Balancing energy to estimate damping in a forced oscillator with compliant contact

This work identifies damping parameters from compliant-contact vibration systems using an energy balance. To develop the identification algorithms, the energy loss as registered in the force–displacement relationship of the real system is expressed in terms of a theoretical model incorporating an ideal compliant contact. Two approaches, one based on the harmonic response assumption and the other directly integrating the system responses, are developed. Numerical and experimental investigations are performed to illustrate the reliability of the identification algorithms. The method is applied to an experimental industrial linear-bearing system.