Effective mass overshoot in single degree of freedom mechanical systems with a particle damper

We study the response of a single degree of freedom mechanical system composed of a primary mass, M  , a linear spring, a viscous damper and a particle damper. The particle damper consists in a prismatic enclosure of variable height that contains spherical grains (total mass mpmp). Contrary to what it has been discussed in previous experimental and simulation studies, we show that, for small containers, the system does not approach the fully detuned mass limit in a monotonous way. Rather, the system increases its effective mass up and above M+mpM+mp before reaching this expected limiting value (which is associated with the immobilization of the particles due to a very restrictive container). Moreover, we show that a similar effect appears in the tall container limit where the system reaches effective masses below the expected asymptotic value M. We present a discussion on the origin of these overshoot responses and the consequences for industrial applications.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We study a mass–spring–dashpot–particle damper system by simulation. ► We analyze the effective mass as the gap of the particle damper is changed. ► The effective mass does not approach the two expected limits in a monotonous way. ► The effective mass overcomes the total mass of the system for small gaps. ► The effective mass is smaller than the primary mass for large gaps.