The application of pre-tensioned rubber pads in vibration suppression of prestressed concrete beams

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to use the rubber pads to increase damping ratio of the beam in order that the beam vibration should be eventually suppressed. In this study, the rubber pad was securely attached to underneath of the prestressed 20 meter in length I beam. The vibration test was carried out by using a concrete cube 50x80x40 cm to impact the beam and the results were used to calculate the damping ratio. There are in total 4 test schemes. The first scheme is the vibration test of the beam without rubber pad strengthening. The second third and fourth scheme are the beam with 1 3 and 5 rubber pads respectively. The test results showed that the PC I beam has damping ration around 1.34%. After strengthening with single rubber pad, the damping ration of the beam is 1.68%. When 3 and 5 rubber pads were used, the damping ratio of the beam is 1.99 and 3.31 respectively. The test results revealed that the prestress rubber pads could help to increase damping ratio up to twice when 5 rubber pads were used. The application of rubber pads to suppress real bridge vibration should be further study.