Experimental results of nonlinear structure coupled through nonlinear connecting elements

In many complex engineering systems, significant nonlinear effects can be ascribed to the connections between coupled subsystems. For this reason, when analyzing the dynamics of the coupled assembly it is possible to assume that the subsystems behave linearly and that the nonlinear effects are only due to the connections. In order to analyze this possible scenario, an experimental setup is developed. It is composed of two linear beams coupled through two nonlinear connecting elements. Measurements are performed on each component of the assembly to build the corresponding linear and nonlinear numerical models. Experimental tests are also performed on the coupled system to obtain its nonlinear normal modes and compare them to the numerical results obtained from a nonlinear substructuring procedure in the modal domain.