Modal analysis

Modal analysis is the study of the dynamic properties of structures under vibrational excitation.

Modal analysis is the field of measuring and analysing the dynamic response of structures and or fluids when excited by an input. Examples would include measuring the vibration of a car's body when it is attached to an electromagnetic^{[disambiguation needed ]} shaker, or the noise pattern in a room when excited by a loudspeaker.

Modern day modal testing systems are composed of transducers (typically accelerometers and load cells), or non contact via a Laser vibrometer, an analog-to-digital converter frontend (to digitize analog instrumentation signals) and a host PC (personal computer) to view the data and analyze it.

Classically this was done with a SIMO (single-input, multiple-output) approach, that is, one excitation point, and then the response is measured at many other points. In the past a hammer survey, using a fixed accelerometer and a roving hammer as excitation, gave a MISO (multiple-input, single-output) analysis, which is mathematically identical to SIMO, due to the principle of reciprocity. In recent years MIMO (multi-input, multiple-output) has become more practical, where partial coherence analysis identifies which part of the response comes from which excitation source.

Typical excitation signals can be classed as impulse, broadband, swept sine, chirp, and possibly others. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The analysis of the signals typically relies on Fourier analysis. The resulting transfer function will show one or more resonances, whose characteristic mass, frequency and damping can be estimated from the measurements.

The animated display of the mode shape is very useful to NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) engineers.

The results can also be used to correlate with finite element analysis normal mode solutions.

Structures

In structural engineering, modal analysis uses a structure's overall mass and stiffness to find the various periods that it will naturally resonate at. These periods of vibration are very important to note in earthquake engineering, as it is imperative that a building's natural frequency does not match the frequency of expected earthquakes in the region in which the building is to be constructed. If a structure's natural frequency matches an earthquake's frequency, the structure could continue to resonate and experience structural damage.

Although modal analysis is usually carried out by computers, it is possible to hand-calculate the period of vibration of any high-rise building by idealizing it as a fixed-ended cantilever with lumped masses. For a more detailed explanation, see "Structural Analysis" by Ghali, Neville, and Brown, as it provides an easy-to-follow approach to idealizing and solving complex structures by hand.

Electrodynamics

The basic idea of a modal analysis in electrodynamics is the same as in mechanics. The application is to determine which electromagnetic wave modes can stand or propagate within conducting enclosures such as waveguides or resonators.

See also

• Frequency analysis
• Modal analysis using FEM
• Mode shape
• Eigenanalysis
• Structural dynamics
• Vibration
• Modal testing
• Seismic performance analysis

References

• D. J. Ewins: Modal Testing: Theory, Practice and Application
• Jimin He, Zhi-Fang Fu (2001). Modal Analysis, Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 0-7506-5079-6.

External links

• Experimental Modal Analysis
• Structural Dynamics Testing/Modal Analysis
• A Brief Introduction to Modal Analysis
• An Introduction on the Topic from The Society for Experimental Mechanics
• International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC)
• International Seminar on Modal Analysis (ISMA)
• NAFEMS - Modal Analysis in Virtual Prototyping and Product Validation
• An Integrated Approach to the Dynamic Testing of Aerospace Structures
• Free Excel sheets to estimate modal parameters