Analytical stick–slip and contact-loss transitions of a one-dimensional dry friction damper with gap
Nonlinear Dynamics, vol.114, no.11, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 114 Issue: 11
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s11071-026-12656-9
- Journal Name: Nonlinear Dynamics
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Applied Science & Technology Source, Compendex, INSPEC, zbMATH, Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Keywords: Analytical transition angles, Dry friction damper with gap, Friction damping, Nonlinear vibration, Stick–slip and contact-loss transitions, Vibration mitigation
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Dry friction dampers are employed in many engineering applications to reduce vibrations and increase the fatigue life of mechanical parts. In supercritical helicopter tail drive shafts, dry friction dampers with gaps are used to minimize maintenance downtime by activating only when shaft vibrations exceed a predefined threshold. The presence of a gap mitigates wear and prolongs the damper’s lifespan, but introduces strong nonlinearities associated with contact and stick–slip behavior. However, many existing dry friction models either neglect this gap or simplify its effects by omitting contact engagement, stick–slip transitions, and contact loss. Therefore, in this paper, an analytical one-dimensional dry friction contact model incorporating a gap is proposed, and explicit analytical transition criteria for contact engagement, stick–slip and contact loss phenomena are obtained. For simple harmonic motion, closed-form transition angles and Fourier coefficients of the friction force are derived, enabling frequency-domain analysis using the Harmonic Balance Method and the analytical characterization of nonlinear stiffness and damping properties of the friction damper. Utilizing these transition criteria, hysteresis curves representing the equivalent stiffness and damping characteristics of the friction contact are constructed and the effect of key parameters of the friction contact are systematically investigated. As a case study, a helicopter tail drive shaft equipped with a dry friction damper with a gap is analyzed. The results demonstrate the influence of friction damper parameters on the vibration amplitude reduction of the tail drive shaft and provide design-relevant insights for optimizing damper performance in helicopter applications.