On the transmission of non-Gaussian random loading through linear structures
Arvid Trapp, Fabian Hollweck, Peter Wolfsteiner
Abstract
The kurtosis finds popular application for characterizing the non-Gaussianity of random loading. Commonly overseen is that the kurtosis has a spectral representation – the trispectrum, which provides substantial information regarding the specific nature of the non-Gaussianity and the affected frequencies. This becomes crucial when estimating the degree of non-Gaussianity that transfers into structural responses and consequently affects fatigue damage. To shed light on the mechanisms that describe the transmission of the kurtosis into structural responses of linear systems, this paper covers three central aspects. The first is an overview on estimation and visualization techniques of the trispectrum. Secondly, the transfer characteristic of the trispectrum through linear structures is examined. Lastly, on this basis, popular kurtosis control algorithms are employed to demonstrate that mechanical structures with relevant resonances are more sensitive to non-stationary non-Gaussian loading than to stationary non-Gaussian loading.