A real decoupled method and free interface component mode synthesis methods for generally damped systems

This paper reports on the development of a new transformation method. In contrast to most existing mode transformation methods in which the first-order state-space equation of the damped vibration system is transformed into a decoupled form with complex coefficient matrices, using the decoupled method presented in this paper, the equation of the damped system can be decomposed into a decoupled equation with real coefficient matrices. Two new free interface component mode synthesis methods are also presented. The equivalent full-mode matrix of the damped structure is used to capture the effects of the higher-order modes. Additionally, this work modifies the compatibility conditions at the junctions that are employed in most of the previous component mode synthesis methods for generally damped systems. The first component mode synthesis method is performed in complex space, whereas the second method can be applied in real space. Because the coefficient matrices of the coupled equation constructed by the second component mode synthesis method are all real-valued, the solution of the eigenproblem for this coupled equation can be performed in real space as well. Additionally, numerical examples demonstrate the accuracy and validity of these two component mode synthesis methods. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.