Method, Apparatus and Computer Program Product for the Finite Element Analysis of Frequency Dependent Behavior of Nonlinear Materials and Contacts

An analysis method, apparatus and computer software are disclosed for the analysis for the frequency behavior of assemblies containing nonlinear materials, and contacts between a plurality of components comprised in the assemblies. The frequency behavior of assemblies containing nonlinear materials, and contacts between components comprised in the assemblies is analysed by dividing a volume and a contact area of the assemblies into finite elements characterized by frequency and displacement dependent matrices, linearizing an equation characteristic for the frequency behavior 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 finite elements from a number of said finite elements to a number of relevant modes, performing a second stage projection in the frequency domain, and calculating Fourier series coefficients describing the frequency behavior of the assemblies.