Experimental characterization, modeling and parametric identification of the non linear dynamic behavior of viscoelastic components

•A study of the dynamic behavior of viscoelastic components is performed.•Non linear Generalized Maxwell Model based on only 4 parameters is proposed to characterize the behavior.•Experiments using DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis) are performed.•Results encompassing different amplitudes of prescribed boundary conditions and preloads are presented.•An original parametric identification is carried out, and shows a good agreement between experiments and simulations.

The aim of this paper is to investigate non linear dynamic behavior of viscoelastic components. The dynamic characteristics of viscoelastic components depend on frequency, amplitude, preload, and temperature. A Non Linear Generalized Maxwell Model (NLGMM), with only 4 independent parameters, is proposed. The NLGMM is based on the separation between the linear viscoelasticity and the non linear stiffness. This assumption is validated on a large range of experimental measures. The NLGMM can be used for different kinds of excitations in non linear dynamics: periodic, transient or random excitations. The non linear stiffness is represented by a simple polynomial function. Comparisons between measures and computed values have been carried on several viscoelastic samples. The NLGMM shows a good accordance with experimental results.