Linearization of rigid body dynamics on frictional interfaces under harmonic loading

The non-linear dynamic response of the rigid block is linearized by means of a friction model that implicitly considers block response through an experimental parameter obtained from shaking table experiments. In view of the great difficulty in carrying out shaking table experiments, in this technical note some recommendations to estimate friction model parameters are given. The selection of parameters considers the sliding response mode of the block–plane-excitation system: stick–slip or continuous sliding. Once all the friction parameters and block response mode were estimated, a methodology was proposed to compute rigid block dynamic response. The numerical results were then compared to actual experimental data for a rigid block sliding on a geotextile–wood interface, along an inclined plane subjected to base harmonic acceleration. Experiments were carried out for both the stick–slip and the continuous sliding modes. Computed and measured responses for both cases showed good agreement, thus indicating that the methodology developed in this research is adequate to capture the physics (of non-linear nature) of rigid blocks sliding on frictional interfaces subjected to complex harmonic loading. The findings encourage the extension of the linearization technique to the more general seismic loading case.

► A variable friction model was developed to use in the sliding rigid block problem.
► Dynamic friction parameters are a function of excitation and static friction angle.
► Friction model predicts block response mode: stick–slip or continuous sliding.
► An equation was proposed to compute rigid block response time series.
► Computed rigid block displacements matched well shaking table experimental values.