Modal loss factor analysis for sandwich beams embedded with multiple viscoelastic damping thin layers

The high-order discrete layer-wise theory and a beam finite element were proposed for predicting the natural frequencies and modal loss factors of sandwich damping beams with multiple thin visco-elastic layers. The finite element formulations built by the high-order theory were present. Integrating with the modal strain energy method, the modal loss factor formulas were developed for the complicated sandwich damping beams. Numerical results and evaluations of the present method with traditional hybrid finite elements and experimental results were given. It was clear that the present method is more effective, higher precision and lower expense.