Mitigating unwanted vibrations is essential in the design of structural and mechanical systems to ensure safety, reliability, and long-term performance. This dissertation advances the Acoustic Black Hole (ABH) concept, passive vibration control strategy, by replacing geometric tapering with controlled material properties. Using Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, elastic modulus variation in polymer concrete (PC) enabled wave velocity reduction without compromising fatigue resistance. The high strength, excellent damping, and rheological properties of PC makes it ideal for 3D-printed ABH structures. This work examined bond performance between normal concrete properties, developed PC mixes with tailored rheological and mechanical properties, and evaluated their 3D-printability. A full-scale, multi-material ABH-PC structure was developed and tested, showing significant wave velocity reduction and enhanced attenuation. The study establishes a scalable pathway for integrating load-bearing, 3D-printed PC into advanced vibration-sensitive systems, demonstrating the potential for material-driven ABH design to improve long-term performance and reliability in construction and engineering applications.
Siham Al Shanti (Tue,) studied this question.