Conventional simulation methods to solve structural dynamics problems are in the domain of finite element technology where the problem is solved in the modal domain and then the results are mapped into the time domain by appropriate transformations.
Limitations of the prior art have been in the difficulty in deriving new three-dimensional elements for different applications of interest and the lack of ease in obtaining the temporal solution directly from the solution of governing elastodynamic pdes.
The need to know the state of a structural system during its operation in terms of the physical output variables such as stresses and the geometric configuration of the system itself is essential for monitoring the system health. Such systems can be tested, prior to launching them in their operational domain, in a laboratory or through relatively inexpensive computational simulations.
Such systems when subjected to space and time varying loads during their operation can throw the system into unsafe states from the system's health perspective. It is therefore essential to have a prior knowledge of such system states before the systems are commissioned.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for alternative modeling and simulation methods for structural systems.