Inlroduction to Firite Element Analysis t3-t

Chapter 13
Dynamic Modal Analysis

sor rr.. Fqufty 06ihEreril

Mlde sh6!a ? vabe- 12413H2

1..,-,",^

Understand the Basic concepts of

Natural Frequencies.
Perform FEA Frequency Analysis on
simple Systems.
Using the Equivalent Mass Spring
System approach in performing Modal
Analysis
l3-2 Iotroduction to Finite Element Analysis

Introduction
All objects will vibrate when subjectcd to impact, noise or vibration. And many systems
can resonate, where small forces can result in Iarge deflormation, and damage can be
indnced in the systems. Resonance is the tendency ofa system to oscillate at maximum
amplitude at certain frequencies, klown as the system's resonant frequencies. At these
frequencies, even small driving forces can produce large amplitude vibrations. When
damping is small, the resonant frequency is approximately equal to the natural
frequency of the system, which is the frequency offree vibrations. Any physical
structure can be modeled as a number of springs, masses and dampers. The multifude of
spring-mass-damper systems that make up a mechanical system are called degrees of
freedom; and the vibration energy put into a system will distribute itself among the
degrees offreedom in amounts depending on their natural frequencies and damping, and
on the frequency olthe energy source. The response of the system is different at each of
the diflerent natural frequencies; and these deformation pattems are called mode
shapes. Frequency analysis (or Modal analysis) is the study of the dynamic properties
of systems under excitation. Detailed frequency analysis dctermines the fundamental
vibration mode shapes and corresponding lrequencies. Both the natural frequencies and
mode shapes can be used to hclp design better systems lor noise and vibration
applications.

Enleloper 1ll1-{" /," l'

r, = Nalural Freqlrency
o.= lnplt Frequency
.,=0-'-."."-"...}
Oisaskous resonance whenii: 0 for o-li,, : I

Maxrmum C!rve:
E .q
I
6
e
E x 8
'a
E E
o

10 1.5

Frequency Ratio (')r l0)o

Frequency analysis can be relativcly simple fbr basic components of a simple system,
and extren.rely complicated for a complex system, such as a structure exposed to periodic
wind loading or dudng seisrnic activities. With the advancements of computers, the
accurate determination ofnatural frecluencies and mode shapes are best suited to using
special techniques such as Finite Element Analysis.
 Dynamic Modal Analysis l3-3

Problem Statement
1) Determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes ofa cantilever bean.r. The beam
is made ofsteel and has the dimensions of 14.5" x 1/8" x 1".

I
T 118"

14.5"

2) Determine the first natural frequency and mode shapes of a cantilcver bearn with a
small halfpound object attached to the free end of the cantilever beam.

Preliminary Analysis
The cantilever beam is an example of a system, which can be modeled as a simple spring-
mass system. In order to model the vibration of the cantilever beam. the end of the beam
is chosen as a reference point at which the characteristics and response olthe beam are
measured. An equivalent system is then built so that the natural frequency of the system
can be determined. The equivalent spring constant can be calculated using bearn
deflection formulae. Calculation ofan equivalent mass is necessary because all points
along the beam's length do not have the same response as the end of the bearn. This
means that the equivalent mass, m", cannot be determined simply by using the masses of
the beam, but must be found by equating the energy of the system as it r.ibrates.

From Strength of Materials, the deflection at the tip of the cantilever beam can be
determined by

y- PL3
3Er
The deflection equation of the mass spring system is

F:ky
So the equivalent spring constant can be expressed as

,K-T
3EI
1) For the simple mass-spring system, the natural frequency can be expressed as

0n
E
=.,/l (in rad/sec)
Ynl

The equivalent mass (m" ) can be determined from the continuous system analytical
approach, and the first three natural frequencies ofthe cantilever beam can then be
expressed as

trt- un2
EI
,,-,. t 2
r,lhere &n = 1.fi75,4,6q4, 7.855

The first three natural frequencies and mode shapes ofa cantilever beam are as shown in
the figure below.

