Publications

Nonlinear Variability due to Mode Coupling in a Bolted Benchmark Structure

Wall, Mitchell P.J.; Allen, Matthew S.; Kuether, Robert J.

This paper presents a set of tests on a bolted benchmark structure called the S4 beam with a focus on evaluating coupling between the first two modes due to nonlinearity. Bolted joints are of interest in dynamically loaded structures because frictional slipping at the contact interface can introduce amplitude-dependent nonlinearities into the system, where the frequency of the structure decreases, and the damping increases. The challenge to model this phenomenon is even more difficult if the modes of the structure become coupled, violating a common assumption of mode orthogonality. This work presents a detailed set of measurements in which the nonlinearities of a bolted structure are highly coupled for the first two modes. Two nominally identical bolted structures are excited using an impact hammer test. The nonlinear damping curves for each beam are calculated using the Hilbert transform. Although the two structures have different frequency and damping characteristics, the mode coupling relationship between the first two modes of the structures is shown to be consistent and significant. The data is intended as a challenge problem for interested researchers; all data from these tests are available upon request.