COMPARISON OF EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL

STUDY FOR VIBRATION CHARACTERISTICS OF MR

CANTILEVER BEAM

ABSTRACT
A magnetorheological (MR) fluid including magnetically soft particles suspended in a
carrier solvent is disclosed. The MR fluid also includes additive particles of smaller size than the
magnetically soft particles and a bridging polymer. The additive particles and polymer form a
gel-like material which provides a blanket or coating around the magnetically soft particles. The
MR fluids possess improved stability and redispersibility, as well as favorable mechanical
properties.
The concept of vibration controllability with smart fluids within flexible structures has
been in the centre of interest in the past two decades. Although much research has been done on
structures with embedded electrorheological (ER) fluids, there has been little investigation of
magnetorheological (MR) fluid adaptive structures. The magnetorheological response of MR
fluids results from the polarization induced in the suspended particles by application of an
external field. The interaction between the resulting induced dipoles causes the particles to form
columnar structures, parallel to the applied field.
In this proposed work, it is planned to do the vibration analysis of system with MR fluid.
These vibrations signals get generated into any structure in which damping is achieved by means
of MR fluid. The main aim behind this work is to find out the effects of MR fluid on vibrating
characteristics of system. In the proposed research work, it is decided to analyze the vibrations
after collecting the vibration signals through the data acquisition system with the help of sensors
like accelerometer.
After making the proposed test set up, various experiments are planned and will be carried
out initially on the system with MR fluid to identify the damping effect.

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1. INTRODUCTION

Varieties of smart materials already exist, and are being researched extensively. These
include piezoelectric materials, magnetorheostatic materials, electrorheostatic materials, and
shape memory alloys. Some everyday items are already incorporating smart materials
(coffeepots, cars, glasses) and the number of applications for them is growing steadily.
Magnetorheological materials (fluids) (MR) are a class of smart materials whose
rheological properties (e.g. viscosity) may be rapidly varied by applying a magnetic field. Under
influence of magnetic field the suspended magnetic particles interact to form a structure that
resists shear deformation or flow. This change in the material appears as a rapid increase in
apparent viscosity or in the development of a semisolid state. Advances in the application of MR
materials are parallel to the development of new, more sophisticated MR materials with better
properties and stability. Many smart systems and structures would benefit from the change in
viscosity or other material properties of MR. Nowadays, these applications include brakes,
dampers, clutches and shock absorbers systems.
Typical magnetorheological fluids are the suspensions of micron sized, magnetizable
particles (mainly iron) suspended in an appropriate carrier liquid such as mineral oil, synthetic
oil, water or ethylene glycol. The carrier fluid serves as a dispersed medium and ensures the
homogeneity of particles in the fluid. A variety of additives (stabilizers and surfactants) are used
to prevent gravitational settling and promote stable particles suspension, enhance lubricity and
change initial viscosity of the MR fluids. The stabilizers serve to keep the particles suspended
in the fluid, whilst the surfactants are adsorbed on the surface of the magnetic particles to
enhance the polarization induced in the suspended particles upon the application of a magnetic
field.

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Magnetorheologi
calbeam

Figure . Magnetic field direction

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
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Lara-Prrieto V, Rob Parkin, M. Jackson, V. Silberschmidt, Z. Kesy [1]: The stiffness & damping
characteristics of the MR beams were investigated as a function of different magnetic field
configurations & intensities. The beams were tested in free vibration & with an excitation force
generated either with an electrodynamic shaker or an impact hammer. PET beam showed bigger
shifts in natural frequencies than alluminium beam.
S. Elizabeth Premalatha, R. Chokkalinga, M. Mahendran [2]: The yield stress of each MR fluids
is obtained. It is observed that sedimentation is improved by adding higher percentage of
additives. It can be seen that shear stress increased with shear strain. MR fluid exhibits nonNewtonian behavior in absence of magnetic field.
M. Kciuk, R. Turczyn [3]: These fluids are reversibly & instantaneously change from a free
flowing liquid to a semi solid with controllable yield strength. MR fluid can be operated directly
from low voltage power supplies.
Mark R. Jolly, Jonathan W. Bender, J. David Carlson [4]: The rheological, magnetic & material
properties of four commercial MR fluids have been presented. Merits for MR fluids based on
these properties were also computed.
J Wang, G Meng [5]: This paper presents the current status of MR devices like composite
structures, pneumatic actuator motion control systems, flexible fixtures. They have noted some
problems when applying MR fluid devices in mechanical engineering.
US Pat. No. 5985168 to Pradeep P. Phule for MR fluid [6]. A MR fluid including magnetically
soft particles suspended in a carrier solvent is disclosed. It also includes additive particles of
smaller size than the magnetically soft particles & bridging polymer. These particles provide
coating or blanket around the magnetically soft particles.

