Colloquia

Summary

This research investigates the effects of vibrations on the raising mechanism of a Multi Mission Radar (MMR) system under transport-related excitation. During off-road operations, broadband random vibrations are transmitted to the radar structure, potentially affecting systems integrity. The raising mechanism exhibits a non-linear behavior which influences the dynamic characteristics. To study these characteristics, the mechanism is functionally approximated by a rotational single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model which includes the non-linear behavior. A numerical model based on a non-linear equation of motion and Newmark–Beta time integration is developed and validated through base excitation random vibration tests where responses between simulation and experiment are compared. The model is subsequently used to gain insight into the sensitivity of parameters affecting the non-linearity to obtain recommendations for improved vibration robustness of the MMR raising mechanism.