Time-domain two-substructure transfer path analysis of transient dynamic response in mechanical systems with weak nonlinear couplings

A new time domain transfer path analysis is formulated to deal with a class of weakly nonlinear, transient structural dynamics problems. It combines the versatility of the frequency domain transfer path analysis for tracking vibration transmission between substructures and the generality of the time domain analysis for treating nonlinear transient dynamic response. The proposed theory is applied to a lumped parameter mass-spring-damper dynamic system, and the results are shown to compare quite well to the calculations from a classical direct numerical integration routine. Factors contributing to the accuracy of the proposed time domain transfer path analysis are also examined. Parametric analyses varying damping, the degree of nonlinearity and excitation amplitude yield the salient features and as well as the limitations of the proposed approach.