Design and test of an adjustable quasi-zero stiffness device and its use to suspend masses on a multi-modal structure

In some applications, such as ground vibration testing in the aerospace industry, it is of interest to observe the modal behaviour of a slender structure while it is statically loaded. One way of statically loading such a structure is to suspend masses using very soft springs. If the springs are linear, then this results in an extremely large static deflection of the springs. This problem could be overcome by dynamically isolating the masses...