Real-time recovery of impact force based on finite element analysis

A compact and systematic scheme is proposed for the real-time recovery of f orce and location during impact events. Starting with the method of modal s uperposition for general dynamic systems, the equation of force recovery ca n be derived with an over-determining condition. The solution of a generali zed eigenvalue problem for the impacted linear elastic structure is obtaine d through finite element analysis. In addition, to filter off unexpected no isy signals in the process of data acquisition, the dynamic responses are a veraged in a least-squares sense at each time interval. The equation of for ce recovery is then solved by using the technique of singular Value decompo sition. Impact location, if unknown a priori, can also be identified with a slight modification of the current approach. Some numerical experiments of low-velocity impacts on composite laminates are carried out for validation of the proposed scheme. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .