CHAPTER 6: Modal analysis.

The modal analysis approach is the basis of many advanced computer programs for analysing
vibration. In this chapter we will develop this method using some simple two degree of freedom
examples. As matrix methods will be used systems with greater numbers of degrees of freedom
can be treated in the same way. However the maths becomes extensive and computers are
needed to produce solutions.

The concept of modal analysis is used to describe the vibration of a complex system by
superposing modes. Each mode has a natural frequency and an associated mode shape. Each
mode is considered to behave in the same manner as a single (one degree-of-freedom system.
The number of modes will equal the number of degrees-of-freedom of the system. The modal
characteristics can be thought of as building blocks for the calculation of the free vibration and
forced vibration response of the system. As an example consider a two degree-of-freedom
system.

6.1 Modes of transverse vibration of masses attached by tensioned strings.

Figure 6.1 shows two identical masses attached by tensioned strings. The equilibrium distance
between the masses and that between the mass and wall are equal. Modal analysis will be used
to study the transverse vibration of the masses. We first need to determine the mode
characteristics, ie, the natural frequencies and mode shapes.

Figure 6.1 Transverse vibration of two masses connected by strings in tension.

The forces acting on the masses are caused by the transverse components of the tension in the
strings (rubber bends). For small displacements, the component from the first string on the first
mass is,
x1 x
T1 = −To sinθ , where sinθ = . When | x1 |<< a , sinθ ≅ 1 .
a 2 + x2 a
1
T T
Therefore T1 ≅ − o x1 = −Kx1 where K = 0 .
€ a € a
Similarly the transverse force €
€ on the first mass from the middle string is given by,
T2 ≅ K( x 2 − x1 )
€ €

€
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The transverse force on the second mass from the middle string,

T2 ≅ −K( x 2 − x1 )
and from the third string T3 ≅ −Kx 2

Thus the equations of motion€for the two masses are,

€
Mx1 ''= K(x 2 − x1 ) − Kx1 …………………..……………… (6.1)
Mx2 ''= −K(x 2 − x1 ) − Kx 2 ………………………………… (6.2)

€ λt and x 2 = Be λt , (6.1) and (6.2) become:

Assuming x1 = Ae
€
(λ2M + 2K)A − KB = 0 ………………………….………… (6.3)
€ € −KA + (λ2M + 2K)B = 0 ………………………….………… (6.4)
In matrix form, we have
€
€ −λ2M + 2K −K A
   = 0 …………………….………… (6.5)
 −K −λ2M + 2KB

For a non-trivial solution, the determinant of the coefficient matrix in (6.5) must be zero
€
−λ2M + 2K −K 
det  = 0 …………………….………… (6.6)
 −K −λ2M + 2K
That is
(λ2M + 2K) 2 = K 2 ……………….....……..…….………… (6.7)
€
Thus we may obtain the eigenvalues as
€ K 3K
λ2 = − and λ2 = −
M M
so that we have four eigenvalues
K K
λ1 = i and λ 2 = −i ........................................... (6.8)
€ M€ M
3K 3K
λ3 = i and λ 4 = −i ....................................... (6.9)
M M
€ €
The eigenvalues are related to the natural frequencies of the modes by,
€ €
ω i = Im(λ i )

Thus the first two eigenvalues give the first natural frequency as
€ K
ω1 = ............................….......................... (6.10)
M

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€
 and the last two eigenvalues give the second natural frequency as

3K
ω2 = ..........................….…....................... (6.11)
M

For each eigenvalue, the solutions for the values of A and B can be obtained from (6.5) as
€ For example for λ = λ1 and λ = λ 2 ; A = B and for λ = λ 3 and
corresponding eigenvectors.
λ = λ 4 ; A = −B
We then have the solutions corresponding to € €
λ1 = iω1 € € € €
€ € x11  A11 +iω t
  =  e 1 , where A11 = B11
x 21 B11 
€ λ 2 = −iω1
x12  A12  −iω t
 = e €1 , where A12 = B12
€ x 22  B12 
€ λ 3 = iω 2
x13  A21 +iω t
 = e 2€ , where A21 = −B21
€ x 23 B21 
€ λ 4 = −iω 2
x14  A22  −iω t
2 , where A
 = e € 22 = −B22 .
€ x 24  B22 
€
1 1
We now define the first two solutions A11e+iω € 1t   , A12e−iω1t   as the first mode of the two
€ 1 1
K
degree-of-freedom system with a natural frequency ω1 = . The shape of this first mode is
M
1 €
represented by   , which indicates that both€masses move with the same amplitude and phase.
1
€
1 1
The second group of solutions is defined as the second mode A21e iω 2 t   , A22e−iω 2 t  
€ −1 −1
3K  1 
with a natural frequency ω 2 = . The corresponding mode shape is   indicating that the
M −1
€ phase. The two
two masses move in the same amplitude but opposite € mode shapes of the
system are shown in figure 6.2.
€ €
Finally, the free vibration solution of (6.1) and (6.2) is the superposition of all the possible
solutions:

