynamic behaviour of a composite beam, formed by concentric layers of steel and aluminium is studied as an example.