Nonlinear response analysis of bolted joined cylindrical-cylindrical shell with general boundary condition

To investigate the nonlinear vibration behavior of bolted joined cylindrical-cylindrical shell, a macroslip model was considered into the radial connection at the interface between the shell segments. Based on Sanders’ shell theory and the connection condition, the vibration differential equation of the structure was established. The mono-harmonic method was used to linearize the connection model and incremental harmonic balance method was used to obtain the results of the dynamic response. First, to test the accuracy of the present method, the frequency analysis was done and the results were compared with those by ANSYS and a good agreement was shown. Then, the convergence of the method was discussed. And finally, the effects of the preload of bolts, excitation amplitude, frictional coefficient and connection stiffness on the forced response were studied. The soft nonlinearity of the response curves was easily obtained under some conditions. The results show the resonance frequency and amplitude are sensitive to the preload of bolts, excitation amplitude, frictional coefficient and connection stiffness. The results reveal the dynamic characteristics of bolted joined cylindrical-cylindrical shell and would be of signification for shell structure design and vibration control. [Display omitted] •Forced response is presented for the bolted joined cylindrical-cylindrical shell.•The equivalent stiffness and damping of the bolt joints are studied here.•The proposed method is appropriate for arbitrary boundary condition.•Amplitude-frequency characteristics are analyzed under different parameters.•The results reveal the mechanism for “frequency drift” of the assembly shell.