Dynamic analysis and performance evaluation of nonlinear inerter-based vibration isolators

This paper investigates a nonlinear inertance mechanism (NIM) for vibration mitigation and evaluates the performance of nonlinear vibration isolators employing such mechanism. The NIM comprises a pair of oblique inerters with one common hinged terminal and the other terminals fixed. The addition of the NIM to a linear spring-damper isolator and to nonlinear quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) isolators is considered. The harmonic balance method is used to derive the steady-state frequency response relationship and force transmissibility of the isolators subjected to harmonic force excitations. Different performance indices associated with the dynamic displacement response and force transmissibility are employed to evaluate the performance of the resulting isolators. It is found that the frequency response curve of the inerter-based nonlinear isolation system with the NIM and a linear stiffness bends towards the low-frequency range, similar to the characteristics of the Duffing oscillator with softening stiffness. It is shown that the addition of NIM to a QZS isolator enhances vibration isolation performance by providing a wider frequency band of low amplitude response and force transmissibility. These findings provide a better understanding of the functionality of the NIM and assist in better designs of nonlinear passive vibration mitigation systems with inerters.