Random matrix eigenvalue problems in structural dynamics

Natural frequencies and mode shapes play a fundamental role in the dynamic characteristics of linear structural systems. Considering that the system parameters are known only probabilistically, we obtain the moments and the probability density functions of the eigenvalues of discrete linear stochastic dynamic systems. Current methods to deal with such problems are dominated by mean‐centred perturbation‐based methods. Here two new approaches are proposed. The first approach is based on a perturbation expansion of the eigenvalues about an optimal point which is ‘best’ in some sense. The second approach is based on an asymptotic approximation of multidimensional integrals. A closed‐form expression is derived for a general rth‐order moment of the eigenvalues. Two approaches are presented to obtain the probability density functions of the eigenvalues. The first is based on the maximum entropy method and the second is based on a chi‐square distribution. Both approaches result in simple closed‐form expressions which can be easily calculated. The proposed methods are applied to two problems and the analytical results are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. It is expected that the ‘small randomness’ assumption usually employed in mean‐centred‐perturbation‐based methods can be relaxed considerably using these methods. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

声场-结构耦合系统灵敏度分析及优化设计研究

给出了低频声－结构耦合系统的有限元方程，并在此基础上提出声一结构耦合系统的包含尺寸和形状设计变量的优化设计模型，建立基于灵敏度分析求解的优化设计方法，重点推导了耦合系统的特征频率和声压级响应关于设计变量的灵敏度方程。在JIFEX软件中实现上述理论和算法，并通过灵敏度比较和优化设计的数值算例，进一步说明该研究方法对声结构耦合系统的工程设计具有实用意义。     

New variable-step algorithms for computing eigenvalues of the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation

Two variable-step algorithms have been developed for computing eigenvalues of the radial Schrödinger equation. The eigenvalues are computed directly as roots of a function known in transmission line theory as the impedance. The novel numerical algorithms are based also on the piecewise perturbation analysis. The first new variable-step method is based on two methods, one with zeroth order solution and the other with first order perturbative corrections. The second variable-step method called “block method” is based on three methods, one with zeroth order solution, another with first order perturbative corrections and another with second order perturbative corrections. The eigenvalue problems are very common in many engineering problems contexts involving vibrations, elasticity and other oscillating systems.     

Solution of eigenvalue problems by sturm sequence method

A generalized eigenvalue algorithm is presented herein along with the complete listing of the associated computer program, which may be conveniently utilized for the efficient solution of certain broad classes of eigenvalue problems. Extensive applications of the procedure are envisaged in the analysis of many important engineering problems, such as stability and natural frequency analysis of practical discrete structural systems, idealized by the finite element technique. The procedure based on the Sturm sequence method is accurate and fast, possessing several significant advantages over other known methods of such analysis. Numerical results are also presented for two representative structural engineering problems.     

An Iterative Scheme of Arbitrary Odd Order and Its Basins of Attraction for Nonlinear Systems

In this paper, we propose a fifth-order scheme for solving systems of nonlinear equations. The convergence analysis of the proposed technique is discussed. The proposed method is generalized and extended to be of any odd order of the form 2n − 1. The scheme is composed of three steps, of which the first two steps are based on the two-step Homeier’s method with cubic convergence, and the last is a Newton step with an appropriate approximation for the derivative. Every iteration of the presented method requires the evaluation of two functions, two Fréchet derivatives, and three matrix inversions. A comparison between the efficiency index and the computational efficiency index of the presented scheme with existing methods is performed. The basins of attraction of the proposed scheme illustrated and compared to other schemes of the same order. Different test problems including large systems of equations are considered to compare the performance of the proposed method according to other methods of the same order. As an application, we apply the new scheme to some real-life problems, including the mixed Hammerstein integral equation and Burgers’ equation. Comparisons and examples show that the presented method is efficient and comparable to the existing techniques of the same order.     

Free vibration of composite circular cylindrical shells with random material properties. Part I: General theory

Composites exhibit inherent random dispersions in material properties. Ignoring this variation during modelling may lead to inaccuracies in structural analysis and would result in erroneous design. Part I presents a general approach for free vibration analysis of composite circular cylindrical shells with the material properties having a random scatter when the random part is small compared with the mean value — a condition commonly met by most engineering materials. An outline has been described for development of the characteristic equation for the random eigen values. First order perturbation has been adopted to split up the characteristic equation and expressions for the mean and the variance of the natural frequencies and mode shapes have been obtained for the shell. Part II presents applications of this scheme to some specific problems.     

