Author(s)

Bocheng Teng ¹, Yutong Zhang ¹, Mengdie Zhang ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Key Laboratory of Engineering Seismic Protection and Structural, Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China

Corresponding Author

Bocheng Teng

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the influence of the mechanical properties of powder-damper filling media on the hysteretic response of powder dampers by combining material property tests with PFC-based discrete element simulations. Density, angle of repose, internal friction angle, particle gradation, and equivalent elastic modulus tests were carried out on five powder materials, namely silty soil, sand, magnetite, iron powder, and talc powder. Based on the test results, a PFC2D model of the powder damper was established, and the hysteretic curves under different filling media conditions were analyzed. The results show that all five powder materials can form closed hysteresis loops, although significant differences are observed in reaction force level, loop area, and stability. Materials with high density and high stiffness are more favorable for improving load-carrying capacity, whereas materials with high friction characteristics are more conducive to enhancing energy dissipation capacity. A parameter sensitivity analysis using iron powder as the reference material indicates that density, equivalent elastic modulus, friction coefficient, and particle gradation have significant effects on the hysteretic performance of the damper.

KEYWORDS

Powder damper; powder medium; PFC simulation; hysteresis curve

CITE THIS PAPER

Bocheng Teng, Yutong Zhang, Mengdie Zhang. Research on the Hysteresis Performance of Powder Dampers Based on Media Property Tests and PFC Simulation. Journal of Civil Engineering and Urban Planning (2026). Vol. 8, No.1, 203-216. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/jceup.2026.080120.

REFERENCES

[1] Bao Zeyuan, Ding Xiaohong, Li Haidong, et al. Analysis of Factors Affecting the Damping Performance of Powder Particle Dampers [J]. Mechanical Design and Research, 2024,40(06):110–115. DOI: 10.13952/j.cnki.jofmdr.2024.0259.
[2] Xu Shuang, Xu Jialin, Xu Chengshun, et al. Discrete element analysis of the effect of particle fragmentation on the macro-and meso-mechanical properties of hydrate sediment matrices [J]. Journal of Solar Energy, 2024,45(06):680–690. DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2023-0211.
[3] Ido Y ,Suzuki Y ,Iwamoto Y .Damper force of a separated dual-chamber single-rod type damper using permanent magnet elastomer particles[J]. International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics,2025, 78(1-3): 228-233. DOI:10.1177/13835416251328313.
[4] Liu Chang, Chen Xiaoxue, Zhang Wen, et al. Study on the microscopic parameter calibration process for parallel bonding in PFC numerical simulation [J]. Value Engineering, 2017,36(26):204–207. DOI: 10.14018/j.cnki.cn13-1085/n.2017.26.082.
[5] Wen Chen, Huang Min, Qiu Xianyang, et al. Research on an SVR-based method for auxiliary calibration of PFC microparameters [J]. Golden Science and Technology, 2024,32(04):675–684.
[6] Huang Yunwen. Research on the Performance of Granular Dampers [D]. Beijing University of Technology, 2011.
[7] Yu Song, Xu Mengbing, Feng Zhiguo, et al. Experimental study on the damping ratio characteristics of loose fine silt soils under different saturation conditions [J]. Journal of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute, 2025,42(11):103–110.
[8] Wang Ye, Yan Qingzhi, Zhang Xiaolu, et al. Effect of iron powder type on the performance of copper-based powder metallurgy friction materials [J]. Journal of Beijing University of Science and Technology, 2014,36(04):467–472. DOI: 10.13374/j.issn1001-053x.2014.04.008.
[9] Yang Xiaodong, Pang Jianguang. Research on Synergistic Reinforcement of HNBR with Talc Powder/Carbon Black [J]. Special Rubber Products, 2021,42(04):11–15+38. DOI: 10.16574/j.cnki.issn1005-4030.2021.04.003.
[10] Huang Chaojian. Research on Dynamic Shock Absorbers for Maglev Switches Based on Particle Damping Technology [D]. Southwest Jiaotong University, 2023. DOI: 10.27414/d.cnki.gxnju. 2023.001114.
[11] Liu Songfeng. Investigation into the Structure and Properties of Iron(III) Oxide [J]. Mathematical Problem Solving Research, 2016, (25):79.
[12] Zhong Wenzhen, Yang Chao, Chai Yinfu, et al. Advances in Experimental Research on External Friction Coefficient of Powders [J]. Powder Metallurgy Technology, 2024,42(04):437-450. DOI: 10.19591/j.cnki.cn11-1974/tf.2022050013.
[13] Rong Tiennan. A Preliminary Study on the Impact of Technical Specifications of Ethiopian-Grade Graded Gravel Subbase on Road Durability [J]. Construction Machinery, 2022, (12):10-12. DOI: 10.14189/j.cnki.cm1981.2022.12.021.
[14] Liu Shaoxing, Ren Honglei. Particle flow analysis of the influence of non-through parallel joints on rock mechanical properties [J]. Water Resources Science and Technology & Economics, 2021,27(10):23-27.
[15] Du Jun, Zhang Wenliang, Zhu Yinghao, et al. Study on Power Distribution Characteristics of Rotating Buried Cutting Roll Based on the Discrete Element Method [J]. Journal of Anhui Agricultural University, 2020,47(06):1031–1037. DOI: 10.13610/j.cnki.1672-352x.20210112.004.
[16] Zhang Zhihua, Zhang Guodong, Li Mindi, et al. Analysis of the Influence of Mesoscopic Parameters on the Macroscopic Mechanical Properties of Coarse-grained Soils in Particle Flow Models [J]. Journal of Water Resources, 2014,45(S2):215–220. DOI: 10.13243/j.cnki.slxb.2014.S2.034.
[17] Zhou W, Xu M. DEM analysis of the influence of particle shape on the small-strain stiffness of granular materials[J]. Computers and Geotechnics,2025,179106996. DOI:10.1016/J.COMPGEO.2024.106996.
[18] Jelinek B ,Card A ,Mason L G , et al. Tractive performance of rigid wheel in granular media using coarse-scale DEM models[J]. Journal of Terramechanics, 2025, 117101016..
[19] Shilan T S, Mazlan A S, Khairi A H M, et al. Properties of plate-like carbonyl iron particle for magnetorheological fluid[J]. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2016,776(1):012033. DOI:10.1088/1742-6596/776/1/012033.

Sponsors, Associates, and Links

---

• Journal of Sustainable Development and Green Buildings
  
  
• Landscape and Urban Horticulture
  
  
• Bridge and Structural Engineering
  
  
• Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
  
  
• Journal of Municipal Engineering
  
  
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
  
  
• Indoor Air Quality and Climate
  
  
• Computer Aided Architecture Design