Broadband vibration reduction of cylindrical shell structures with circumferential taper scatters

In this study, circumferential taper wedges are proposed to reduce broadband vibrations reduction in a circular cylindrical shell. The structural damping characteristics and vibration response of the circular cylindrical shell with circumferential taper wedges are analyzed based on an analytical wave propagation model developed using the symplectic method. The taper wedge is segmented uniformly using a Gaussian discretization method based on the power law, which effectively addresses the non-uniformity of the taper wedge. Meanwhile, the amplitude of each uniform segment is evaluated using the analytical wave propagation model. The accuracy and effectiveness of the homogenization approximation of the analytical model are validated using the finite-element method. Additionally, the forced vibration response and damping characteristics of the circular cylindrical shell, which incorporate both uniform and taper wedges under various boundary conditions, are investigated. The results show that compared with a uniform wedge, the taper wedge provides greater damping, i.e., up to six the damping afforded by a uniform wedge. Despite the relatively short length of the taper wedge, the latter can achieve significant broadband vibration suppression in the host circular cylindrical shell. Additionally, under any boundary condition, the taper wedge can reduce broadband vibrations in the circular cylindrical shell. Finally, the distance between the excitation source and taper wedge significantly affects the vibration attenuation in the circular cylindrical shell.