Methods that combine finite group theory with component mode synthesis in the analysis of repetitive structures

Abstract The static and dynamic calculations of symmetric mechanical structures are considered. This type of configuration is frequently found in rotary machines, turbomachines, parabolic antennas, spatial structures, etc. The objective of this study is to present two methods and a calculation code which takes this repetitivity into account in order to minimize the time and cost of predictive calculations. Both proposed methods are applicable to bidimensional and tridimensional problems with arbitrary loadings. They are based on the theory of linear representations of finite groups and a technique of component mode synthesis.