Abstract:
Viscoelastic damping material is one of the basic type of damping materials came to
knowledge in the midst of the nineteenth century. An extensive study has been done since then
in studying the properties of the material and a lot of models have been developed. As the
properties of the material depend largely on temperature and frequency, it becomes even more
difficult to design.
In this dissertation work, a rubber ply is used as a viscoelastic damping material. This rubber ply
is obtained from grinding the upper or outer core of the used heavy rubber tyres. This rubber ply
has a steel mesh like a fencing inside it. This helps to exhibit the elastic properties thus required
for the viscoelastic damping material.
This dissertation includes, experimental study of the RC beams with and without viscoelastic
dampers which are subjected to free vibration test. Each model is cast and then attached by the
method of free layered damping technique with the help of epoxy called salbond. This study
mainly highlights the need of damping in the structure and the effect of viscoelastic damping
material.
As the rubber ply which obtained from the waste and worn out tyre, it helps in good cause for
the environment as lot of harmful chemicals are released into the atmosphere by burning these
tyres. This rubber ply is also very economical and significantly increases the damping value of
the structure.
