A Method to Improve the Modal Convergence for Structures With External Forcing

The traditional approach of using free vibration modes in the assumed mode method often leads to an extremely slow convergence rate, especially when discete interactive forces are involved. By introducing a number of forced modes, significant improvements can be achieved. These forced modes are intrinsic to the structure and the spatial distribution of forces. The motion of the structure can be described exactly by these forced modes and a few free vibration modes provided that certain conditions are satisfied. The forced modes can be viewed as an extension of static modes. The development of a forced mode formulation is outlined and a numerical example is presented.