ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the details behind systemaugmentation and discusses several linear techniques that have been used with augmented linear systems, explores the results of applying the method to various systems. Sometimes nonlinearities present in the dynamics of systems are weak and a linearized model can be used for modeling and analysis. However, the linearized model is only valid over a specified range of parameters. The reason why linear and linearized systems are often preferred over nonlinear systems is that there are a large set of linear techniques that have already been developed in a wide array of fields, including system identification, structural health monitoring, and sensing. A useful tool for gaining insight into linear systems as well as for further analysis is modal analysis. The system augmentation approach enables the use of a variety of linear tools to be used with nonlinear systems.
