| Abstract: | A criterion of stability pertaining to the hybrid frequency-time-domain procedure is derived. It stems from the initial-value theorem on one side and from the condition of convergence which applies to the harmonic counterpart of the procedure on the other side. The criterion depends on the dynamic stiffnesses of both the original non-linear system and the pseudo-linear system evaluated at the Nyquist frequency. Since at this frequency both stiffnesses are usually controlle by the mass, the criterion of stability is satisfied for most structural systems. The procedure must, however, be applie sequentially to individual time segments. The validity of this criterion is confirmed by a numerical investigation performe for a SDOF system. The solution of non-linear dynamic problems requires consideration of implementation issues which are also discusse in the paper. The analysis of a non-linear soil-structure-interaction system in which the soil's stiffness coefficients an directly defined in the frequency domain also demonstrates the accuracy of the hybrid frequency-time-domain procedure. |
