Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

9. Introduction to Magneto-rheological (MR)

Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Source: Lord Corp.

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Basics about Magneto-Rheological (MR) Fluids

Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluids also belong to the family of smart materials. MR is
oil based with suspensions of micron-sized, magnetizable particles. Under normal
conditions, a MR Fluid is a free-flowing liquid with a consistency similar to that of
motor oil. Exposure to a magnetic field, however, can transform the fluid into a nearsolid in milliseconds. Just as quickly, the fluid can be returned to its liquid state with
the removal of the field. The change can appear as a very large change in effective
viscosity. MR Fluid technology can provide flexible control capabilities in designs that
are far less complicated and more reliable than conventional electro-mechanical
products. When sandwiched as layers into airplane wings and building girders, these
materials can be called upon to stiffen a composite material, later returning it to a
more flexible state when the magnetic field is removed. Lord Corp. commercially sales
MR fluids at about $150 per pint.

Video Source: Lord Corp.

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

CONTROLLABLE FLUIDS
ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL ("ER") FLUIDS
Respond to electric fields
Early work by Willis Winslow ~1947

MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL ("MR") FLUIDS

Respond to magnetic fields
Early work by Jacob Rabinow ~1948

Controllable fluids are examples of Smart Materials

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Early History of Controllable Fluids

ER Fluids:
Willis Winslow
"Induced Fibration of Suspensions"
Journal of Applied Physics, 20 (1949) 1137-1140.
"Method and Means for Translating Electrical Impulses Into Mechanical Force"
U. S. Patent 2,417,850 (1947).
MR Fluids:
Jacob Rabinow (US National Bureau of Standards)
"The Magnetic Fluid Clutch"
AIEE Transactions, 67 (1948) 1308-1315.
"Magnetic Fluid Torque and Force Transmitting Device"
U. S. Patent 2,575,360 (1951).

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Basic MR Fluid Composition

Liquid Vehicle:
mineral oil, synthetic hydrocarbon oil, silicone oil, water, glycol,
synthetic ester, perfluorinated polyether, ....
Polarizable Particles:
carbonyl iron, powdered iron, iron/cobalt alloys, nickel alloys, ....
large saturation magnetization
20-40% by volume typical
1 - 10 micron typical
multi-domain
magnetic interaction energy >> kT
Other Additives:
suspending agents, thixotropes, anti-wear and anti-corrosion
additives, friction modifiers

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Why MR Fluids ?
Yield Stress MR fluids have a yield stress an order of magnitude greater than
their ER
counterpart (ER fluids y(field)= 2-5 kPa, MR fluids y(field)=50-100 kPa).
The design equations indicate that for comparable mechanical
performance the amount of active fluid needed in an ER fluid device will
be about two orders of magnitude greater than that of an MR device.
Power ER and MR fluid devices have similar power requirements of ~ 50
watts
(ER fluids 20005000 Volts, 110 mA, MR fluids 1224 Volts, 12 A).
MR devices can be run directly on common low-voltage power sources.
Stability ER fluids are highly sensitive to contaminants or impurities.
Contaminants have little effect on the MR fluids.
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Source: Lord Corp.

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Bridges with MR Dampers

Implementation of Magneto-rheological Dampers to Cablestayed Bridges for Wind-rain-induced Vibration Control
Lord Corporation Supplies 320 MR Fluid Dampers for
Cable-Stayed Bridge Retrofit to Control Wind Vibration
A cceleration

D ata acquisition system

A ccelerom eter

Exciting force

A cceleration

Steel rope

D isplacem ent of piston

L oad cell

Testing

T rigger

A ccelerom eter
D isplacem ent gauge

M R dam per attached

Steel rope
E ccentric m otor
D eck

Dong Ting Lake Bridge

Hunan Province, PRC
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Support

D C pow er

8.40

Source: Dr. Ni of The

Hong Kong Polytechnic
University

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Vibration Control of the Dongting Lake Bridge

- Application of Magneto-Rheological (MR) Fluid Devices

0.14

MR damper

0.24
0.30

Cable
8
0.1

54

In-plane accelerometer

Out-of-plane accelerometer

Displacement transducer

Source: Dr. Ni of The Hong Kong

Polytechnic University
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

2.25

MR damper

Support

II

Foundation

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Wind-rain-induced vibration
(without MR damper)

