Linear contact interface parameter identification using dynamic characteristic equation

•Linear contact interface parameter identification of joints is considered.•Identification approach is developed using dynamic characteristic equation.•Contact interface stiffness matrix decomposition is the core of the identification approach.•The method is successfully applicable to analytical and numerical problems.

The stiffness characteristics of the contact interfaces in joints or boundary conditions have a great effect on dynamic response of assembled structures. Predictive analytical/numerical modeling of mechanical structures is not possible without representing the contact interfaces accurately. Because of the complex mechanisms involved, contact interfaces introduce difficulties both in modeling the inherent dynamics and identification of the model parameters. In this paper an identification approach employing the dynamic characteristic equation is proposed for linear interface parameters. The proposed method is applicable to both analytical and numerical problems. The accuracy of the proposed method is investigated by simulation results of a beam with elastic boundary support and experimental results of a bolted lap-joint.