Parametrical optimization of particle dampers based on particle swarm algorithm

Particle damping technology is widely used to suppress the structure vibration in different fields. It is thus important to develop an optimization method of the particle damper design to achieve good damping effect. Here, a theoretical model of particle damping based on multiphase flow theory of gas-particle is used to predicate the acceleration response of asymmetrical particle-damping plate through COMSOL-MATLAB co-simulation. On the basis of the accuracy of acceleration response prediction (i.e. simulation results vs. experimental results), particle swarm algorithm is introduced to optimize the parameters of particle dampers within different frequency ranges. The optimal results (i.e. acceleration response curves and total values of acceleration) are compared with the non-optimal results, showing its feasibility of particle-damping asymmetrical plate in various target frequency ranges. Comparing to the non-optimal case, the damping effect after optimization improves significantly by reducing 10 dB more within the frequency ranges.