Vibration-induced friction modulation: theory and applications by Dr. Alessandro Cabboi, Nov. 20, 2025

Vibration-induced friction modulation: theory and applications

Dr. Alessandro Cabboi

TU Delft, Delft, Netherlands

November 20, 2025

Abstract:

In the last 6 years, TU Delft investigated the use of a slip-joint to connect offshore structures, such as wind turbine towers to their corresponding support structure. The slip joint, also sporadically used for telecommunication towers, is a direct steel-to-steel connection obtained by overlapping two identical conical sections over each other. The connection solely depends on the geometry and contact mechanism between the two steel surfaces, and the load transfer depends on the frictional stress between the surfaces in contact. Hence, the key challenge for such connection is to guarantee a proper fit and sound contact. To either enforce the fit and the sound contact or to loosen it, a vibration-assisted technique was explored at TU Delft. The goal of this technique is to take advantage of the interaction between friction and an imposed high-frequency vibratory load, to control and facilitate the initiation of sliding between the surfaces in contact. At first, experimental evidence of the developed methodology will be shown, using a 1:10 scaled model of the slip-joint. Subsequently, unique results are showcased, obtained by applying the vibration-assisted technique to decommission a real slip joint assembled offshore, in the North Sea. To explain the observed experimental data and the success of the applied technique, a slow-fast process is assumed, through a selection of simplified models (e.g. mass-spring systems, mass-rod systems). The slow process refers to the steady sliding state, while the fast process intends to encapsulate the vibratory load and includes its averaged effect on the slow process. Specifically, the slow-fast analysis enables the investigation of the interaction between the imposed high-frequency vibratory load and the friction force, which can facilitate the sliding process by means of an averaged reduction of the friction force. The simplified models and the assumed slow-fast process is solved through the method of direct separation of motion and a comparative analogy is shown with the harmonic balance method.

Biography:

After a PhD on vibration-based health monitoring (University of Cagliari, Italy), and several post-doctoral positions on nonlinear dynamics at the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Sheffield and TU Delft, in 2020, I took up the role of Assistant Professor at the section of Mechanics and Physics of Structures, in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at TU Delft. Currently, I am also serving as Subject Editor for the Journal of Sound and Vibration. My main research interest and expertise include:

• Experimental dynamics (laboratory and field tests);
• Contact mechanics, tribology and characterization of contact/friction laws;
• Friction-vibration interaction and nonlinear dynamics;
• Dynamic inverse problems, system identification and model updating.