The study deals with the dynamic simulation of structures with non linear interfaces and particularly with the development of various extensions of the harmonic balance method. This method, applied for steady state vibrations, is based on the response approximation with a truncated Fourier series. Depending on the more or less pronounced non linear response behavior, the number of harmonics to retain to correctly approach the response may be important and may strongly vary over all the frequency band. One of the main objectives of this research work has been to propose a calculation strategy which allows adapting the number of harmonics for each frequency. In order to globally approach the structure vibration, the proposed methodology basics is to observe the strain energy evolution functions of frequency contents. The developed formulation is easy to calculate and may be employed with internal reduction steps of the harmonic balance method. Moreover, an extension of this technique for quasi-periodic vibrations is possible by redefining harmonic choice strategies. In conjunction with this main objective, internal variables in non linear interface models (friction models for example) have been considered in a specific adaptive harmonic balance method formulation. Then, these specific methods have been applied on numerical aeronautical structure models. An equipment isolator integrating a non linear viscoelastic material has been simulated. Secondly, adaptive harmonic balance method has been employed for the study of non linear dynamic effects of bolted structures. Finally, quasi periodic vibration calculation has been carried out on a launcher stage integrating dry friction dampers.
