Dry Friction Energy Dissipater with Spherical Elements

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study to evaluate the impact energy dissipation, proposing a dry friction damper using spherical elements as a dissipation mechanism.

The study is performed by experimentation using a universal testing machine with cyclic testing and numerical modeling using Abaqus finite element software. Energy dissipation analysis is presented by comparing the loading and unloading cycles in the device, in addition, the dissipator was subject to dynamic loading, with parametric variation of the impact velocity and mass.

The results show the feasibility of using confined spheres as energy dissipation elements by means of dry friction, dissipating 41% of the energy input to the system. Numerical and experimental analysis show an acceptable percentage differential of 2%. The dynamic modeling of the device under the analyzed parameters does not show considerable variation in the energy dissipation capacity for different velocities.

The use of confined spherical elements as a dry friction energy dissipation mechanism is feasible. The device is able to dissipate 41% of the input energy resulting from the impact through dry friction at the sphere-tube contact. The operating range of the energy dissipator is variable depending on the clamping torque in the system. Due to the geometry and the easy market accessibility of the components that make up the device, it is a good alternative for dry friction energy dissipation.