 x1 (t) +iω t −iω t 1 +iω t −iω t  1 

  = [A11e 1 + A12e 1 ]  + [A21e 2 + A22e 2 ]  ....………..... (6.12)
x 2 (t) 1 −1

€
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where the four coefficients are determined by the four initial conditions given by,

x1(0) = x10 , x1'(0) = v10 , ………………………….………… (6.13)

x 2 (0) = x 20 , x 2 '(0) = v 20 , ……………………………..……. (6.14)

€ €
€ €

First mode.

Second mode
Figure 6.2 Mode shapes.

Equation (6.12) can be converted to a form involving sines and cosines as follows.

 x1 (t)  (A11 + A12 ) +iω t 1

 =
x 2 (t)  2
( (A − A12 ) +iω1t −iω1t
)
e 1 + e−iω1t + 11
2
e −e ( )1
(A + A22 ) +iω 2 t (A − A22 ) +iω 2 t −iω 2 t  1 
+  21
 2
e ( + e−iω 2 t + 21)2
e −e ( ) −1
 
so that
 x1 (t) 1 1
  = [a11 cosω1t + b11 sinω1t ]  + [a12 cosω1t + b12 sinω1t ] 
€ x 2 (t) 1 −1

6.2 Matrix expression of system equations

The€above analysis can be simplified using matrix representations of the system displacements
and equation of motion. Equations (6.5) and (6.6) written in matrix form are,

M 0  ˙x˙1(t) 2K −K x1 (t)

  +    = 0 ................................. (6.15)
 0 M˙x˙ 2 (t) −K 2Kx 2 (t)

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 We define a displacement vector
 x (t)
{x(t)} =  1  ..........................…….................. (6.16)
x 2 (t)
and mass and stiffness matrices

€ M 0  2K −K
[M] =   , [K] =   ..................................... (6.17)
 0 M −K 2K

Then the equation of motion is expressed as,

€ €
[M]{x''} + [K]{x} = {0} .......................................... (6.18)

It is necessary to note that the method presented below is not limited to the vibration system
€ long as the equations of motion of the system can be written in the
described in figure 6.1. As
form of equation (6.18) and the mass and stiffness matrices satisfy some conditions, the system
response can then be solved by using the method.

We can assume the following general solutions for (6.18):

{x} = {u}e λt ....................…............................ (6.19)

Substituting (6.19) into (6.18) we obtain we obtain the characteristic or eigenvalue equation of
the system: €
([K] + λ2 [M]){u} = 0 .......................................... (6.20)
and the solution of
det([K] + λ2 [M]) = 0 ......................…................ (6.21)
€
gives rise to four eigenvalues λ i , i=1, 2, 3, 4 and their corresponding eigenvectors {u i} . The
€ to the first natural frequency by ω i = Im(λ i ) and the last two
first two eigenvalue are related
eigenvalues are related in the same way to the second natural frequency.
€ €
€ equation if [M] is not singular:
Equation (6.19) can be converted into a standard eigenvalue

([M]−1[K] − λ2 [I]){u} = 0 ........................................ (2.22)

€
where [M]−1 is the inverse of the mass matrix and [I] is the identity matrix.
€
The eigenvectors of the system have the orthogonal property if the system mass and stiffness
€ matrices are symmetrical so that €

[M]T = [M] and [K]T = [K] ......................................... (6.23)

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€ €
where the superscript T represents a matrix transpose. For example, these requirements are
satisfied for the matrices in (6.17). This orthogonal property of eigenvectors can be illustrated
by the following consideration. For the ith eigenvalue λ = λ i , equation (6.19) may be
expressed as€
[K]{u i} = λ2i [M]{u i} ................................................ (6.24)
€ €
and for the jth eigenvalue, we have
€
([K]{u j}) T = (λ2j[M]{u j}) T .........………....................... (6.25)
€
Multiplying {u j}T on both sides of (6.24), and {u i} on the both sides of (6.25), we obtain
respectively: €
{u j}T [K]{u i} = λ2i {u j}T [M]{u i} ..............…...................... (6.26)
€
and€
{u j}T [K]T {u i} = λ2j{u j}T [M]T {u i} .............…..................... (6.27)
€
Subtracting (6.26) - (6.27) gives
€
(λ2i − λ2j ){u j}T [M]{u i} = 0 ........................................... (6.28)

where we have used the symmetrical properties of the system matrices. If λ i ≠ λ j for i ≠ j , we
obtain the orthogonal€relationship of the eigenvectors as,

