Nonlinear System Identification and Modeling of a New Fatigue Testing Rig Based on Inertial Forces

A novel fatigue testing rig based on inertial forces is introduced. The test rig has capacity to mimic various loading conditions including high frequency loads. The rig design allows reconfigurations to accommodate a range of specimen sizes, and changes in structural elements and instrumentation. It is designed to be used as a platform to study the interaction between fatigue crack propagation and structural dynamics. As the first step to understand this interaction, a numerical model of testing rig is constructed using nonlinear system identification approaches. Some initial testing results also are reported.