f,xlI
I

,,rt - (t.S7b)rm

*,, - (4.094)2

,* ^ - -,.t Fr
IT ut
ul:t : i.6)Cl-r
{ ' i -----=-:
V ntbLr

Frequencies and Mode $hapes for Cantilever Beam

 _______ Dynamic Modal Analysis 13-5

For our preliminary analysis, the

first three natural frequencies calculations
are as follows

cnn
, TET u'here ftn = 1.g75, + 694,
: {ritl
,,* T.g5s

E = 3.0 x 107 psi (Modutus of Elasticity for Steet)

| :bh3 fi2 : 1 x (0.12s)3 t12 = 1 .627 x 1O-4 in4

L= 14.5 in
mn: volumexDensity: 1 x0.12i x 14.s x0.0007324=0. 001326 Ibsec2
Therefore, in

or = ('1.875)2 x ( 3.0X107 x 1.627

x 1O-a /(0.001326 x (14.5)3)1/2
= 122.16 (radlsec)
= 19.71 (Hz)

@z= (4.694)2 x ( 3.0x i07 x 1.627 x10-4l

(0.0013 Z6 x(14.5)3)112
= 765.62 (radlsec)
= 121.85 (Hz)

o: = (7.855)r, ( 3:9 x1O7 x1.627 xlO-4l (0.0013

26 x(14.5)3)112
= 2143.99 (rad/sec)
= 341.22 (Hz)

2) The equivalent mass (m.) for the

cantilever beam with a mass attached
a similar format; so that the first natural at the end has
frequency can i" Jrp..rr.a u,

I/ nnr
nLt
(rn" +0.2J6m6)Lt
[
--
col = (3 x 3. 0 x 1 07 x .627 x 1 04 I
1 (o.s I (32.2 x 1 2) + g.236x 0. 00 326) x ( 1 4.s)3)j t2
= 54.67 (rad/sec) 1

= 8.7O (Hz)
l3-6 lntroduction to Finite Element Analysrs

The Cantilever Beam Modal Analysis program

The Cantilever Beam Modal Analysi.s program is a custom built MS Windows based
computer program that can be used to perform simple Freqnency analysis on uniform
cross section cantilever systcms; rectangular and circular cross section calculations are
built-in, but other cross sections can also be used. The program is based on the analyical
methods described in the previous section. Besides calculating the first six natural
frequencies of a cantilever beam, the associated Frequency shapes are also constructed
and displayed. The program is very compact, 75 Kbytes in size, and it will run in any
Microsoft Windows based computer systems.
.i. First download the CBeamModal.zip file, which contains the Cantilever Beam
Frequency Analysis program, from the SDC Publications website.

I . Launch your intemet browser, such as the MS Internet Explorer or Mozilla

Firefox web browsers.

Launch InternEt Explorer Erowser

- f
.-'- '-] - '- tAD
'*::silf!1 '* [Y IritdrnEt

2. In the URL address box, enter

http ://www.sch roff.com/FEASWCBeamModal.zip as shown in the fi gure.

3. On your own, extract the content ofthe ZIP fi1e to any folder.
 Dynamic Modal Analysis 13_7

4. Start the Cantilever Beam Frequency Analysis prograLr by double_clicking

on
the CBeamModal.exe icon.

I] ]. F, : I0.01

The controls to the inputs and the display options are listed
toward the right edge of the program,s main window.

The first two items in the control panel are the required material
information: the Modulus of Elasticity (E) and the Density of
the material. Note that it is critical to use the same units foi all
values entered.

6. Enter the physical dimensions ofthe cantilever beam in the

mid-section ofthe control panel:

For rectangular shapes, select the Rectangular option and enter

the Width and Height dimensions of the cross seition.
For circular shapes, select the Circular option and enter the
Diameter value.
For any other cross section shapes, select the Other option and
enter the Area and Area Moment Of lnertia information in
the next section.

Press the Property Calculation button to calculate the

associated Area, Area Moment of lnertia and Mass
information for the rectangular or the circular cross sections. For
any other shapes, enter the information in the edit boxes. Note that
the mass information is always calculated based on the density
value.
 Introduction to Finite Elemelt

8. The Number of Point option is used to contt.ol the smoothness

of the Frequency shapes. Enter a number between 5 and g0: the
larger the number, the smoother the curve.

