An investigation of power flow in the mid-frequency range for systems of co-linear beams based on a hybrid finite element formulation

A hybrid finite element analysis (hybrid FEA) is employed for investigating power flow characteristics for systems of co-linear beams in the mid-frequ ency range. The importance of capturing power re-injection and power re-rad iation effects in the solution is demonstrated. The dependency of the power flow characteristics of a system in the mid-frequency range on the rigidit y, mass, and damping properties of its components is determined. Both the h ybrid FEA and analytical solutions are employed for analyses in order to es tablish the viability of the hybrid FEA as a simulation technology in the m id-frequency range. Results from a high-frequency method are compared to hy brid FEA solutions in order to demonstrate the importance of capturing the resonant effects in mid-frequency computations. (C) 2001 Academic Press.