Use of Generalized Interface Degrees of Freedom in Component Mode Synthesis

Substructuring, Component Mode Synthesis, super-element, and related methods are used in numerous applications. The principle of these methods is to represent the model of a system by coupled component models. In most cases, prior knowledge of the predictions of interest is used to reduce component models. Continuous interfaces between plate or solid components traditionally imply the use of large component models (with more degrees of freedom than there are in the interfaces). This strongly limits the interest of using reduced models. An automated, and yet computationally robust and efficient, treatment of component coupling conditions is introduced. This approach allows significant extensions to traditional component model reduction but does not eliminate the risk of poor predictions linked to locking of incompatible component models. The example of a stiffened panel is used to demonstrate the practicality of the proposed framework. In particular, methods for the reduction of plate interface models and for the treatment of locking are addressed.