Component Mode Synthesis Using Undeformed Interface Coupling Modes to Connect Soft and Stiff Substructures

Abstract

Classical component mode synthesis methods for reduction are usually limited by the size and compatibility of the coupling interfaces. A component mode synthesis approach with constrained coupling interfaces is presented for vibro-acoustic modelling. The coupling interfaces are constrained to six displacement degrees of freedom. These degrees of freedom represent rigid interface translations and rotations respectively, retaining an undeformed interface shape. This formulation is proposed for structures with coupling between softer and stiffer substructures in which the displacement is chiefly governed by the stiffer substructure. Such may be the case for the rubber-bushing/linking arm assembly in a vehicle suspension system. The presented approach has the potential to significantly reduce the modelling size of such structures, compared with classical component mode synthesis which would be limited by the modelling size of the interfaces. The approach also eliminates problems of nonconforming meshes in the interfaces since only translation directions, rotation axes and the rotation point need to be common for the coupled substructures. Simulation results show that the approach can be used for modelling of systems that resemble a vehicle suspension. It is shown for a test case that adequate engineering accuracy can be achieved when the stiffness properties of the connecting parts are within the expected range of rubber connected to steel.