Determination of coupling loss factors for beams connected at an angle

The use of a statistical energy method for the analysis of dynamic systems assumes that coupling loss factors of subsystems must be known. Coupling loss factors show what part of energy moves from one subsystem to another. They are included in the system of energy balance equations and must first be determined analytically, experimentally or numerically. The most promising of the listed methods is a numerical one. In particular, this paper uses a finite element method. The purpose of this study is to determine the coupling loss factors of two subsystems in two versions of their relative positions. The basis is the model of an L-shaped connection of two beams, which is quite common in such studies. L-shaped connections of structural parts are often found in building structures, but in other industries, such as the development of space and aviation technology, structural elements are often connected at an angle other than 90°. Since energy methods (EMs) can also be applied to aerospace industry, when developing approaches to analyzing structures using such methods, it is useful to know how the energy parameters of a system, in particular coupling loss factors, change depending on the fact at what angle their components are connected. The paper considers two system configurations: in the first, the beams are connected at a right angle, in the second - at an angle of 45°. The coupling loss factors of the beams are calculated for both system configurations. Conclusions are drawn about the possibility of disseminating the results obtained to more complex structures, namely spacecraft structures.