Application of Nonlinear Localization to Engineering Structures

Abstract

We develop a practical approach to adding passive nonlinear elements to large-scale lightweight space trusses so that the energy induced by externally applied loads can be confined to the neighborhood where it is originally generated, and hence the amount of control effort needed to minimize the unwanted disturbance is reduced. The specific mechanism for inducing motion confinement is special nonlinear joints that are capable of transferring energy from low frequencies to high frequencies and thus aid in the motion confinement. It is anticipated that the methodologies and results of this Thesis will find application in robust vibration and shock isolation designs of practical large-scale structures.