9. The Mode Number option is usecl to exarnine thc clilferent

mode shapes ofthe beam. The first six natural lrequencics
modal shapes are performed by the program.

10. Click the Display button to show the results of the Frequency
analysis.

! The displayed graph showing the modal shape with the

horizontal axis conesponds to the length diriction ofthe
cantilever beam.

F The natural frequency ofthe selected n.rode

Mode [3], Frequenry : [341.101 Hz numbcr is calculated and displayed near the
upper lelt corner of the nrain program
windolv.

e ,Fiiliffidilii-
Dmsryil-ilffif-

Lenqrh:F Ai-
widrh miJ-
heish ljii:E-

riu Fiiii-
{. 0ther

Bop cal I
al*li-iffi
lD.ilt!]l]]

No. irn IGf-

f-f:l
r:]

1 l. Click the Exit button to end the program.

 Dynamic Modal Analysis 13-9

Starting SolidWorks
|-
I Rffi [ t. SolidWorks option on the S]arr menu or select the
Setect the
I -_--1.
.Sffi,- [.' Solidworks icon on the desktop to start Solic]Works. The
-';.d'*
II EOnron 1". SolidWorks main window will appear on the screen.
l'
+-*=.=--t
2. Click on the New icon, located in the Srandard
toolbar as shown.
New {ftrl+H}
Creates a new dorument,

3. Select Part by clicking on the first icon inthe New

SolidWorks Document dralogbox as shown.

4. Click on the OK button to accept the settings.

5' Select the options icon from the Menu toolbar to open the options diarogbox.

6. Click Units as shown in the figure.

7. On your own, set the unit system to IpS (inch,

pound, second) as shown.
Unit systEm
I,IF'5 {metEr, kiloqrdm, secondi
,.CGS
. {centimeter, gram, second}
IilFlGS {millimetEr, gram, serondi
9{r,: itn.h. Found. second)
h€rr<tnm
Creating the CAD Model
* To perform the surface FEA analysis, we will first create a solid model using the
Extrude command.

1. Click the Extruded Boss/Base icon, in the Features

toolbar, to create a new extruded feature.

2. Click the Right Plane,

in the graphics area, to
align the sketching
plane of our sketch as
shown.

3. Click the Rectangle icon in the Sketch

toolbar as shown.

4. Start the first comer of the

rectangle at the origin and
create a rectangle as shown. I
I I
r :
 Dynamic Modal Analysis 13-11

5. Click the Smart Dimension icon in the

Sketch toolbar as shown.

6. On your own, create the dimensions and adjust the sketch as shown.

7. Click the Exit Sketch icon tn the Sketch

toolbar to exit the 2D Sketch mode.

8. On your own, using the extrusion distance of

14.5 in, create the solid feature as shown.
 Introduction to Finite Element

Activate the SolidWorks Simulation Module

Solidworks simulation is a multi-discipline computer Aided Engincering (CAE) tool that
enables users to simulate the physical behavior of a model, and therefore enables users to
improve the design. solidworks simulation can be used to predict how a design will
behave in the real world by calculating stresses, deflections, frequencies, heaitransfer
paths, etc.

The solidworks simulation product line features two areas of Finitc Element Analysis:
structure and rhermal. strucrure focuses on the structural integrity of the desigrl and
thermal evaluates heat-transfer characteristics.

1. Staft SolidWorks Sim ation by sclecting

the Office Products tab in the
CommandManoger area as shown.

2. In the SolidlYorks Office list, choose SolidWorks

Simulation as shown.

3. In the CommarulMonager area, choose

Simulation as shown.

'l' Note that the sotidworks Simulation module is integrated as part of solidlltorks. All
of the solidworks simulation commands are accessible through thc icon panel in the
CommandManager arca.

