Solving eigenvalue

problems:
modal analysis & buckling

J.Cugnoni, LMAF/EPFL, 2012

Modal analysis

Goal:
extract natural resonnance frequencies and eigen modes of a
structure

Problem statement
Dynamics equations (free vibration = no force)
M u + K u = 0
Class of solution: u = U e i t
Find the eigen modes U and eigen values = 2 of the problem

(K - M U = 0

Boundary conditions:
Only zero-displacement boundary conditions are allowed but not
necessary
Cannot impose force or non-zero displacement as we solve a
free vibration problem

Modal analysis :
free boundary conditions
Without boundary conditions, K is singular and to solve the modal problem, K-1 is
needed. But M is always positive definite, so we can cheat a bit and introduce
a virtual frequency shift in the problem to obtain a positive definite K matrix:

K M U 0
K ( ' ) M U 0
(K M ) ' M U 0
K' 'M U 0
So to solve a modal analysis problem with at least one free rigid body motion; you
will need to define a frequency shift that. is sufficeint to get a positive K matrix.
To be sure to have all modes in the solution should be taken between 0 and the
12 where 12 denotes the lowest flexible eigenfrequency.

Modal analysis : symmetries

Be careful with symmetries in modal analysis:
If you use symmetries in modal analysis, you will obtain only the
eigenmodes that statisfy the symmetry condition but you will miss all the
anti-symmetric modes and their eigen frequencies !!!
Symmetry plane

Symmetric modes

OK

Anti - Symmetric modes

NOT OK

So in most cases geometrical and material symmetries should not be

considered to build a modal analysis model of a structure

Buckling

Goal:
Extract the maximum compressive force before elastic instability
occure using a linearized theory (small perturbation)

Problem statement
In the initial state (can include a preload P) the stiffness matrix
of the system is K0 . But the apparent stiffness matrix changes if
the part is deformed. The change of stiffness with geometrical
configuration change is represented by the geometrical stiffness
matrix Kg associated to a loading Q of arbitratry magnitude
The system becomes unstable when the applied force F =
P+Q
Where is obtained from the buckling eigenvalue equation:

(K0 + Kg ) U = 0
U represents the buckling modes and is called the
buckling force multiplier