Project 2:

Modal Analysis
Introduction to Finite Element Method I

Winter Semester 2021/2022

Students:
Submitted to: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörn Mosler,
Rebeca Cruz
M. Sc. Dilek Güzel,
M. Sc. Gian-Luca Geuken Stavros Bozinis
 List of contents

● Introduction
● Theory
● FEM for Modal Analysis
● Numerical Example
● Implementation of the code
● Results/Animation
● Comparisons (analytical solution, influence of discretization)
● Other applications of Modal Analysis
● Conclusion

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 Introduction

The FEM method is commonly used to calculate the response of a system (stresses, strains)
under an applied load, considering the physical properties of the system and specific boundary
conditions.

The FEM method can also be used to perform Modal Analysis of vibration systems. Compared to
manually performed modal analysis of discrete systems, the FEM version may yield better results
as finer discretizations can be used and the effort is more reasonable compared to manually.

In this project, we aim to modify the algorithm provided in the class for an elastodynamic system
and perform a Modal Analysis of a structure, and then compare how a different discretization might
affect the results.

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 Theory: What is a Modal Analysis?

A modal analysis determines the Natural frequencies and Mode shapes of a structure or
machine component during free vibration.
The natural frequencies are the ones at which the structure naturally tends to vibrate if
it is subjected to a disturbance.
The mode shape of vibration is the deformed shape of the structure at a specific natural
frequency of vibration.

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 Theory: Natural Frequencies and Mode Shapes
Both parameters are functions of the structural properties and boundary conditions of the system, if the
structural properties change, so do natural frequencies; mode shapes however will not necessarily change.

First three Natural First three Natural

Frequencies and Frequencies and Mode
Mode Shapes of a Shapes of a simply
cantilever beam supported beam

Sources: ttps://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-First-Three-Undamped-Natural-Frequencies-and-Mode-Shape-of-Cantilever-Beam_fig2_287196303
https://www.logosfoundation.org/instrum_gwr/rodo/stalukdar.pdf

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 Using FEM to conduct a Modal Analysis
To conduct a modal analysis using the FEM, we consider free vibrations for the modal analysis, so that the
balance of linear momentum is reduced to the homogeneous form:

(This only holds for the free DOFs)

Then, uniform vibration solutions (for the displacements) can be expressed using the assumption:

Which results in: 𝞈 = angular frequency

𝝰 = phase shift
𝒖* = amplitudes/eigenvectors.
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 Numerical Example

A modal analysis of a cantilever beam with length ℓ= 85 mm, height h= 10 mm is carried

out using the FEM to find the natural frequencies and vibration modes of the system.

ℓ
The elastic properties are
E= 210,000 MPa
v=0.3 h
⍴=1

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 Numerical Example

The beam is modelled using a 4-node quadrilateral elements mesh (34 elements), with
the top, central and bottom nodes at the right end restrained in the x and y direction to
impose dirichlet boundary conditions.

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 Implementation of the code

Code from exercise 6 as base

Calculation of eigenvalues and eigenvectors with scipy’s eigh function

Adjusting eigenvector to comply with dirichlet boundaries

Displacements through for time loop

Subsequent calculations of e.g. stresses using u(t)

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 Results/ Animation
1st mode 4th mode 5th mode

Roughly represents first 3 modes 6th mode 7th mode

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 Comparison with other solutions
Analytically, the natural frequencies for a cantilever beam can be found from the equations derived
from Euler-Bernoulli Beam Theory:
with

With n= 1, 2, 3, 4..
Cn = 3.5160, 22.0345, 61.6972, 120.0902, 199.8600,...

And for mode shapes:

with

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 Comparison with other solutions
Mode 1
Mode 2
Mode 3
Mode 4

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 Influence of discretization - coarse
Fewer eigenvalues and -vectors

=> fewer modes can be calculated

Modes of higher frequency become impossible

Mode 4 4x2 elements

Animations become blocky

Mode 4 1x2 elements

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 Influence of discretization - fine
First 8 eigenvalues seem to each converge to a value

Value of lowest and highest EV’s becomes greater

Mode 4 34x4 elements

Animations become smoother

Neutral Axis becomes clearly visible

Mode 4 170x20 elements

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 Other applications of Modal Analysis
● Vibration of an Earth Dam ● Electromagnetic fields

Source: P. 577, O.C. Zienkiewicz, R.L. Taylor. The Finite Element Method: Its Basis and Fundamentals. Wiley, 2012.
Source: P. 576, O.C. Zienkiewicz, R.L. Taylor. The Finite Element Method: Its Basis and Fundamentals. Wiley, 2012.

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 Conclusion

● The FEM is a viable way to calculate the mode shapes of a vibrating system and results can
be used for further applications.

● The coarser the discretization, the fewer mode shapes can be calculated (no solution for
higher frequency modes).

● Most of the time only the lowest frequencies are needed because they can be the most
common mode shapes at which a structure will vibrate.

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 References

[1] O.C. Zienkiewicz, R.L. Taylor. The Finite Element Method: Its Basis and
Fundamentals. Wiley, 2012.

[2] G. Dhatt, G. Touzot, E. Lefrançois. Finite Element Method. Wiley, 2012.

[3] https://www.logosfoundation.org/instrum_gwr/rodo/stalukdar.pdf

[4] Screencasts provided in the class FEM 1, TU Dortmund.

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 Thank you for your attention!

Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit!

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