Spectral analysis of a high-order Hermitian algorithm for structural dynamics

The spectral analysis of an efficient step-by-step direct integration algorithm for the structural dynamic equation is presented. The proposed algorithm is formulated in terms of two Hermitian finite difference operators of fifth-order local truncation error and it is unconditionally stable with no numerical damping presenting a fourth-order truncation error for period dispersion (global error). In addition, although it is in competition with higher-order algorithms presented in the literature, the computational effort is similar to that of the classical second-order Newmark’s method. The numerical application for nonlinear structural dynamic problems is also considered.