On the experimental coupling with continuous interfaces using frequency based substructuring

In experimental dynamic substructuring, coupling of substructures sharing a line- or surface-like interface proves to be a challenge due to the difficulties in interface modelling. Modelling a high number of degrees of freedom at the common interface can be too stringent when imposing compatibility and equilibrium conditions, thereby causing redundancy and ill-conditioning. To mitigate the effects of overdetermination and experimental errors, that can lead to a high error amplification, several techniques have been developed, proposing different reduction spaces to weaken the interface conditions. This work investigates reduction space definitions in dynamic substructuring for coupling continuous interfaces. In particular, a comparative investigation of three established techniques, namely the frequency-based modal constraints for fixture and subsystem, singular vector transformation, and virtual point transformation, is conducted within the frequency domain. The feasibility of all approaches is supported by an experimental case study, which can guide practitioners in selecting a suitable approach for their specific needs.