Abstract:
Inertial amplification is a novel phononic band gap generation method in which wide vibration stop bands can be obtained at low frequency regions. The engineering importance for this novelty comes from the fact that the phononic band gap structures can be utilized as passive vibration isolators for the low frequency range. In this thesis, primarily the research is focused on the improvements achieved on stop band widths and depths via employment of structural optimization tools. To that end, size, shape and topology optimization studies are conducted on a compliant inertial amplification mechanism, then with these compliant unit cell mechanisms, one and two dimensional periodic structures are formed. Consequently, by means of these periodic structures, it is demonstrated that the vibration transmission is inhibited for wide ranges at low frequencies. The work comprises analytical and numerical studies and more import antly experimental validation of the results. Moreover, topology optimization studies performed during the thesis lead to the development of a new fast topology optimiz ation algorithm to obtain structures with maximized fundamental frequency, though this was not originally among the research objectives. Finally, explicit problem formu lations and a comprehensive review on topology optimization are also presented.
