This paper investigates vibration control of beam through electro-magnetic constrained layer damping （EMCLD） which consists of electromagnet layer, permanent magnet layer and viscoelastic damping layer. When the coil of the electromagnet is electrified with proper control strategy, the electromagnet can exert magnetic force opposite to the direction of structural deformation so that the structural vibration is attenuated. A mathematical model is developed based on the equivalent current method to calculate the electromagnetic control force produced by EMCLD. The governing equations of the system are obtained using Hamilton＇s Principle and then reduced with the assumed-mode method. A simulation on vibration control of a cantilever beam is conducted under the velocity proportional feedback to demonstrate the energy dissipation capability of EMCLD, and the beam system with the same parameter is experimented. The results of experiment and simulation are compared and the results show that the EMCLD is an effective means for suppressing modal vibration. The results also indicate that the beam system has better control performance for larger control current. The EMCLD method presented in this paper provides an applicable and efficient tool for the vibration control of structures.
