Identification of nonlinear bolted lap-joint parameters by force-state mapping

Joints and fasteners often have a significant effect on the dynamical behaviour of assembled mechanical structures and the analytical prediction of structural responses therefore depends upon the accuracy of joint modelling. Detailed constitutive models that fully describe the behaviour of frictional interfaces are often unduly complicated; in which case simpler phenomenological models having parameters identified from vibration tests may be preferable. Unfortunately the direct measurement of forces transmitted between two contacting surfaces and their relative displacements are not possible in practice and it is therefore necessary to rely on measurements remote from joints. In this paper, the parameters of an assumed nonlinear joint model are identified by force-state mapping from time-domain acceleration records in response to single-frequency excitation close to the first natural frequency. The problem of lack of accessibility for measurement at the joint is overcome by casting the governing equation of the system in modal coordinates so that modal parameters are identified to represent the nonlinear behaviour of the joint. A particular result from the experimental programme is the identification of viscous damping coefficients dependent upon displacement amplitude. The significance of this result is that the complex phenomenon of energy dissipation in lap joints can be represented by a simple analytical model capable of producing accurate results.