On the Response of Linear Systems to Time-Dependent, Multidimensional Loadings

Abstract

The concept of frequency response, which has long been used by communication engineers to predict the response of a linear system to a periodic, nonperiodic, or random input, is extended to the general case of a linear mechanical system subjected to a time-dependent, multidimensional loading. Various possible methods for determining the transfer function of a given system are examined. One method is given special attention; it is based on the cross correlation in space and time of the response of the given system to a multidimensional random load field with the response of another system to the same field.