Exploring Parametric Resonance in Metastructures for Vibration Control

• Grant number: 25/21757-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2026
• End date: March 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanics of Solids
• Principal Investigator: Paulo José Paupitz Gonçalves
• Grantee: Estênio Fuzaro de Almeida
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Metastructures and metamaterial-inspired systems offer new possibilities for vibration control, particularly when their properties are modulated. Among these possibilities, parametric resonance and passive absorbers have emerged as promising mechanisms to achieve vibration suppression with potentially low energy requirements. Its exploitation in mechanical metastructures, however, still requires systematic investigation from theory to experiment. This PhD project aims to explore how parametric resonance can be harnessed for robust vibration attenuation in metastructures. The research will cover modelling, design and laboratory validation, seeking to clarify the links between space-time modulation of structural properties and the resulting dynamic behaviour. Specific goals include: developing reduced-order and high-order models of periodic and metastructures with time-varying parameters; identifying design principles that relate modulation characteristics to wave propagation control; evaluating feasible actuation schemes to implement parametric modulation; and designing, fabricating and testing a beam (or lattice) based prototype with programmable modulation. Benchmark comparisons with traditional tuned mass dampers and passive metamaterials will provide reference points for performance evaluation. The expected contribution is to advance the fundamental understanding of parametric resonance in metastructures and to generate knowledge that may guide future developments in passive and semi-passive vibration control. (AU)