On the Modal and Non-Modal Model Reduction of Metallic Structures with Variable Boundary Conditions

Vibration mode based model reduction methods like Component Mode Synthesis (CMS) will be compared to methods coming from control engineering, namely moment matching (MM) and balanced truncation (BT). Conclusions based on the theory together with a numerical demonstration will be presented. The key issues on which the paper is focused are the reduction of metallic structures, the sensitivity of the reduced model to varying boundary conditions, full system response, accurate statics and the possibility to determine “a priori” the number of needed modes (trial vectors). These are important topics for the use of reduction methods in general and in particular for the implementation of FE models in multi body system dynamics where model reduction is widely used. The intention of this paper is to give insight into the methods nature and to clarify the strengths and limitations of the three methods. It turns out, that in the considered framework CMS delivers the best results together with a clear strategy for an “a priori” selection of the modes (trial vectors).