EXPERIMENTAL CHARACTERISATION OF DRY FRICTION ISOLATORS FOR SHOCK VIBRATION ISOLATION

An overview of the use of shock isolators based on dry friction is briefly presented, discussing possibilities for the development of a more efficient shock isolation system. Cable isolators, also known as wire rope are studied. Such isolators present nonlinear stiffness behaviour in different axes, as well as dry friction damping and are known for being excellent shock isolators. However, little is known about the actual dynamic behaviour under shock loading. Different commercially available samples are studied, for several configurations and load rates. The stiffness and damping of these models are quantified experimentally, and then this data is used to calculate the shock response both theoretically and validated experimentally, discussing their advantages over a classic linear system with viscous damping. The combination of these two properties in a further mathematical model is suggested for the modelling of dry friction isolators available off the shelf.