On the identification of non-linear structural mechanic systems

For the special needs of structural mechanic systems, an identification method has been developed, which supports the analysis of various nonlinear mechanisms in real structures by system observing and systematic modelbuilding. The method is based on the separation of the real system into a linear model, which is designed by a priori knowledge only, and an unknown model, whose parameters are estimated in the identification procedure. The models are coupled by statevalue feedback. The state values are estimated by Kalman filtering. Main applications are systems with distributed friction mechanisms, which are modeled by Masing elements. (orig.)