Load and Response Identification for a Nonlinear Flexible Structure Subject to Harmonic Loads

Abstract

Experimental monitoring of dynamic response is generally limited to few locations in the system. However, the analysis of structural performance and design of control systems would benefit from a complete knowledge of the system dynamic during service. A numerical approach is developed to numerically reconstruct the load and response of a complete structure from few reference points, based on a modal approach for projecting the response at few points on the domain of the structure. This methodology is particularly advantageous when full-field monitoring of a structure is not a possible solution. An assembly of two beams joined by a nonlinear torsional spring is analyzed in case of different load distributions acting on its span. The approach is shown to be robust and reliable.