Rayleigh damping

Rayleigh damping is a way engineers model how materials and structures lose energy when they vibrate or shake. It combines two factors: one related to how the structure resists acceleration (mass) and another related to how it resists deformation (stiffness). By adjusting these factors, engineers can predict how different parts of a structure will dampen vibrations over time, improving safety and performance. This approach simplifies complex damping behavior into manageable calculations, helping design structures that respond predictably to forces like earthquakes or wind.