Damping in Space Structure with the MERO Jointing System with Respect to the Degree of Tightness of Bolts

One of the most common connecting systems that is used for the manufacture of space structure, is MERO connecting system. So a perfect knowledge of the behavior of this connection is the most essential problem for the engineers and designers. The results has shown that different parameters including the degree of tightness of the bolts affect on the static and dynamic characteristics on these kinds of jointings. Distinctly in this research the effect of the bolts tightness degree and the magnitude of the vibration on the dynamic characteristics of the MERO connecting system has been experimentally evaluated. Therefore a member made by this system in the form of a cantilever beam at different degree of bolt tightness and by the free vibration method and by making initial displacement was experimented in order to determine the quantity of dynamic system parameters including the damping ratio, damping coefficient and the natural frequency. The results obtained showed that, the magnitude of bolt tightness is directly proportional to the structure vibration. Also the maximum damping ratio and damping coefficient occurs at 60 Nm bolt tightness, and if the tightness degree is more or less than this quantity, the magnitude of damping ratio and damping coefficient would be less than that. Also the results showed that there is a direct relation between the initial displacement with the damping, it means that by increasing the vibration amplitude the damping will increase and vice versa.