A method, apparatus and computer program product for the finite element analysis of frequency dependent behaviour of nonlinear materials and contacts

The present invention relates to an analysis method, apparatus and computer software for the analysis for the frequency behaviour of assemblies containing nonlinear materials, and contacts between a plurality of components comprised in the assemblies. In accordance to the present invention, the frequency behaviour of assemblies containing nonlinear materials, and contacts between a plurality of components comprised in the assemblies is analysed by dividing a volume and a contact area of the assemblies into a plurality of finite elements characterized by a plurality of frequency and displacement dependent matrices, linearizing an equation characteristic for the frequency behaviour of the assemblies, solving the characteristic equation in a frequency domain, performing a first stage projection in a time domain to reduce a number of degrees of freedom of said plurality of finite elements from a number of said plurality of finite elements to a number of relevant modes, performing a second stage projection in the frequency domain, and calculating a plurality of Fourier series coefficients describing the frequency behaviour of the assemblies.