Abstract
The frequency response functions and loss factors, $\eta$, of structurally hollowed, rectangular, metal cantilever beams have been measured in bending vibrations within low strain amplitudes. The beams were heat treated or fined with aluminum to vary the material conditions. The measured frequency response functions at the end of the cantilevered beam were processed to calculate the structural damping ratios. The results showed that the modal frequencies and damping ratios of heat treated beam are increased due to the increase of beam rigidity with the predictions of the classical beam theory. When the beams are fined with aluminum, however, the frequencies are decreased due to the increase of mass, while the damping ratios are increased. As the agreement between measurement and classical theory is good, the performance of a beam with heat treated or fined with dissimilar material can be duplicated, for industrial and most practical purposes, by the theory developed for an internally damped homogeneous beam.
