Dynamic characterisation of rubber mounts

In this paper a simple time domain based experimental identification procedure is proposed to evaluate the frequency dependent rubber mount stiffness and damping characteristics by using the measured hysteresis loops obtained from the cyclic tests. Using these characteristics, the dynamic response calculations of the rubber mount system, treating the mount as a viscoelastic element are carried out. The study shows a huge variation in the rubber mount stiffness and captures the frequency dependent damping quite well. By applying the evaluated properties, the simulated response of a typical automotive engine seems to improve as opposed to that of constant property models.