Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Experiments on Vibration Mitigation with a Mass-Spring-Series Model

Abstract

Chen-Ming Kuo ,Chih-Chiang Lin *,Yi-Rong Lin ,Cheng-Hao Huang

A mass-spring-series model was assembled and tested using displacement-controlled vibrations in order to validate the effectiveness of vibration mitigation in a floating slab track. A mass mounted with an accelerometer was isolated with a spring from the vibration source. The other end of the mass was also connected with a spring to the fixed end. The spring coefficients and natural frequencies of the mass-spring combinations were carefully measured and verified. The time histories of the vibration amplitude indicated that properly tuned combinations of mass and springs effectively retain vibrations in the designated mass and reduce propagation and reflection. It was determined that using a stiff spring to confront the excitation source and a soft spring as a foundation isolator may alleviate vibration propagation and reduce vibrations reflected to the excitation. The drawbacks of the experimental design were also discussed.