Wave propagation and power flow analysis of sandwich structures with internal absorbers

This study examines wave attenuation and power flow characteristics of sandwich beams with internal absorbers. Two types of absorbing systems embedded in the core are considered, namely, a conventional spring-mass-dashpot system having a mass with a spring and a dashpot in parallel, and a relaxation system containing an additional relaxation spring added in series with the dashpot. Analytical continuum models used for interpreting the attenuation behavior of sandwich structures are presented. Through the analysis of the power flowing into the structure, the correlation of wave attenuation and energy blockage is revealed. The reduction in the power flow indicates that some amount of energy produced by the external force can be effectively obstructed by internal absorbers. The effects of parameters on peak attenuation, bandwidth, and power flow are also studied.