4. To start a new study, click the New Study item listed

under the Study Advisor as shown.
 Dynamic Modal Analysis 13-13

5. Select Frequency as the type ofanalysis to be

performed with SolidWorks Simulation.

Note the different types of analyses are available,

which include both structural static and dynamic
analyses, as well as thermal analysis.

Click OK to start the definition ofa frequency

analysis.

* In the FeatureManager area, note that a new

parel, the FEA Study window, is displayed with
all the key items listed. The icon in front ofthe
Study name identifies the selected type of
analysis.

.!. Also note that Study 1 tab is activated,

which indicates the use of the FEA model.

On your own, save a copy of the current

model.
Assign the Element Material property
) Next we will set up the Ma terial Property for the elements. The Material property
contains the general material information, such as Modulus of Elasticity, poiison;s
Ratio, etc. that is n

1. Choose Apply Materials option

from the pull-down menu as shown.

* Note the default list of materials, which are available in the pre-define d sotidworks
Simulation material library, is displayed.

2. Select Alloy Steel in the Materidl list as shown.

3. set the units option to display English (lps) to make the selected material
available for use in the current FEA model.

nbttriah h ttt default ltbrdy @ not be edited. you tu+ tu3r copy rhe matehat to
aosbm librdv to edt it,

. &tr !D| Use, SnEls

{_6.1 [Git ;.";

4. Click Apply to assign the material property then click Close to exit
the Material Assignment command.
Applying Boundary Conditions _ Constraints

I . Choose_ Fixed Geometry by clicking

the
ttxtue icon in the toolbar as shown.

2. Select the small end surface of

the left end of the model as the
entity to apply the fixed
constraint.

3. Click on the OK button to aecept the Fixture

constraint settings.

F or
frequency analysis, we do,not need to apply any extemal load
to the system. The
natura l.lrequenc ies
of physical sysrems are ;ffi;il
f
determined throLrgh the equivalent,asr_spring.vr,"il.'
r"p.ni.r,-'"'
r.r hich can be
 lnhoduction to Finite Element

Greate the first FEA Mesh

) For the frequency analysis, it is still necessary to confirm the convergence by using
a
coarse mesh as the first FEA mesh for the analvsis.

1. Choose Create Mesh by clicking the icon in

the toolbar as shown.

Switch on the Mesh Parameters option, to show

the additional control options.

Sel the Mesh to Standard mesh and Unlls to

inches as shown.

Enter 0.25 inch as the Global element size.

Enter 0.0125 inch as the Srze tolerance.

'!' A good ruIe of thumb to follow in creating the first mesh is to have about 3 to 4
elements on the edges of the model; but since we have a relative smalr
cross section,
we will use the height ofthe cross section as the initial element size.

6. Click on the OK
button to accept the
Mesh settings.
 Dynamic Modal Analysis l3-lj

7. In the FEA Study witrdow, click once

with the righlmouse-button on the Mesh
item to display the option list and select
Details as shown.

Siudl/ name Studr'1 [-Delault]

* The curent mesh consists of3219
[,{esh type Solid l,iesh nodes and 1438 solid elements.

8. Click on the [X] icon to close the

Mesh Details dialog box.

9. Click on the Run button to

starl the FEA Solyer lo
calculate the results.
 Introduction to Finite Element

Viewing the results

1. In the FEA Stu4l window, click once with the

righlmouse-button on the Resrfus item to
display the option list and select List
Resonant Frequencies as shown.

* Note that the first five natural frequencies of the FEA solutions are shown in the
List
Modes dialog box. The three natural frequencies from our analytical calculations
are
very similar to the frequencies found by SolidWorks Simulation.

r Note that the FEA resurts are very similar to the preliminary analysis results.
The
preliminary analysis calculated the first three modal shapes tobe 1g.71
Hz,
121 .85 Hz and,341 .22 Hz. Since the FEA analysis wai done
on a 3D model,
additional modal shapes may exist beyond the vertical plane on which the
preliminary analysis was based. The fourth FEA result;34g.07 Hz, does
match
better with the third modal hand calculation of 341.22 Hz. Besides comparing
the frequencies, it is also necessary to view and examine the direction -
of th"
modal shapes.

