Sensitivity analysis of vibrating systems

Abstract In this paper a method for the analysis of the sensitivity dynamical characteristics of mechanical linear systems to variations in the parameters is presented. The method presented has a general character and applies to conservative as well as non-conservative systems. In the method use is made of the Taylor formula for a matrix function of many variables, proved in reference [1]. Use of the result enables the sensitivity analysis to be carried out with parallel changes in all the parameters (M, C and K). The method is illustrated by a numerical example of a seven-degree-of-freedom system.