Vibration Control of Vehicles With Flexible Structure Using Optimum Tuned-Mass Dampers

Vibrations resulting from flexural motion of elastic vehicle structures are of particular significance to the ride comfort of vehicles. Tuned-mass dampers (dynamic vibration absorbers) are among the most commonly used devices for vibration suppression. In this paper the application of optimum tuned-mass dampers is addressed, that can be used to reduce annoying flexibility originated vibration. A newly developed flexible model is representing the vehicle with eight-degree-of-freedom (8-DOF) with a systematic approach to select the optimum locations of the absorbers. Using passive vibration absorbers and applying the min-max optimization method to find the optimum values of the design parameters. Simulation results for a case study bus with flexible structure confirm the strength of the proposed design. For those who wish to pursue future research on this subject few suggestions are given.