2. In the List Modes window, click Close to exit the option.

 Dynamic Modal Analysis l3-19

3. In the FEA Study window , click once with

the right-mouse-button on the first item
(Mode shape l) under Results to display
the option list and select Edit Definition
as shown.

Set the Displacement {Jnits to inches as shown.

Confirm the P/ot Step - Mode is set to 1; this will

display the first modal shape.

Con.fnm the Deformed Shape option is set to

Automatic.

7. Click OK to display the results.

Introduction to Finite Element

8. On your own, repeat the above steps and show the

Mode Shape 2, the second modal shape.

9. On your own, set the Plot Step - Mode to 4, md

display the second modal shape.
 Refinement of the FEA Mesh _ Global Element
Size 0.15
To confirm the previous calculated FEA
"" convergence by refining
results are adequate, we wilr check for
the mesh to using 0.15 as the giobal
element size.

L Choose Create Mesh by clicking the icon in the

toolbar as shown

2. Click on the OK button to

proceed with deleting the Remeshing will delEtE the rerirlt, for
--1... studlj Studyl,
old mesh and create a new
mesh of the FEA model.

:rr'rdrdmetei5
I*,-___oxH
__1.t_ ll cdncel l

A.
.
it " ,_. * <-.v ,ffi!{1r:*r:}r"tlr}4:(1"
srandar,J mesh ,
-- E

f furrature based mesh 3. Enter 0.75 inch as the Global Element

size.
EI

l+I
4. Click on the OK butto n to accept the Meslz settings
and create a new mesh.
A
EI
.)t l+

{. The refined mesh consists of 12177

nodes
and 6650 solid elemenrs, which is
about lour
trmes more elements than the original
mesh
and it is a very dense mesh.
t3-22 Introduction to Finite Element Analysrs

5. Click on the Run button to start

the FEA Solver to calculate the
results.

study 1 {-Deftsull-)
6. lr the FEA Study window, click once with the
right-mouse-button on the Reszlls item to display
the option list and select List Resonant
Frequencies as shown.

.! Note that the FEA calculated natural frequencies of the refined mesh are almost
the same as the results ofthe original mesh. These results confirmed the original
results are

'I24.61 0.050424
2 780.55 124.?3 0.0080497
3 980.21 157.6 0.0063453
4 2185 0.0028756
5 3383.1 538 44 0.00'18572

Note that comparing these results to the original analysis, page 13-19, showed the
modal frequencies had not changed with the more refined elements, which validates
the perlormed FEA analysis.
Introduction to Finite Element

7. On your own, create and adjust the width

dimension of the rectangle to 1".

Click Exit Sketch to accept the completed

sketch.

9. Set the extrusion distance to 7,77 as shown.

10. Click OK to accept the settings and complete the

feature.
 Dynamic Modal Analysis 13-23

Adding an Additional Mass to the system

1 . Switch to the CAD model by clicking on the
Model tab near the bottom of the graphics
window.

2. In the CommandManager, select the Features tab to

display Lhe leature toolbar.

Click the Extruded Boss/Base icon, in the Features

toolbar, to create a new extruded feature.

4. Select the top surface olthe beam

model to align the sketching p1ane.

5. In the Sketch toolbar, select Rectangle.

6. On your own, create a rectangle with

I I
the top, bottom and right edges
aligned to the corresponding edges of
the solid model as shown.
I
 Dynamic Mo@l Analysis 13-25

I 1 . Switch to the FEA Study by clicking on the Study

1 tab near the bottom of the graphics window.

12. The waming symbol, in front of the mesh

item in the studyl window, indicates the
change in the CAD model has invalidated
the old mesh. Right-mouse-clicfr once on the
Mesh item to disptay the option list and
select Create Mesh as shown.

13. Enter 0.l5inchasthe Global element size.

14. Click on the OK button to accept the Mesh settings.

15. On your own, perform the Modal Analysis.

Note the first natural frequency is calculated as 9.18H2, which is similar to the result
from our preliminary calculation. We will also examine the effect of shifting the
additional mass so it is centered at the right edge of the beam.
16. On your own, modif, the 2D section and update the additional mass as shown.