Source: Dr. Ni of The Hong

Kong Polytechnic University
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Effectiveness of the MR damper (Only one installed)

Source: Dr. Ni of The Hong Kong

Polytechnic University
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Effectiveness of the MR damper (All installed, except one)

Source: The Hong Kong

Polytechnic University
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Possible Use of MR Dampers at the Future Stonecutters Bridge

Length of the longest stay cable = 536 m

Stonecutters Bridge with a main span of 1018 m

Experimental setup
Source: The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

A Ramp with MR Dampers

Model of ramp-RRDF
system

Block Diagram of the

Semi-Active Control System
Dimensions are based on Cape T ramp dimensions:
Length = 102, width = 26; Self-weight = 116 tons;

MR Ramp

Weight under load (one tank) = 197 tons

Model ramp specifications:
Length = 96, width = 24; Self-weight = 89 lbs;
Additional masses totaling 150 lbs added to obtain
modes representing loaded Cape T ramp

Source: PhD thesis of G. Yang,

Univ. of Notre Dame
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

RO/RO ships vehicle ramp

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Fabrication and Assembly

Ramp/RRDF Model Concept

Scale Ramp Design Parameters

Source: PhD thesis of G. Yang, Univ. of Notre Dame
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Cable with MR Damper

Smart shear mode MR fluid damper

Phenomenological model

Schematic of semiactive
arctangent damper model

Source: PhD thesis of R. E. Christenson,

Univ. of Notre Dame
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Permanent magnet shaker is

used to excite the cable.

In-plane static profile z(x)

and dynamic loading
f(x,t) of inclined cable

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Truss with MR Damper

Example Truss with Critical

Members and MR Damper

Source:
Joseph A.
Dowd Texas
A&M
University
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Model HighRise Building

Arrangement of Damper, Brace, and
Accelerometers on Building Model

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Vibration Reduction of Adjacent Buildings using MR

Damp/Coupler

Uncoupled building model

MR Dampers Coupling

Sensors installation
Source: Polytech. University of Hong Kong,
Hong Kong, PRC
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Testing of MR-coupled building model

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Building Vibration Control using MR Dampers

Source: Lord Corp.

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Bypass type 20-ton MR fluid damper

developed by the Sanwa Teki
Corporation.
Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

The Nihon-Kagaku-Miraikan Building

Nihon-Kagaku-Miraikan
National Museum of Emerging
Science and Innovation
Tokyo, Japan, 2001

Japans National Museum of

Emerging Science and
Innovation, an interactive
museum featuring some of the
worlds most scientifically
creative concepts, has been
constructed with a unique
earthquake control system that
includes custom-designed
magnetorheological (MR) fluid
dampers developed by Lord
Corporation. The MR seismic
dampers also form part of the
seven-story museums exhibits.

Source: Lord Corp.

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Source: Lord Corp.

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Source: Lord Corp.

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Vibration Isolation Using MR Damper

Movie:

A Vibration Isolation Device using MR Damper at University of Houston

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Base Isolation Using MR Damper

Controller implementation:
v=VmaxH{(fopt-fmeas)fmeas}

Two degree-of-freedom (2DOF) models.

Experimental setup.
Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Source: B.F. Spencer, Jr., et al.

http://www.nd.edu/~quake/

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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Intelligent Structural Systems

A base isolation
system with MR
dampers

9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Five-story structure model and parameters

Control Results: There was no decrease in

the maximum control forces compared with the
continuous controlled structure. However, the
most important feature of the selective control
strategy was that it significantly reduced the
energy required for activation of the dampers
compared with that obtained by the continuous
control one.
Source: Y. Ribakov1, et al. 2002

Eight-story structure

Earthquake Engr. Struct. Dyn. 2002; 31:13011324 (DOI: 10.1002/eqe.164)

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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9. Introduction to MR Fluid and its Engineering Applications

Possible locations for installing MR damper

Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Edited by: Dr. Song with assistance from Mr. Zeng

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