Measurement of friction contact parameters for nonlinear dynamic analysis

Abstract

Detailed linear finite element simulations and accurate modal testing techniques ensure a reliable validation of linear dynamic response predictions of engineering structures. The good agreement between simulation and measurement for single components is often diminished when an assembly is considered, since nonlinear effects of the joints influence the response behaviour. To re-establish the agreement between analysis and measurement the nonlinear behaviour must be included in the simulation. Analysis tools are available today to take these nonlinear effects into account which require accurate input parameters, to represent the nonlinear contact interface. Research at Imperial College London has focused on the reliable measurement of the dynamic friction contact parameters for over a decade. The extraction of the dynamic friction coefficient, μ, and the tangential contact stiffness, k t, requires the measurement of the nonlinear hysteresis loop with a minimum interference from the test rig. A newly developed friction, with a high test accuracy and a large test range will be presented and its behaviour compared to previous data. © The Society for Experimental Mechanics, Inc. 2012.