Traditional sound-absorbing materials, which are intended to address the issue of low-frequency noise control in automobile air-conditioning duct mufflers, have limited noise reduction effects in small spaces. Because of their straightforward structure and excellent controllability, acoustic metamaterials—particularly Helmholtz resonators—have emerged as a research hotspot in low-frequency noise reduction. However, existing technologies have issues such as restricted structural scale, narrow absorption frequency bands, and conflicts with ventilation requirements. To address these, this paper proposes a new type of Helmholtz perforated and tortuous-characteristic duct muffler for the unit cell of acoustic metamaterials. Through the innovative structural design combining a perforated panel with a multi-channel tortuous cavity, the length of the channel is changed in a limited space, thereby extending the sound wave propagation path and enhancing the dissipation of sound wave energy. Meanwhile, for the muffler, acoustic theoretical modeling, finite element simulation, and parametric optimization methods are adopted to systematically analyze the influence of its key structural parameters on the sound transmission loss (STL) of the muffler. Compared with the traditional folded-channel metamaterial, the two differ in resonance frequency by 38 Hz, in transmission loss by 1.157 dB, and in effective bandwidth by 1 Hz. This research provides theoretical support and design basis for solving the problem of low-frequency noise control in ventilation ducts, improves low-frequency broadband sound absorption performance, and promotes the engineering application of high-efficiency noise reduction devices.

Shock absorbers are essential in enhancing vehicle ride comfort by mitigating vibrations. However, traditional rubber shock absorbers are constrained by their fixed stiffness and damping properties, limiting their adaptability to varying loads and thus affecting the ride comfort, especially under extreme road conditions. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs), known for their intelligent material properties, offer a unique solution by adjusting stiffness and damping in response to temperature changes or strain rates, making them ideal for advanced vibration control applications. This study builds upon the Auricchio constitutive model to propose an enhanced SMA hyper-elastic constitutive model that accounts for different loading rates. This new model elucidates the impact of loading rates on the stiffness and damping characteristics of SMAs. Additionally, we introduce an innovative circular rubber-based SMA composite vibration reduction structure. Through a parameterized model and finite element simulation, we comprehensively analyze the stiffness and damping properties of the composite damper under various loading rates and harmonic excitations. Our findings suggest a novel approach to improving the vehicle ride comfort, offering significant potential for engineering applications and practical value.

The suspension system of a commercial vehicle cab plays a crucial role in enhancing ride comfort by mitigating vibrations. However, conventional rubber suspension systems have relatively fixed stiffness and damping properties, rendering them inflexible to load variations and resulting in suboptimal ride comfort under extreme road conditions. Shape memory alloys (SMAs) represent an innovative class of intelligent materials characterized by superelasticity, shape memory effects, and high damping properties. Recent advancements in materials science and engineering technology have focused on rubber-based SMA composite dampers due to their adjustable stiffness and damping through temperature or strain rate. This paper investigates how various structural parameters affect the stiffness and damping characteristics of sleeve-type rubber-based SMA composite vibration dampers. We developed a six-degree-of-freedom vibration differential equation and an Adams multi-body dynamics model for the rubber-based SMA suspension system in commercial vehicle cabins. We validated the model’s reliability through theoretical analysis and simulation comparisons. To achieve a 45% increase in stiffness and a 64.5% increase in damping, we optimized the suspension system’s z-axis stiffness and damping parameters under different operating conditions. This optimization aimed to minimize the z-axis vibration acceleration at the driver’s seat. We employed response surface methodology to design the composite shock absorber structure and then conducted a comparative analysis of the vibration reduction performance of the optimized front and rear suspension systems. This study provides significant theoretical foundations and practical guidelines for enhancing the performance of commercial vehicle cab suspension systems.

The subject of ship structural dynamics has faced new technological obstacles due to scientific and technological advancements, and one of the main concerns in related sectors is how to effectively reduce the vibration levels of different ships. This article focuses on the application scenarios of ship floating raft isolation systems, establishing a wave propagation model for acoustic black hole (ABH) structures based on the idea of the ABH effect. Then, a transfer matrix model for serially connected ABH structures is derived, which serves as a basis for subsequent structural designs. Second, the finite element method is used to study the energy distribution and vibration characteristics of a symmetrically distributed periodic non-uniform multi-level ABH structure. Meanwhile, it examines its bandgap distribution under a one-dimensional periodic arrangement and then investigates the vibration properties of non-uniform multi-level ABH thin-plate constructions with different periods from the perspective of engineering applications. Moreover, parameter optimization studies of non-uniform multi-level ABH structures with finite periods are carried out with an emphasis on engineering applications. The first step is to use the design space to determine the range of values for the parameters that need to be optimized. The hyper Latin cubic sampling method is then employed to select samples, and the EI criterion and PSO optimization algorithm are applied to add new samples to improve the Kriging surrogate model’s accuracy. When the optimal structural parameters have been determined, they are applied to the raft rib plate to verify the isolation effect of the non-uniform multi-level ABH structure by analyzing the vibration level difference at specific raft positions before and after embedding it.

The vibration noise of plate structures in engineering is strongly related to the modal resonance, and modal design is the key to improve the dynamic characteristics of plate structures and avoid structural resonance. This paper investigates the dynamic and mode characteristics for an edge periodic acoustic black hole plate structure to provide a new approach to vibration and sound attenuation in plate structures. Firstly, based on the principles of symmetry and periodicity, this work presents the geometrical modeling and mathematical description of a rectangular plate with symmetrical periodic acoustic black holes at its edge. Then, it presents the dynamic modeling of a rectangular plate with periodic acoustic black holes at its edge via the “remove-and-fill” substitution method, which reveals the effects of the structural parameters and period distribution, etc., on the modal characteristics of vibration. The study indicates that the power law index, radius, number and configuration (e.g., semicircular, rectangular block shape) of the edge periodic acoustic black holes significantly affect the modal frequency of the rectangular plate, and increasing the radius of the acoustic black holes or the number of the black holes results in a decrease in the modal frequency of the rectangular plate. Moreover, the four-side symmetric layout achieves broader modal frequency modulation, while semicircular acoustic black holes can achieve a lower modal frequency compared with the rectangular wedge-shaped acoustic black hole. The theoretical model is verified by finite element simulation (FEM) and experiments, in which the errors of the first six modal frequencies are within 2%. The research in this paper provides a theoretical basis for the realization of modal frequency control in plate structures and the suppression of structural resonance through the design of edge periodic acoustic black hole structures.

Acoustic coatings play a vital role in enhancing the acoustic stealth of underwater structures across the full depth range and, especially, in the low-frequency band. However, existing small-scale acoustic coatings struggle to achieve low-frequency broadband sound absorption, which limits further performance improvements. Ni₅₀Ti₅₀ alloy, with their shape memory effect, hyper elasticity, and high damping properties, offer promising applications in vibration and noise control. In this study, a rubber-based Ni₅₀Ti₅₀ alloy multilayer acoustic coating is proposed, based on the sound absorption mechanism of rubber and the vibration and noise reduction mechanism of Ni₅₀Ti₅₀ alloy. The sound absorption characteristics of the proposed composite coating were obtained through analytical derivations, numerical simulations, and experimental investigations. The objective was to combine the high-frequency absorption capability of rubber and the low-frequency absorption characteristics of Ni₅₀Ti₅₀ alloy without increasing material dimensions, thereby introducing a novel approach for the design of the next generation of underwater acoustic coatings.