A comparative study of methodologies for vibro-acoustic FE model updating of cavities using simulated data

The structural dynamic modeling errors, which at times are difficult to eliminate in a structural FE model, can affect the accuracy and reliability of the vibro-acoustic FE models for NVH design of the cavities. A large number of methods have been proposed for structural finite element model updating. However, most of the studies conducted are mainly focused on structural dynamic applications and no work is reported on vibro-acoustic systems. The objective of this paper is to compare through a simulated study two recently proposed methodologies for vibro-acoustic FE model updating of cavities with weak acoustic coupling to address structural dynamic modeling errors. These methodologies utilize a direct and an iterative method of model updating developed for purely structural systems. A simulated example of a 2D rectangular cavity with a flexible surface is presented. Cases of incomplete and noisy data are considered. The comparison is done on the basis of accuracy of prediction of vibro-acoustic natural frequencies and the responses both inside and outside the frequency range of interest. It is concluded that both the methodologies give an accurate prediction of the vibro-acoustic natural frequencies and the response inside the updating frequency range. However, beyond this range, the predictions based on the direct updated vibro-acoustic models are not accurate. It is noted that the success of updating using IESM is dependent on the correct knowledge of the modeling inaccuracies, uncertainties or approximations and also on the choice of the suitable updating parameters, which could be very challenging for complex cavities. The vibro-acoustic FE model updating using the direct method could be handy in such situations where the iterative methods are difficult to be effectively applied.     

Review and assessment of interpolatory model order reduction methods for frequency response structural dynamics and acoustics problems

Frequency sweeps in structural dynamics, acoustics, and vibro‐acoustics require evaluating frequency response functions for a large number of frequencies. The brute force approach for performing these sweeps leads to the solution of a large number of large‐scale systems of equations. Several methods have been developed for alleviating this computational burden by approximating the frequency response functions. Among these, interpolatory model order reduction methods are perhaps the most successful. This paper reviews this family of approximation methods with particular attention to their applicability to specific classes of frequency response problems and their performance. It also includes novel aspects pertaining to the iterative solution of large‐scale systems of equations in the context of model order reduction and frequency sweeps. All reviewed computational methods are illustrated with realistic, large‐scale structural dynamic, acoustic, and vibro‐acoustic analyses in wide frequency bands. These highlight both the potential of these methods for reducing CPU time and their limitations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Free vibrations of a multi-span Timoshenko beam carrying multiple spring-mass systems

Structural elements supporting motors or engines are frequently seen in technological applications. The operation of a machine may introduce additional dynamic stresses on the beam. It is important, then, to know the natural frequencies of the coupled beam-mass system, in order to obtain a proper design of the structural elements. The literature regarding the free vibration analysis of Bernoulli-Euler single-span beams carrying a number of spring-mass system and Bernoulli-Euler multi-span beams carrying multiple spring-mass systems are plenty, but on Timoshenko multi-span beams carrying multiple spring-mass systems is fewer. This paper aims at determining the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a Timoshenko multi-span beam. The model allows to analyse the influence of the shear effect and spring-mass systems on the dynamic behaviour of the beams by using Timoshenko Beam Theory (TBT). The effects of attached spring-mass systems on the free vibration characteristics of the 1–4 span beams are studied. The natural frequencies of Timoshenko multi-span beam calculated by using secant method for non-trivial solution are compared with the natural frequencies of multi-span beam calculated by using Bernoulli-Euler Beam Theory (EBT) in literature; the mode shapes are presented in graphs.     

