Modal testing: Difference between revisions

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'''Modal testing''' is the form of [[vibration|vibration testing ]] of an object whereby the natural (modal) frequencies, modal masses, modal damping ratios and mode shapes of the object under test are determined.

'''Modal testing''' is the form of [[vibration|vibration testing ]] of an object whereby the natural (modal) frequencies,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-19 |title=Vibration Tests for Moon Rocket Help Ensure Safe Travels on Road to Space - NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/orion/vibration-tests-for-moon-rocket-help-ensure-safe-travels-on-road-to-space/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |language=en-US}}</ref> modal masses, modal damping ratios and mode shapes of the object under test are determined.

A modal test consists of an acquisition phase and an analysis phase. The complete process is often referred to as a [[Modal Analysis]] or Experimental Modal Analysis.

== Phases ==

There are several ways to do modal testing but impact hammer testing and shaker (vibration tester) testing are commonplace. In both cases [[energy]] is supplied to the system with a known frequency content. Where structural resonances occur there will be an [[Amplifier|amplification]] of the response, clearly seen in the response spectra. Using the response spectra and force spectra, a [[transfer function]] can be obtained. The transfer function (or [[frequency response function]] (FRF)) is often [[curve fitting|curve fitted]] to estimate the modal parameters; however, there are many methods of modal [[Estimation theory|parameter estimation]] and it is the topic of much research.

A modal test consists of an acquisition phase and an analysis phase. The complete process is often referred to as a [[Modal Analysis]]<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shen |first=Longjiang |last2=He |first2=Shizhong |date=2024-09-14 |title=Modal analysis and frequency matching study of subway bogie frame under ambient excitation |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-72146-z |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=21484 |doi=10.1038/s41598-024-72146-z |issn=2045-2322|pmc=11401909 }}</ref> or Experimental Modal Analysis.

== Methods ==

[[File:Vibration testing.svg|thumb|upright=3|Key components for performing experimental modal analysis.]]

There are several ways to do modal testing but impactImpact hammer testing and shaker (vibration tester) testing are commonplace. In both cases [[energy]] is supplied to the system with a known frequency content. Where structuralStructural resonances occur there will be an [[Amplifier|amplification]] ofamplify the response, clearly seen in the response spectra. Using the response spectra and force spectra, a [[transfer function]] can be obtained. The transfer function (or [[frequency response function]] (FRF)) is often [[curve fitting|curve -fitted]] to estimate the modal parameters; however, there are manyother methods of modal [[Estimation theory|parameter estimation]] are available and it is the topic of much research.[[File:Vibration testing.svg|thumb|Key components for performing experimental modal analysis.|center|636x636px]]

== Impact Hammer Modal Testing ==

=== Impact hammer testing ===

An ideal impact to a structure is a perfect impulse, which has an infinitely small duration, causing a constant amplitude in the frequency ___domain; this would result in all [[modes of vibration]] being excited with equal energy. The impact hammer test is designed to replicate this; however, in reality a hammer strike cannot last for an infinitely small duration, but has a known contact time. The duration of the contact time directly influences the frequency content of the [[force]], with a larger contact time causing a smaller range of bandwidth. A [[load cell]] is attached to the end of the hammer to record the force. Impact hammer testing is ideal for small light weight structures; however as the size of the structure increases issues can occur due to a poor [[signal to noise ratio]]. This is common on large [[civil engineering]] structures.

[[File:Modal hammer.jpg|thumb|Modal impact hammer with interchangeable tips and accompanying temporal and frequency responses]]

An ideal impact to a structure is a perfect impulse, which has anof infinitely small duration, causingwhich causes a constant amplitude in the frequency ___domain; this would result inexcite all [[modes of vibration]] being excited with equal energy. The impact hammer test is designed to replicate this; however, in reality a hammer strike cannot last forachieve an infinitely small duration, but has a known contact time. The duration of the contact time directly influences the frequency content of the [[force]], with a larger contact time causing a smaller range ofreducing bandwidth. A [[load cell]] is attached to the end of the hammer to record the force. Impact hammer testing is ideal for small, light weightlightweight structures;. howeverHowever, as the size of the structure increases, issues can occur due to a poor [[signal -to -noise ratio]]., Thiswhich is common on large [[civil engineering]] structures.

== Shaker Modal Testing ==

=== Shaker Modalmodal Testingtesting ===

A shaker is a device that excites the object or structure according to its amplified input signal. Several input signals are available for modal testing, but the sine sweep and random frequency vibration profiles are by far the most commonly used signalscommon.

Small objects or structures can beare attached directly to the [[Simulation table|shaker table]]. With some types of shakers, an armature is often attached to the body to be tested by way of [[piano wire]] (pulling force) or stinger (Pushingpushing force). When the signal is transmitted through the piano wire or the stinger, the object responds the same way as impact testing, by attenuating some and amplifying certain frequencies. These frequencies are measured as modal frequencies. Usually a load cell is placed between the shaker and the structure to obtaincreate the excitation force.

For large civil engineering structures much larger shakers are used, which can weighhave a mass of 100&nbsp;[[kg]] and above, and are able to apply a force of many hundreds of [[newtons]]. Several types of shakers are common:

* rotating mass shakers, electro-dynamic
* electrodynamic shakers, and
* electrohydraulic shakers.

For rotating mass shakers, the force can be calculated fromby knowing the mass and the speed of rotation;, while for theelectrodynamic electro-dynamic shakershakers, the force can be obtained through a load cell, or an accelerometer placed on the moving mass of the shaker. Shakers can have an advantage over the impact hammer as they can supply more energy to a structure over a longer period of timeinterval. However, problems can also be introduced; shakers can influence the dynamic properties of the structure and can also increase the complexity of analysis due to [[window function|windowing]] errors.

==See also==