Nonlinear dynamics by mode superposition

A mode superposition technique for approximately solving nonlinear initial-boundary-value problems of structural dynamics is discussed, and results for examples involving large deformation are compared to those obtained with implicit direct integration methods such as the Newmark generalized acceleration and Houbolt backward-difference operators. The initial natural frequencies and mode shapes are found by inverse power iteration with the trial vectors for successively higher modes being swept by Gram—Schmidt orthonormalization at each iteration. The subsequent modal spectrum for nonlinear states is based upon the tangent stiffness of the structure and is calculated by a subspace iteration procedure that involves matrix multiplication only, using the most recently computed spectrum as an initial estimate. Then, a precise time integration algorithm that has no artificial damping or phase velocity error for linear problems is applied to the uncoupled modal equations of motion. Squared-frequency extrapolation is examined for nonlinear problems as a means by which these qualities of accuracy and precision can be maintained when the state of the system (and, thus, the modal spectrum) is changing rapidly.The results indicate that a number of important advantages accrue to nonlinear mode superposition: (a) there is no significant difference in total solution time between mode superposition and implicit direct integration analyses for problems having narrow matrix half-bandwidth (in fact, as bandwidth increases, mode superposition becomes more economical), (b) solution accuracy is under better control since the analyst has ready access to modal participation factors and the ratios of time step size to modal period, and (c) physical understanding of nonlinear dynamic response is improved since the analyst is able to observe the changes in the modal spectrum as deformation proceeds.