Abstract
Joint components in complex deployable truss structures on spacecraft show strong nonlinear characteristics, which can produce significant influences on overall dynamic characteristics of jointed beam structure. In this study, the dynamic characteristics of revolute-jointed beam, considering cubic nonlinearity are investigated using describing function method. For the revolute joint, additional degree of freedom at the location of joint is introduced, on which a generalized force is acted to estimate constraint of joint. Then the effectiveness validation of the theoretical model, and the analysis on effects of joint on the natural and dynamic characteristics of jointed beam are presented.