Dynamic substructuring: A general framework to time-varying interfaces for parameter-varying systems

In the design, construction and operation of large structures it is critical to conceive methods to accurately model their dynamics. Herein, complex physical systems consisting of several substructures are often modelled by dynamic substructuring. In the case of time-varying interfaces the conditions for coupling become more extensive, simulation times become large and tracking system dynamics become a challenge.This paper postulates a procedure for time- and parameter-dependent dynamic substructuring where a set of general equations provide expressions for a configuration-dependent structure based in spatially discrete substructures and a predefined trajectory. The method provides a simple systematic procedure to obtain time- and parameter-dependent mass, damping, and stiffness matrices of the coupled structure. Furthermore, the model remains in a linear parameter-varying form which leads to simple extraction of dynamic properties as well as a simplification of the simulations of the coupled system.The procedure is demonstrated on a gantry beam where the influence of the varying trajectory of the moving load on the gantry beam is assessed.