This paper reports an experimental setup aiming at evaluating the performance of a newly designed magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) seismic isolator. As a further effort to explore the field-dependent stiffness/damping properties of the MRE isolator, a series of experimental testing were conducted. Based upon the analysis of the experimental responses and the characteristics of the MRE isolator, a new model that is capable of reproducing the unique MRE isolator dynamics behaviors is proposed. The validation results verify the model’s effectiveness to portray the MRE isolator. A study on the field-dependent parameters is then provided to make the model valid with fluctuating magnetic fields. To fully explore the mechanism of the proposed model, an investigation relating the dependence of the proposed model on every parameter is carried out.

This study presents an adaptive tuned vibration absorber (ATVA) which is based on magnetorheological elastomer (MRE). Traditional dynamic absorber has limited its application and vibration absorption capacity for its narrow working frequency bandwidth. MRE is a kind of smart material whose modulus can be controlled by applied magnetic field. Based on MREs, an ATVA which works on shear mode is proposed in this study. After the vibration mode shapes of the ATVA are analyzed, the mechanical structure of the ATVA is brought forward. Then the magnetic circuit of the ATVA is identified by ANSYS software. By using a modified dipole model, the shift-frequency properties of the ATVA versus magnetic field and strains are theoretically analyzed and simulated. Furthermore, by employing a beam with two ends supported, its shift-frequency property and vibration absorption capacity are experimentally justified. The experimental results demonstrate that the designed ATVA has better performance than traditional passive absorber in terms of frequency-shift property and vibration absorption capacity.