Electrorheological (ER) materials consisting of alumino-silicate in fluorinated liquids are experimentally studied with the objective of developing mathematical models of the observed dynamic behaviour. Experiments investigating the oscillatory behaviour of ER materials in shear are carried out over a frequency range of 1-45 Hz. Mathematical models are developed by three approaches: first, a global equivalent linear system approach; second, a parametric identification in which a mechanical model is developed; and third, a non-parametric method which approximates the experimentally measured non-linear restoring force. Models of ER material behaviour would greatly aid designers to better evaluate the appropriateness of these materials for a specific application. One such practical application of interest explored is in the area of vibration control. An auxiliary mass damper using an ER device is found to be capable of reducing the steady-state response of a system by an additional 30 when compared to an optimal linear viscous damper.
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