2.1 Aim and Objectives

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The main aim is to investigate controllability of vibration characteristics of cantilever

beam using MR fluids so as to reduce the vibration levels in the system by creating
damping effect inside it & to satisfy functional requirements.
Therefore, the objectives in this work becomes as follows,
1. To study the damping properties, can be achieved with the help of MR fluid.
2. To carry out the analysis with a FEA software like ANSYS.
3. To prepare a experimental setup to know the response of MR fluid at different operating
conditions.
4. To correlate experimental & analytical results.
5. Based on obtained results to check applicability in real problem.

2.2 Problem Definition

Vibration is the most considerable domain in industries. Vibration causes unavoidable and
disturbing effects on structures which causes failure of structures. Vibration of these structures
can eliminate by using MR fluid.
Therefore the Problem definition in this work can be made as, Study Effect of MR fluid
on cantilever beam on the basis of vibration signatures.

2.3 Scope of Project

Fabrication of an experimental set up for testing of system with MR fluid. The project

aims to know various parameters on which the vibration levels are dependent.
Measurement of vibration signals induced in the system using the data acquisition system

and sensor.
Study of vibration signals acquired from the test setup and comparing it with analytical
results.

3. METHODOLOGY TO BE ADOPTED
From the literature survey the proposed work can be carried out by adopting the following
methodology.
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3.1 Analysis with FEA tool

Because of its diversity and the finite element method is numerical analysis technique for
obtaining approximate solutions to a wide variety of engineering problems. Flexibility as an
analysis tool, it is receiving much attention in almost every industry. It is not possible to obtain
analytical mathematical solutions for many engineering problems. The finite element method has
become a powerful tool for the numerical solutions of a wide range of engineering problems.

3.2 Proposed Experimental Work

1st phase is planned to fabricate the experimental set up & study the vibrations levels

of system with MR fluid.

2nd phase of this proposed work is to measure vibration signals will be acquired
through sensors and data acquisition system and these results will be studied. To

measure the frequencies of the system with and without MR fluid by using FEA tool.
3rd phase of this proposed work is to be summarise these results to make final
conclusion.

3.3 Preparation of Test Set Up

On the basis of literature review test set up with MR fluid will be prepared as follows,

DATA ACQUISITION
CARD

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Accelerometer
TEST SETUP

DYNAMIC
SIGNAL
ANALYSER

Fig 3.1: Proposed Schematic Experimental Test Set Up

NI Lab View data acquisition system will be use for testing.

3.4 Data Acquisition and Analysis

The accelerometer at the point mass will record data for future analysis. The data from the
accelerometer will be analyzed and saved within National Instruments Lab-View program. The
input vibration will be controlled via a pre-compiled routine and will be used to format the data
into Response vs. Input plots. With the collection of all data, plots of each result will be created to
visually determine the relationships between MR Fluid properties and the resultant responses.

3.5 Expected Outcome

From this proposed work it is expected that the collected vibration signatures will
provide some valuable information which will help in studying the effect of MR fluid and
will also give some useful results by application of MR fluid.

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3.6 Estimated Expenditure for Proposed Work

Sr. No.

Description of work

Cost

Fabrication of test set up

25000

Various types of cantilever beam s & MR fluid

30000

Miscellaneous

5000
Total

Rs.60000/-

REFERENCES
1.

Lara-Prrieto V, Rob Parkin, Mike Jackson, Vadim Silberschmidt, Zbigniew Kesy;

Vibration characteristics of MR cantilever sandwich beams, Loughbourough University
Institutional Repository, Smart materials & Structure, 19 (1), 015005, 9pp, 2010.

2.

S. Elizabeth Premalatha, R. Chokkalingam, M. Mahendran; Magneto Mechanical

Properties of Iron Based MR Fluids, Journal of Polymer Science 2012, 2(4); 50-55.
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3.

M. Kciuk, R. Turczyn; Properties & Applications of Magnetorheological Fluids, Journal

of Achievements in Materials & Manufacturing Engineering, volume 18, issue 1-2, SepOct 2006.

4.

Mark R. Jolly, Jonathan W. Bender, J. David Carlson; Properties & Applications of

Commercial

Magnetorheological

Fluids, Thomas

Lord

Research

Center, Lord

Corporation,110 Lord Drive, Cary, NC 27511.

5.

J Wang, G Meng; Magnetorheological fluid devices: principles, characteristics &

applications in mechanical engineering, Siyuan Mechatronics Institute, Foshan University,
China, 2001.

6.

Patent on Magnetorheological fluid by Pradeep P. Phule, US Patent No: 5985168, dated

on 19 Nov 1999.

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