Applications of unequally spaced absorbers on vibro-acoustic response reduction of a fluid-loaded beam

The problem of reducing local vibration and global radiated sound in a hysteretically damped fluid-loaded beam subjected to external point force excitation using absorbers has been examined. Both kinematic and dynamic coupling have been accounted for in the fluid/structure interaction problem. A systematic method based on optimization techniques has been developed to determine the location of absorbers that will minimize sound pressure as well as vibration level from a fluid-loaded structure. Results show that not only displacement response, but also sound pressure and total radiated acoustic power can be reduced or controlled with the presence of absorbers or concentrated masses in an optimal arrangement. Compared with absorbers, reducing vibroacoustic response with concentrated masses is not efficient, but satisfactory results in local vibration and surface sound pressure reduction are achieved using concentrated masses.