Identifying and computing nonlinear normal modes

Non linear normal modes offer a rigorous framework, both mathematical and physical, for theoretical and experimental dynamical analysis. Albeit still in its infancy, the concept of non linear normal modes has the potential of providing to both the academic and the industrial establishment a powerful tool for the analysis of non linear dynamical systems. However, in order to exploit the full potential of this theory (and its associated simulation capability), there is need to integrate it with other branches of non linear structural dynamics: namely, in order for the non linear normal modes of a real—physical—structure to be computed, there is need to identify and quantify its non linearity. In this paper, an identification method based on the measured Frequency Response Function (FRF) is employed to identify and quantify the system’s non linearity before computing the system’s non linear normal modes.