Dynamic analysis of large structures by modal synthesis techniques.

Several criteria that may be used to evaluate the merits of some of the existing techniques for the dynamic analysis of large structures which involve division into substructures or components are examined. These techniques make use of component displacement modes to synthetize global systems of generalized coordinates and, for that reason, they have come to be known as modal synthesis or component mode methods. Two techniques have been found to be particularly useful - i.e., the modal synthesis method with fixed attachment modes, and the modal synthesis method with free attachment modes. These two methods are treated in detail, and general flow charts are presented for guidance in computer programming.