 0 i≠€ j €
{u j}T [M]{u i} =  T ................................ (6.29)
{u i} [M]{u i} = M i i = j
where
M i = {u i}T [M]{u i} ..................…………................. (6.30)
€ the modal mass.
is defined as

€
6.3 Steady state response
The steady state response of the system vibration refers to the system displacements {x} due to
a steady state force excitation. Free vibration may coexist with the steady state response initially,
but it will die out due to the system damping present in all real systems.
€
When external harmonic forces are applied to the masses, the matrix equation becomes:

[M]{˙x˙} + [K]{x} = {F}e iωt .................……................... (6.31)

€
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 F 
where {F} =  1  is the force vector.
F2 

As the response has the same time dependent term as that of the exciting force, the assumed
€ solution may take the following form:

2
{x} = ∑ q i{u i}e iωt ...................……........................ (6.32)
i=1

Substituting equation (6.32) into equation (6.31), we have

€
2
∑ qi(ω 2i − ω 2 )[M]{ui} = {F} .......................................... (6.33)
i=1

Multiplying {u i}T on the both sides of Equation (6.33), and using the orthogonal properties of
the eigenvectors, we€obtain
{u i}T {F}
qi = .......................…......................... (6.34)
€ M i (ω 2i − ω 2 )

Therefore, the steady state response is

2
€ {u i}T {F}{u i} iωt
{x} = ∑ 2 2
e .................……...................... (6.35)
M
i=1 i i(ω − ω )

6.4 Free vibration

The free vibration€results from the initial disturbance and/or initial conditions described by
equations (6.13) and (6.14). These initial conditions may also be expressed as vectors:

x  v 
{x(0)} =  10  and {x'(0)} =  10  ........................................ (6.36)
x 20  v 20 

The assumed vibration can be expressed in terms of eigenvectors:

€ €
2
{x} = ∑ q i (t){u i} ........................……........................ (6.37)
i=1

where q i (t) is the coefficient of the ith mode. By submitting this assumed solution into the
€
matrix equation, we have
2

€ ∑€{qi ''[M]{ui} + qi[K]{ui}} = {0} ...............….................... (6.38)

i=1

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 Using the eigenvalue equation and λ2i = −ω 2i

[K]{u i} = λ2i [M]{u i} = ω 2i [M]{u i} ............…….................. (6.39)

€
and the orthogonal property of the eigenvectors we obtain the following modal equations (one
€ equivalent):
degree-of-freedom
q i ''+ω 2i q i = 0 , i = 1,2 ...............…........................... (6.40)

with a general solution of

€ q i (t) = A€i1e iω i t + Ai2e−iω i t ..................…................... (6.41)

The modal equation has the same form as that of a single degree-of-freedom system. It
€
describes the time function of the modal components. As a result, the system displacement
vector is
2
{x} = ∑ (Ai1e iω i t + Ai2e−iω i t ){u i} ..................…….......... (6.42)
i=1

where Ai1 and Ai2 are determined from the initial conditions (6.36):
€
2
{x(0)} = ∑ (Ai1 + Ai2 ){u i} ....................….................... (6.43)
€ €
i=1

2
{˙x(0)} = ∑ iω i (Ai1 − Ai2 ){u i} ...................…................. (6.44)
€
i=1

Multiplying by {u j}T [M] on both sides of Equations (6.43) and (6.44), we have for i = 1,2
€
{u i}T [M]{x(0)} .....................…................... (6.45)
Ai1 + Ai2 =
€ Mi €

{u i}T [M]{x'(0)} ..................…...................... (6.46)

Ai1 − Ai2 =
€ iω iM i

so that adding and€subtracting (6.45) and (6.46) gives

1 {u i}T [M]{x(0)} {u i}T [M]{x'(0)} .............................. (6.47)

Ai1 =  + 
2  Mi iω iM i 

€
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 1 {u }T [M]{x(0)} {u i}T [M]{x'(0)} ............................. (6.48)
Ai2 =  i − 
2  Mi iω iM i 

The method of modal analysis developed in sections 6.3 and 6.4 will be applied to the vibration
behaviour €
of the two degree-of-freedom system shown in figure 6.1.

