Modelling comparison for harmonic dynamic characteristics of a silicone-oil-filled rubber isolator and response analysis of a single DOF system

In practical engineering applications, especially for earthmoving equipment, silicone-oil-filled rubber isolators have shown better vibration isolation performance than common rubber isolators. The silicone oil path presents complex dynamic properties. This paper mainly studies the dynamic characteristics of the isolator by modelling in different ways. Four viscoelastic models, namely Maxwell, fractional Maxwell, Zener and fractional Zener models, are established, respectively. The dynamic stiffness, storage stiffness, loss stiffness and loss factor are calculated, respectively. The results show that the fractional derivative models are more consistent with the experimental results. Moreover, the fractional Zener model can make up for lack of stiffness of the fractional Maxwell model. Finally, harmonic responses of a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) vibration isolation system are examined, where the fractional Zener model is used. The dynamic magnification factor, phase angle and force transmissibility are respectively calculated in the frequency domain and the effects of the design parameters are discussed.