Estimation of statistical energy analysis loss factor for fiber reinforced plastics plate of yachts

Loss factor is one of the most significant parameters of Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) which represents the damping loss characteristics of a system and indicates the ability of its vibration energy consumption. In order to estimate it, the power input method (PIM) and the impulse response decay method (IRDM) have become widely used especially when the object of study is made of Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) of which dynamic interaction is really complicated. Numerical simulation is also applied to analyze the loss factor of the spring-damping-system with single degree of freedom (SDOF) using MATLAB to introduce the identification procedure of PIM and IRDM. With the comparison of the methods, the analytical study indicates these techniques are effective for the estimation of loss factor. This paper focuses on an experimental approach to get the SEA loss factor of FRP plate and the test investigations are performed in detail. The requirements and limitations of each method applied are discussed and PIM is a better solution dealing with this kind of the composite material. The loss factor of test specimen is obtained to provide a valuable reference for the prediction and control of vibration and noise of yachts with SEA.