圆柱壳几何大变形非线性频率求解的渐近摄动法

为解决圆柱壳在工作状态中由几何大变形而引起的弱非线性振动问题，将渐近摄动法引入求解考虑几何非线性的薄壁圆柱壳振动频率。首先，应用Donnell＇s简化壳理论获得了考虑几何大变形情况下具有位移三次项的非线性频率方程，把位移及频率以非线性参数的幂级数形式展开，并令同次幂的非线性项系数相等，由此得到非线性频率一次近似值与初始振幅的一系列耦合代数方程，引入Galerkin＇s方法对非线性频率方程进行解耦正交并忽略其中的永年项，考虑了对应实数根，各阶频率对应的振幅间不存在相互耦合的内共振现象，最终在引入小参数后用摄动法求出了非线性频率的一次近似解。计算结果表明，几何非线性使薄壁圆柱壳产生硬化，其非线性频率升高，并同时讨论了线性、非线性频率与节径数及初始位移之间的关系。     

Closed form solutions of R-stress and stress singularity coefficient in rigid line problems

In this work, a new and efficient definition for a reliability index is explored for real structural engineering problems. The main innovative aspect is that it is based on a possibilistic criteria instead of a probabilistic one. Its definition deals with engineering cases where uncertain parameters of basic structural reliability problems can be operatively treated as fuzzy variables. A fuzzy-based version of classic Cornell proposed reliability index is discussed. Consequently, differences and advantages with respect to other non-probabilistic reliability measures reported in literature are critically analyzed with reference to well-specified criterions. Finally, two numerical examples are illustrated. The first, in the framework of the materials strength problem, is a simple comparison between these fuzzy reliability indicators, and is developed to clarify the applicability of our proposal. Subsequently, another more realistic numerical example is proposed; it is developed to appreciate its effectiveness in reliability assessment of complex structural systems.     

Inverse damage prediction in structures using nonlinear dynamic perturbation theory

A non-linear perturbation theory which furnishes an exact relationship between the perturbation of structural parameters and the perturbation of modal parameters is presented. A system of governing equations is derived, where the information about incomplete modal data can be directly adopted. The Direct Iteration and the Gauss–Newton Least Squares techniques for an inverse prediction of structural damage are discussed, where both the location and the extent of structural damage can be correctly determined using only a limited amount of incomplete modal measurements data. Structural damage is assumed to be associated with a proportional reduction of the original element stiffness matrix or with a proportional reduction of the contribution of a Gauss point to the element stiffness matrix, which characterises a structure at an element level or at a Gauss point level. Finally, a damaged cantilever beam is considered using different model problems to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.     

基于摄动法的多条裂纹欧拉梁特征模态分析

基于摄动理论推导了带多条开口裂纹的欧拉梁的特征模态参数的理论计算公式。采用最直接的方式将梁开口裂纹模拟成梁微段内的横截面折减并用δ函数表达了带开口裂纹的梁沿轴线的截面惯矩和线质量等物理参数。基于此,建立了裂纹梁动力微分方程,并采用一阶摄动理论推导得到了梁的模态频率和振型计算公式。简支梁及悬臂梁算例研究表明,该方法具有很好的精度,与有限元模拟结果及实验结果都能很好地吻合。并采用此方法分析了裂纹深度和位置对带多条开口裂纹梁的特征模态参数的影响。结果表明,裂纹对各阶模态频率虽然影响有限,但其引起的各阶频率变化有着明显的模式,可用于结构损伤定位;裂纹对模态振型影响不明显,但对模态曲率影响比较大,可用于结构损伤位置和程度的诊断。     

基于VMD的建筑结构模态参数识别

在建筑结构的健康监测、控制和状态评估中经常遇到的一个关键性问题是如何根据实测响应信号准确估计结构阻尼比及自振频率等模态参数。基于变分模态分解(VMD)提出一种新的结构模态参数识别方法。该方法首先对实测振动信号进行VMD分解,获得单模态信号,然后采用自然环境激励技术(NEXT)得到单模态信号的自由衰减响应,最后利用直接插值法(DI)和曲线拟合获得结构的自振频率和阻尼比。通过三层框架结构的数值模拟验证了该方法的准确性及可靠性。利用该技术对台风“达维”作用下广州中信广场的实测加速度数据进行分析,并将估计的结构模态参数和其他识别方法的分析结果进行对比,进一步验证了该方法的准确性和有效性。     

Exact combinatorial reliability analysis of dynamic systems with sequence-dependent failures

Many real-life fault-tolerant systems are subjected to sequence-dependent failure behavior, in which the order in which the fault events occur is important to the system reliability. Such systems can be modeled by dynamic fault trees (DFT) with priority-AND (pAND) gates. Existing approaches for the reliability analysis of systems subjected to sequence-dependent failures are typically state-space-based, simulation-based or inclusion-exclusion-based methods. Those methods either suffer from the state-space explosion problem or require long computation time especially when results with high degree of accuracy are desired. In this paper, an analytical method based on sequential binary decision diagrams is proposed. The proposed approach can analyze the exact reliability of non-repairable dynamic systems subjected to the sequence-dependent failure behavior. Also, the proposed approach is combinatorial and is applicable for analyzing systems with any arbitrary component time-to-failure distributions. The application and advantages of the proposed approach are illustrated through analysis of several examples.     

