LAUSR

Abstract An approach that combines the transfer matrix method (TMM) and single variable model updating is proposed to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a cantilever beam formed by an adhesively bonded single lap joint (SLJ). When the TMM is applied to the SLJ beam, the key is to determine the effective density and effective elastic modulus for the overlap region element. In this study, the effective density is determined using a volume fraction approach and the effective elastic modulus is determined using a single variable model updating approach. This approach is compared with a commonly used additive approach to determine the overlap region effective elastic modulus. The performance of the proposed single variable model updating approach is evaluated using a finite element model and experimental testing as benchmarks. The proposed single variable TMM model updating approach consistently outperforms the additive approach for the single lap joint specimens considered. Further, the robustness and general applicability of the overlap region effective elastic modulus are demonstrated, including its ability to deal with uncertainty. Insights about the impact of selected structural modifications on the natural frequencies of the single lap joint specimens are discussed.