Modal analysis using FEM

The goal of modal analysis in structural mechanics is to determine the natural shapes and frequencies of an object or structure during free vibration. It is common to use the finite element method (FEM) to perform this analysis because li!e other calculations using the FEM the object being analy"ed can have arbitrary shape and the results of the calculations are acceptable. The types of equations #hich arise from modal analysis are those seen in eigensystems. The physical interpretation of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors #hich come from solving the system are that they represent the frequencies and corresponding mode shapes. $sually the only desired modes are the smallest because they are the most prominent modes at #hich the object #ill vibrate dominating all the higher modes. Contents % FE& eigensystems %.% 'omparison to linear algebra ( Methods of solution ) E*amples

FEA eigensystems
For the most basic problem involving a linear elastic material #hich obeys +oo!e,s -a# the matri* equations ta!e the form of a dynamic three dimensional spring mass system. The generali"ed equation of motion is given as.

#here

is the mass matri*

is the (nd time derivative of the displacement is a damping matri* is the stiffness

(i.e. the acceleration)

is the velocity

matri* and is the force vector. The only terms !ept are the %st and )rd terms on the left hand side #hich give the follo#ing system.

This is the general form of the eigensystem encountered in structural engineering using the FEM. Further harmonic motion is typically assumed for the structure so that ta!en to equal #here / is an eigenvalue and the equation reduces to. is

In contrast the equation for static problems is.

#hich is e*pected #hen all terms having a time derivative are set to "ero.

Comparison to linear algebra

In linear algebra it is more common to see the standard form of an eigensystem #hich is e*pressed as.

0oth equations can be seen as the same because if the general equation is multiplied through by the inverse of the mass it #ill ta!e the form of the latter. It should be noted that because only the lo#er modes are desired solving the system more li!ely involves the equivalent of multiplying through by the inverse of the stiffness a process called inverse iteration. 1hen this is done the resulting eigenvalues 2 relate to that of the original by.

but the eigenvectors are the same.

Methods of solution
For linear elastic problems that are properly set up (no rigid body rotation or translation) the stiffness and mass matrices and the system in general are positive definite. These are the easiest matrices to deal #ith because the numerical methods commonly applied are guaranteed to converge to a solution. 1hen all the qualities of the system are considered. %) 3nly the smallest eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the lo#est modes are desired () The mass and stiffness matrices are sparse and highly banded )) The system is positive definite & typical prescription of solution is first to tridiagonali"e the system using the -anc"os algorithm. 4e*t use the 56 algorithm to find the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of this tridiagonal system. If inverse iteration is used the ne# eigenvalues #ill relate to the old

by #hile the eigenvectors of the original can be calculated from those of the tridiagonali"ed matri* by.

#here

is a 6it" vector appro*imately equal to the eigenvector of the original is the nth eigenvector of the

system is the matri* of -anc"os vectors and tridiagonal matri*.

Example
The mesh sho#n belo# is the frame of a building modeled as beam elements specifically consisting of 7)8 elements and )9: nodal points. The building is constrained at its base #here displacements and rotations are "ero. The ne*t images are that of the first : lo#est modes of this building during free vibration. This problem can be seen as a depiction of the li!eliest deflections a building #ould ta!e during an earthqua!e. &s e*pected the first mode is a s#aying of the building from front to bac!. The ne*t mode is s#aying of the building side to side. The third mode is a stretching and compression mode in the vertical y direction. For the fourth mode the building nearly assumes the shape of half a sine #ave. The fifth mode is a t#isting mode.

3riginal mesh

Mode % s#aying front to bac!

Mode % and original mesh

Mode ( s#aying side to side

Mode ( and original mesh

Mode ) stretching and compression

Mode ) and original mesh

Mode ; sine shape

Mode ; and original mesh

Mode : t#isting

Mode : and original mesh