Experiments on a beam-rigid body structure repetitively impacting a rod

This paper investigates the experimental dynamics of a beam structure that supports an attached rigid body and that can impact a comparatively compliant base structure. The problem area is motivated by impact phenomena that are observed in certain structures internal to nuclear reactors. The assembly is subjected to base excitation at specified frequency and acceleration, and the resulting displacement and velocity time histories are recorded and used to obtain spectra, phase diagrams, and Poincaré sections. The measurements validate simulation results obtained by using a constraint and modal mapping method based on the two sets of modes when the structure is in-contact, and when it is not-in-contact. Generalized coordinates are mapped across the impact discontinuities in the modal representation. The forced response simulation predicts the test specimen’s response over a range of excitation frequencies. The specimens are fabricated as single integral structures from acrylnitrile butadene styrene plastic through rapid prototyping technology in order to eliminate the undesirable dissipation and flexibility arising from joints and connections. The experimental system can exhibit complex response characteristics, and the influences on complexity of deadband clearance and of asymmetry in the point of impact are examined in the experiments.