Numerical round robin for prediction of dissipation in lap joints

Abstract

Joints, interfaces, and frictional contact between two substructures can be modelled as discrete nonlinearities that connect the substructures. Over the past decade, a number of phenomenologically different approaches to modelling and simulating the dynamics of a jointed structure have been proposed. This research focuses on assessing multiple modelling techniques to predict the nonlinear dynamic behaviour of a bolted lab joint, including frequency based sub-structuring methods, harmonic balance methods, discontinuous basis function methods, and high fidelity FEA approaches. The regimes in which each method is best suited are identified, and recommendations are made for how to select a modelling method and for advancing numerical modelling of discrete nonlinearities.