17. Right-mouse-click once on the Mesh item

to display the option list and select Create
Mesh as shown.
.1. To avoid generating a large number of
elements, we will reset the element size to
0.2.

18. Enter 0.2 irch as the Global element size.

19. Click on the OK button to accept the Mesh settings.

20. Click on the Run bufion to stafi the FEA Solver to calculate
the results.
 21' on your own, perform the Modar Anarysis
and view the resurts.
ru

Study nama Study l

) Note the calculated first natural frequency is

very close to the result of our
preliminary analysis.

One-Dimensional Beam Frequency Analysis

F You are also encouraged to create and compare
FEA modal
--"' anaryses of the straight
beam problem using one-dimen.iorut U.u.
"i"_*tr.
 Introduction to Finite Element

Gonclusions

Finite element analysis has rapidly become a vital tool for design engineers. However,
use ofthis tool does not guarantee corect results. The design engineer
is still responsible
lor doing approximate calculations, using good design p.u"-ti.", ind applying gooa
engineering judgment to the problem. It is hoped that F-EA will supplement
lhIse skills to
ensure that the best design is obtained.

It should be emphasized that, when performing FEA analysis, besides confirming that the
systems remain in the elastic regions for the applied loading, other
considerationi are also
for example, Iarge displacements and buckling ofb.u,,r, which can also
1mp919nt;
invalidate the linear statics analysis results. In performing finite elernent
analysis, it is
also necessary to acquire some knowledge of the theory behind
the method and
understand the restrictions and limitations of the softw;re. There
is no substitution for
experience.

Throughout this text, various basic techniques have been presented.

The goals are to
make use of the tools prov ided by solidllorhs simulation and to successilly
enhance the
DESIGN capabilities. we have gone over the fundamentals of FEA procedures.
In marrf
instances, only a single approach to the sffess analysis tasks was presented;
you are
encouraged to repeat any of the chapters and develop different ways of
thinking in order
to accomplish the goal of making better designs. we have only sciatched the sirface
of
solidworks simulation finctionality. The more time you spend using the system, the
easier it will be to perform Computer Aidecl Engineering with solitrworr<s
simutation.
 Dynamic Modal Analysis 13-29

Questions:
1. What is the main purpose of performing a modal analysis on a system?

2. What are the relations between resonant frequencies and the natural frequencies ofa
system?

3. In vibration analysis, any physical structure can be modeied as a combination of what

objects?

4. A cantilever beam can be modeled as a simple mass-spring system by examining the

deflection at the tip ofthe beam, what is the equivalent spring constant for such a
system?

5. In performing a modal analysis of a cantilever beam, would changing the material

properties affect the natural frequencies of the system?

6. \n SolidWorks Simulation is it required to have a load applied to the system in order

to perform a Modal analysis?

7. ln SolidWorks Simulation can we perform a modal analysis without applying a

constraint?

8. For the cantilever beam with a mass attached at the end, when the attached mass is
relatively big, we can ignore the weight of the beam as a simplified approximation.
Calculate the first natural frequency of the tutorial problem using this approximation
and compare the results obtained.
Exercises:
The first four natural frequencies and mode shapes ofa unifofin cross section beams,

ffi ffi ffi

with different types ofsupports at the ends, are shown in the below table:

Simply suppo.ted
eods

FEed ends

.fl{ r7t ,s la !f

,ffi
F.E6 ends

C = 3.55 €- 942
!t0

Fixed -hinged
C = 7.95

,t: fa * Batur*l frequency in ryel*slsee

,l L-
# *e ccnstant fr*m abeve nbls

1. Determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a simply supported beam.
The beam is made of steel and has the dimensions of 14.5, x 118,, x l', .

2. Determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes ofa fixed-hinged beam. The
beam is made of steel and has the dimensions of 14.5,,x I/8,,x1',.

3. Modal analyses can also be performed using lD beam elements; for the above two
problems perform beam modal analyses and compare the results.