Particle impact damping is measured for a cantilevered beam vibrating freely in the horizontal plane. Several particle configurations are investigated beginning with a single particle and progressing to multiple layers of particles. The effects of clearance between the particles and enclosure, initial displacement of the primary system, repeatability of damping, and damping efficiency per unit mass added are evaluated for each particle configuration. The investigation shows that the particle configuration significantly affects damping. Configurations with the fewest particles per cavity demonstrate higher damping efficiency per unit mass. Generally, for configurations with a definable clearance between the particles and enclosure, damping is shown to be a function of the clearance and initial system displacement. For configurations with multiple layers of particles, for which horizontal clearance between the particles and enclosure has no meaning, a new dimensionless parameter which captures the geometry of the particle arrangement is proposed.

In this study, particle impact damping is measured for a cantilever beam with a particle-filled enclosure attached to its free end. Many particle materials are tested: lead spheres, steel spheres, glass spheres, tungsten carbide pellets, lead dust, steel dust, and sand. The effects of particle size are also investigated. Particle diameters are varied from about 0.2 mm to 3 mm. The experimental data collected is offered as a resourceful database for future development of an analytical model of particle impact damping.

In this study, particle impact damping is measured for a cantilever beam with a particle-filled enclosure attached to its free end. Many particle materials are tested: lead spheres, steel spheres, glass spheres, tungsten carbide pellets, lead dust, steel dust, and sand. The effects of particle size are also investigated. Particle diameters are varied from about 0.2 mm to 3 mm. The experimental data collected is offered as a resourceful database for future development of an analytical model of particle impact damping.