Identification of nonlinear structural elements by force-state mapping

A major contributor to the passive damping and potentially nonlinear behavior of large space structures is the behavior of the joints. Proposed is an experimental technique called 'force-state mapping' that will allow ground testing of these key structural elements. The technique includes the use of very accurate instrumentation to measure the force transmission properties of a structural element as a function of its mechanical state. When these data are presented in the form of a force-state map, the nonlinearities exhibit distinctively recognizable patterns. This presentation of the data allows the extraction of the describing parameters of the linear and nonlinear behavior and the energy dissipation characteristics of the joint. A series of tests were carried out on an idealized laboratory test article to demonstrate the technique. Strong structural nonlinearities, including a cubic hardening spring, friction, and impact phenomena, were introduced and measured. Parameters identified by the force-state mapping technique are compared with those made by traditional techniques and the errors involved in the measurement are estimated.