Free vibrations of linear viscoelastic polymer cantilever beams

Overview & Synopsis

The free vibrations of cantilever slender beams of polymers, which are viscoelastic materials, are theoretically described using the simple Euler–Bernoulli assumption. The comparison between the theory and the experimental data collected for a thermoplastic elastomer, polyether block amide, shows very satisfactory results. Consequently, the theory is used for a thoughtful analysis of the impact of the material parameters and the beam geometry on its free vibration. Finally, the comparison of the dynamic behaviors of two polymers, using the free vibration test and a simple uniaxial tension/relaxation test, is discussed.