Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Temperature-Dependent Damping Ratio in an Aluminum Beam

Authors

1 Mechanical Engineering Department, Bozorgmehr Univesity of Qaenat

2 Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman

10.22044/jsfm.2026.17236.4031

Abstract

As one of the key parameters in the analysis and control of structural vibrations, damping plays a decisive role in the stability, fatigue life and dynamic performance of mechanical systems. In this research, the behavior of the damping coefficient of aluminum beams (T6-6160) under temperature changes in the range of 60 to 100 ◦C has been investigated experimentally and analytically. The experiments were performed on cantilever aluminum beams with different lengths (15, 16.5, 18, 19.5 and 21 cm). To create uniform thermal conditions, an industrial hair dryer and an insulating environment were used, and free vibration data were extracted from recorded videos with Tracker software. Then, using the logarithmic decrement method, the experimental damping coefficient was determined and compared with the theoretical values where obtained from modeling in MATLAB software. The results showed that in shorter beams, an increase in temperature causes a significant decrease in the damping coefficient, while in longer beams, an increasing trend was observed. This paradoxical behavior is caused by a combination of thermoelastic effects, reduction of Young's modulus, local thermal gradient, and activation of microscopic slip mechanisms at high temperatures. In general, the results show that the damping coefficient of aluminum beams has a non-linear and temperature-dependent behavior. So the thermal effects should be considered in dynamic analysis in the design of vibration-sensitive structures such as bridges, airplanes and mechanical components.

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Journal of Solid and Fluid Mechanics
Volume 16, Issue 2
July and August 2026
Pages 157-168

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