Effects of non-linearity due to large deflections in the resonance testing of structures

Abstract The steady-state response of a single-degree-of-freedom system with a “cubic stiffness” term in the differential equation of motion is examined, this effect in the response of structures being caused by large deflections. The effect of this type of non-linearity in the vector diagram and peak amplitude methods of analysis is examined; the maximum frequency spacing criterion for the identification of natural frequencies used in the vector method is studied in detail. The results are compared with experimental data from a structure.