Transient response analysis of structures made from viscoelastic materials

The response of structures made from viscoelastic materials to transient ex citations is studied using the finite element method. The viscoelastic mate rial behaviour is represented by the complex modulus model. An efficient me thod using fast Fourier transform has been developed. This method is based on the trigonometrical representation of the input signals and matrix of th e transfer functions. The present implementation gives the possibility to p reserve exactly the frequency dependence of the storage and loss moduli of materials. On this reason this time-domain representation is a mathematical ly correct way to avoid the non-causal effect. Test problems and numerical examples are given to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the app roach suggested in this paper. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.