Experimental validation of benchtop ground testing for continuum structures using force reconstruction

Abstract

Force reconstruction is a vital engineering tool for estimating unknown or unmeasurable forces, such as aerodynamic loads, applied to structures. It plays a key role in designing structurally reliable and material-efficient systems. The Sum of Weighted Acceleration Techniques (SWAT) offers an experimental approach for estimating force in cases where direct measurement is impractical, such as in wind tunnel testing. SWAT leverages experimental data to estimate unknown forces without requiring detailed knowledge of the structural system. This study evaluates the performance of SWAT on a non-linear test structure, simulating real-world applications. Two forces, impulsive excitation sources from an impact hammer and sweep forces from a modal shaker, were used to assess SWAT’s effectiveness in practical force reconstruction scenarios. Additionally, the paper details an analytical process for deriving weighting coefficients from experimental data via modal analysis. Results confirm SWAT’s ability to accurately reconstruct forces from acceleration data, underscoring its value in designing resilient and efficient mechanical systems for real-world engineering applications.