Vibration suppression of spatial pipes with varied clamp configurations: dynamic modeling and experimental validation

Clamps play a critical role in vibration control and structural integrity of spatial pipe systems, particularly in aerospace applications. However, the influence of different clamp configurations on the dynamic response of complex pipe structures remains insufficiently explored. To address this issue, a spatial pipe model for aircraft engines is developed using incompatible hexahedral elements (IHE) and the penalty function method. The mechanical properties of various clamps are experimentally measured and incorporated into the dynamic model. The acceleration and stress responses of different clamp-pipe systems subjected to base harmonic excitations are analyzed. Furthermore, two quantitative indices are proposed to evaluate the vibration suppression performance of different clamps. The results reveal that higher clamp stiffness reduces the vibration acceleration but may simultaneously increase the vibration stress. Among the clamp configurations, the segmented metal-rubber clamp (SMRC) consistently demonstrates favorable vibration suppression across multiple operating conditions. The hoop-shaped metal-rubber clamp (HMRC) performs best under high-pressure rotor excitation, while the P-shaped rubber clamp (PRC) exhibits the most effective vibration suppression at the first-order resonance.