Comparison of Two Model Coupling Methods for Joint Identication

An experimental identification of joint dynamic properties requires accurate models of the joined bodies and an appropriate model coupling method. The bodies to be coupled can be described by their mass, stiffness and damping matrices (M, K, C) or by receptance matrices. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. The receptance matrix method requires a high number of measurements. However the measured data can be used directly and no model identification is needed. The experimental identification of the M, K, C matrices feasible for creating precise coupled models is difficult. Therefore, an approach based on a verified FE model can be employed. The two methods of model identification and coupling are discussed using a case study of two bolted beams. Several ways of the receptance matrices measurement simplification and their influence on the accuracy of the results are studied. The effect of noise, measured FRF peak accuracy and data filtering on the resulting coupled receptance matrix is studied as well. The results obtained by the receptance matrix method are compared to the results obtained by the method of coupling the verified FE models. It has been found that the method based on coupling the verified M, K, C matrices proves to be a more reliable approach, which will allow a more precise joint dynamic model identification in the next step.