A powerful variable magnetic eddy current damping system has been constructed and utilized in an experimental study of vortex-induced vibrations (VIV). This damping system allows us to impose precise values of nearly ideal viscous damping over a wide range of damping values of interest. This new damping system offers improvements over previously utilized damping methods. Unlike most studies of VIV, where the damping cannot be independently controlled, we are able to impose our system damping independent of the other system parameters. Also, because the system only requires that a thin conductive plate be attached to the oscillating system, the overall mass of the system does not increase dramatically and still allows the investigation of very low mass systems. Finally, the system can operate in a steady-state fashion, supplying a constant damping value for an extended period of time, or in a transient fashion, where the damping value is intentionally varied over time. With this damping system, we have systematically explored both steady and transient damping effects on VIV behavior and provide a brief overview of some sample results.
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