Hybrid Magnetorheological Elastomer-Piezoelectric (MREP) Semi-active Damper: Numerical Investigation on the Stiffening Effects

Dampers have been used in mechanical and industrial applications to stabilize systems by minimizing excessive vibration. Damping applications adopt different techniques to be effective across a wide range of dynamic responses. This paper investigates applying a hybrid damping approach for low-medium frequencies by utilizing a magnetorheological piezoelectric (MREP) structure. The magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) material provides excellent damping characteristics that can be varied by an induced magnetic field. At the same time, the piezoelectric actuators can passively and actively shunt large deformations with changing potential difference. The MREP damper studied was made from a circular ceramic piezoelectric material inside a cylindrical MRE. The resulting stiffness of the overall structure increased by up to 16% compared to conventional MRE carried out on ANSYS static structural analysis.