On the Characterization of Nonlinearities in Assembled Structures

Abstract

This work refines a recently formalized methodology proposed by D.J. Ewins consisting of ten steps for model validation of nonlinear structures. This work details, through a series of experimental studies, that many standard test setup assumptions that are made when performing dynamic testing are invalid and need to be evaluated for each structure. The invalidation of the standard assumptions is due to the presence of nonlinearities, both known and unrecognized in the system. Complicating measurements, many nonlinearities are currently characterized as constant properties instead of variables that exhibit dependency on system hysteresis and actuation amplitude. This study reviews current methods for characterizing nonlinearities and outlines gaps in the approaches. A brief update to the CONCERTO method, based on the accelerance of a system, is derived for characterizing a system’s nonlinearities. Finally, this study ends with an updated methodology for model validation and the ramifications for modeling assemblies with nonlinearities are discussed.