Publication informationMechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 66-67 : 314-338 Publisher ElsevierItem record/more information http://hdl.handle.net/10197/7727 Publisher's statement þÿ T h i s i s t h e a u t h o r s v e r s i o n o f a w o r k t h a t

Publication informationEngineering Structures, 77 : 95-108Publisher Elsevier Item record/more information

Changes in the performance of bearings can significantly vary the distribution of internal forces and moments in a structure as a result of environmental or operational loads. The response of a bearing has been traditionally idealized using a linear model but a non-linear representation produces a more accurate picture at the expense of modelling complexity and computational time. In this article, a lead rubber bearing is idealized using the hysteretic Bouc-Wen model. The Hilbert-Huang transform is then employed to characterize the features of the non-linear system from the instantaneous frequencies of the bearing response to a time-varying force. Instantaneous frequencies are also shown to be a useful tool in detecting sudden damage to the bearings simulated by a reduction in the effective stiffness of the force-deformation loop.

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