Numerical estimation of the influence of joint stiffness on free vibrations of frame structures via the scattering of waves at elastic joints

In the structural design of mechanical products, natural frequencies must be controlled to reduce noise and vibration. In particular, the stiffness of the joints which assemble the structural components affects the natural frequencies. Therefore, it is important to predict the influence of joint stiffness on natural frequencies. Generally, these effects are determined by iterative finite element analyses of assembled structural models. Because this results in high computational costs, the sensitivity of natural frequencies to joint stiffness should be determined by a different approach to make the structural design process more efficient. Therefore, this paper proposes the use of reflection and transmission coefficients of elastic joints to predict the dependency of natural frequencies on joint stiffness. First, we formulate the reflection and transmission coefficients of joint stiffness, and then organize the coefficients using a ray tracing method. These formulations enable us to discuss the mechanisms which determine the natural frequency of a structure based on a wave approach using the phase-closure principle. Therefore, by applying the phase-closure principle to the frame structure, we investigate the formation of bending modes, which suggests that the effects of joint stiffness on natural frequencies correspond to the dependence of the reflection and transmission coefficients on joint stiffness. Therefore, these coefficients are useful indicators for estimating the influence of joint stiffness.