Generalization of the continuous and discrete structural approaches to the solution of problems of the dynamics of laminated composite plates and structures with stratification. Part 2. Analytic decomposition of unknown functions. Results and comparisons

A three-dimensional solution of the problem of determination of the frequencies and modes of natural vibrations of multilayer plates is obtained on the basis of the method of analytic separation of variables. We compare the models with analytic separation of variables and polynomial approximation of unknown functions over the thickness of the structure. Within the framework of the continuous structural approach, the applied model enables one to determine the frequencies and modes of natural vibrations for a broad range of problems with sufficiently high accuracy. If it is necessary to improve the accuracy of results, then one can pass to the discrete structural version of the model. Ukrainian Transport University, Kiev, Ukraine. Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 6, pp. 93–99, November–December, 1999.     

A high order implicit algorithm for solving instationary non-linear problems

 In this paper a high order implicit algorithm is developed for solving instationary non-linear problems. This generic numerical method combines four mathematical techniques: a time discretization, a homotopy transformation, a perturbation technique and a space discretization. The time integration is performed by classical implicit schemes (Euler implicit for problems with a first order time derivative and Newmark for second order). The time-discretization leads to non-linear equations. In this paper a new technique is proposed to solve iteratively the latter equations. The key points in this approach are, first a high order solver based on perturbation techniques, second the possibility of choosing the iteration operator, which limits the number of matrices to be triangulated. To illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithm two examples are considered: the Korteweg-de Vries equation (KdV) and the non-linear oscillations of a 2D elastic pendulum. Received 10 February 2001 / Accepted 19 December 2001     

Data based model free hysteresis identification for a nonlinear structure

In the last two decades, the damage detection for civil engineering structures has been widely treated as a modal analysis problem and most of the currently available vibration-based system identification approaches are based on modal parameters, namely the natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios, and/or their derivations, which are suitable for linear systems. Nonlinearity is generic in engineering structures. For example, the initiation and development of cracks in civil engineering structures as typical structural damages are nonlinear process. One of the major challenges in damage detection, early warning and damage prognosis is to obtain reasonably accurate identification of nonlinear performance such as hysteresis which is the direct indicator of damage initiation and development under dynamic excitations. In this study, a general data-based identification approach for hysteretic performance in form of nonlinear restoring force using structural dynamic responses and complete and incomplete excitation measurement time series was proposed and validated with a 4-story frame structure equipped with smart devices of magneto-rheological (MR) damper to simulate nonlinear performance. Firstly, as an optimization method, the least-squares technique was employed to identify the system matrices of an equivalent linear system of the nonlinear structure model basing on the excitation force and the corresponding vibration measurements with impact test when complete and incomplete excitations; and secondly, the nonlinear restoring force of the structure was identified and compared with the test measurements finally. Results show that the proposed data-based approach is capable of identifying the nonlinear behavior of engineering structures and can be employed to evaluate the damage initiation and development of different structure under dynamic loads.     

利用组合参数的结构损伤识别及试验研究

利用状态向量直接求导的新方法，全面地分析了基于结构振动模态参数(频率、特征向量和动柔度)关于设计参数(质量、刚度和阻尼)的相对灵敏度。该方法比传统的方法计算简单方便，而且弥补了传统方法中参数考虑不全的缺点，这样更符合实际工程。对一框架结构进行了数值模拟分析，研究表明动柔度矩阵关于结构刚度灵敏度相对于其他模态参数为最高，振型次之，频率为最小，这对选取损伤特征参数时有重要参考价值。提出由结构前几阶固有频率变化率、频率变化比值以及动柔度置信因子构成的组合参数作为神经网络的输入向量的损伤识别方法，对于多种工况进行了框架结构模型的振动试验。试验结果表明：采用组合参数训练的神经网络，对结构损伤位置和程度识别较采用单一参数具有更好的识别效果。