Component system identification and state-space model synthesis

A scheme for synthesis of subsystem state-space models to be used for analysis of dynamic behaviour of built-up structures is presented. Using measurements on each component, subsystem models are identified adopting contemporary system identification methods. The subsystem state-space models are transformed into a coupling form, at which kinematic constraints and equilibrium conditions for the interfaces are introduced. The procedure is applied to a plane frame structure, which is built up of two components. It is found that the non-trivial model order determination constitutes a crucial step in the process. If the model order is incorrect at subsystem level, the synthesized model may radically fail to describe the properties of the built-up structure. It is also found that the identified subsystem models need to satisfy certain physically motivated constraints, e.g. reciprocity and passivity. Different approaches and methods to aid the model order determination and the estimation of physically consistent state-space models at subsystem level are discussed.