| Abstract: | The applicability of explicit time integration in structural dynamics is often limited by a restrictively small solution time increment. This paper presents a mass penalty technique whereby the highest natural frequencies of a dynamic system can be preferentially lowered with only a minimal effect on the structural modes. Because the critical time increment is inversely proportional to the highest natural frequency, a dramatic increase in the solution time increment may be achieved. An expression is developed for the frequency shift and a number of useful properties of this technique are derived analytically for linear systems. Its utility in non-linear analyses is demonstrated with several examples. |
