Nonlinear Identification through eXtended Outputs (NIXO) with numerical and experimental validation using geometrically nonlinear structures

This work presents a novel technique for nonlinear system identification that operates in the frequency domain and fits a model to measured spectra to estimate the parameters in a modal domain nonlinear equation of motion (EOM). Nonlinear terms are added to the linear EOM in the form of polynomials, and the proposed algorithm estimates the polynomial coefficients as well as the underlying linear Frequency Response Function (FRF). This method is an extension to a popular nonlinear system identification algorithm called NIFO, from Nonlinear Identification through Feedback of the Outputs. However, NIFO identifies the nonlinear parameters as complex numbers that may be different at each frequency line, even though the mechanical system is expected to be governed by an EOM in which the nonlinear parameters are real and constant with frequency. This might be problematic, because any variation in the identified nonlinear parameters will distort the linear FRFs estimated by NIFO, and those linear FRFs are important to tell the user whether all of the significant nonlinearity has been extracted from the system. The proposed algorithm, here dubbed Nonlinear Identification through eXtended Outputs (NIXO), estimates the nonlinear parameters as frequency-independent and real. Additionally, it is demonstrated that for the systems studied here that the algorithm works when random and swept-sine inputs are used to excite the tested structure, while NIFO only worked well when random inputs were used. The method is first evaluated numerically using benchmark case studies, starting with the SDOF equation and then reduced models of a clamped-clamped flat beam, and the results are compared to those obtained with NIFO. Then the algorithm is applied to swept-sine measurements from a 3D-printed flat beam and the results are validated by computing the primary nonlinear normal mode of the identified model and comparing it with measurements.

Automated summary

This work presents a novel technique for nonlinear system identification in the frequency domain. The algorithm fits a model to measured spectra, estimating both polynomial coefficients and the underlying linear Frequency Response Function (FRF). The proposed algorithm, NIXO, estimates the nonlinear parameters as real and frequency-independent, addressing the limitations of the existing NIFO algorithm.