Hysteresis modeling of clamp band joint with macro-slip

• An analytical model for hysteresis of clamp band joint is developed.
• Hysteresis model is validated by FE analysis and quasi-static experiment.
• Hysteresis model is applied to dynamic model of jointed structure.
• Friction damping leads to faster decay of impact response.
• Friction damping affects amplitudes and number of harmonics in periodic response.

Clamp band joints are commonly used to connect spacecrafts with launch vehicles. Due to the frictional slippage between the joint components, hysteresis behavior might occur at joint interfaces under cyclic loading. The joint hysteresis will bring friction damping into the launching systems. In this paper, a closed-form hysteresis model for the clamp band joint is developed based on theoretical and numerical analyses of the interactions of the joint components. Then, the hysteresis model is applied to investigating the dynamic response of a payload fastened by the clamp band joint, where the nonlinearity and friction damping effects of the joint is evaluated. The proposed analytical model, which is validated by both finite element analyses and quasi-static experiments, has a simple form with sound accuracy and can be incorporated into the dynamic models of launching systems conveniently.