Experimental validation of a nonlinear mass damper enabled by movable track parts

This study presents the development and experimental validation of movable-track nonlinear energy sinks (MT-NESs) as an innovative approach for vibration control of structures. Building upon previous track-based NESs, MT-NESs are designed to offer versatile nonlinearities while reducing installation weight. First, the components and equation of motion of MT-NESs are introduced. Subsequently, the numerical model considering both viscous and frictional damping is validated through experiments. The experimental results demonstrate the control effectiveness and robustness of a MT-NES with bistable tracks against various impulsive excitations. While the study focuses on a specific MT-NES, it highlights the potential for MT-NESs to serve as a practical solution for nonlinear control technologies, paving the way for their widespread application in engineering structures.