Structural parameters optimization of a comb-like structure using locally resonant phononic crystals

In this paper, a comb-like locally resonant phononic crystal (LRPC) with optimal structural parameters, which has good low frequency and broadband band gaps (BGs) between 20-250 Hz, is investigated numerically. With the intention of obtaining the optimal structural parameters, based on the structures with different number of the short elastic beams, 2-factor (the two key structural parameters, i.e. the width of the scatterer and the thickness of elastic beams) and 7-level numerical experiments are designed to obtain simulations data using finite element method (FEM). The functional relationships are further constructed using the response surface method (RSM) analysis, i.e. the relationship of the starting frequency of the first BG and the two factors, the terminating frequency of the second BG and the two factors, and the relationship of the total bandwidth of the first two BG and the two factors. After calculation using interior point method, the BGs of LRPC with optimal structural parameters are determined with lower and wider BGs below 250 Hz.