6.5 Example: steady state response of a two degree-of-freedom mass-string system.

For this example let both masses be 1kg and the tension and length of string be such that
T
K = 0 = 1 N/m. The system mass and stiffness matrices are then
a

M 0  1 0
[M] =  =  ..........……………….............. (6.49)
€  0 M 0 1

2K −K  2 −1

[K] =  =  .............…………................ (6.50)
€ −K 2K −1 2 

Let the force vector applied to the system be

€ F 
{F} =  1  ............……………..……................. (6.51)
F2 

This allows us to subsequently obtain the response to F1 alone by putting F2 =0. However it
€
will also allow the response resulting from F2 alone to be found by putting F1 = 0.

The displacement vector due to the steady state excitation of this force vector at a frequency ω
can be calculated from (6.35). First the natural frequencies are obtained from the eigenvalue
equation of the system:
([K] + λ2 [M]){u} = 0 .............................................. (6.20)
These are given by
det([K] + λ2 [M]) = 0 ......................……................ (6.21)
€
For complex systems a computer would be used to produce a solution but for this two degree-
€ solve long hand as follows.
of-freedom system we may

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  2 −1 2 1 0
det + λ   = 0
−1 2  0 1

2 + λ2 −1
=0
€ −1 2 + λ2

(2 + λ2 ) 2 − (−1) 2 = 0
€ λ2 + 4λ + 3 = 0
Thus
λ1€= i1.0 λ 2 = −i1.0 λ 3 = i3.0 λ 4 = −i3.0
so that €
ω1 = Im(λ1 ) = 1.0 rad/s ......…………….................... (6.52)
€ € € €
ω 2 = Im(λ 3 ) = 3.0 rad/s ......…………….................... (6.53)
€
The corresponding eigenvectors are found from equation (6.20). Thus for ω1 = 1.0,
λ2 = −ω12 = −1.0 so that
€ equation (6.20) gives

 2 −1 1 0 €
  −1.0 {u} = 0
€ −1 2  0 1
 1 −1
 {u} = 0
−1 1 
€
0.7071
{u1} =   ............………..…................. (6.54)
€ 0.7071
(The eigenvectors have been normalized by making that the sum of the squares of the elements
equal to one.)
€
and for ω 2 = 3.0, λ2 = −ω 22 = −3.0 equation (6.20) gives

 2 −1 1 0
  − 3.0 {u} = 0
€ € −1 2  0 1
−1 −1
 {u} = 0
−1 −1
€
−0.7071
{u 2 } =   ............………..…................. (6.55)
€  0.7071 
It has been shown that
2
{u i}T {F}{u i} iωt
{x} = ∑ 2 2
e ....................................... (6.35)
€
i=1 M i (ω i − ω )

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€
 where
M i = {u i}T [M]{u i} ..................……................. (6.30)

Using the values in equations (6.52 – 6.55)

€

T 0.7071T 1 0 0.7071 0.7071

M1 = {u1} [M]{u1} =      = [0.7071 0.7071]   = 1.0
0.7071 0 1 0.7071 0.7071

T −0.7071T 1 0 −0.7071 −0.7071

€ M 2 = {u 2 } [M]{u 2 } ==      = [−0.7071 0.7071]   = 1.0
 0.7071  0 1  0.7071   0.7071 

Now substituting in equation (6.35)

2
€ {u i}T {F}{u i} iωt
{x} = ∑ 2 2
e
i=1 M i (ω i − ω )

{u1}T {F}{u1} iωt {u 2 }T {F}{u 2 } iωt

{x} =
€ e + e
M1 (ω12 − ω 2 ) M 2 (ω 22 − ω 2 )

and using the values obtained above

€
0.7071T F1  0.7071 −0.7071T F1  −0.7071
         
0.7071 F2  0.7071 iωt  0.7071  F2   0.7071  iωt
{x} = e + e
1.0(ω12 − ω 2 ) 1.0(ω 22 − ω 2 )

0.5F1 + 0.5F2   0.5F1 − 0.5F2 

€    
0.5F1 + 0.5F2  iωt −0.5F1 + 0.5F2 iωt
{x} = e + e
(ω12 − ω 2 ) (ω 22 − ω 2 )

Thus for F2 = 0
0.5F1  0.5F1 
€    
0.5F1 −0.5F1
{x} = e iωt + e iωt
(ω12 −ω ) 2
(ω 22 2
−ω )

Since
 x  X 
€ {x} =  1  =  1 e iωt
x 2  X 2 
it follows
0.5F1  0.5F1 
€  X1     
0.5F1 −0.5F1
 = 2 +
X 2  (ω1 − ω 2 ) (ω 22 − ω 2 )

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€
and hence
X1 0.5 0.5 X 0.5 0.5
= 2 2
+ 2 2
and 2 = 2 − 2
F1 (ω1 − ω ) (ω 2 − ω ) F1 (ω1 − ω ) (ω 2 − ω 2 )
2

These responses are shown in figure 6.3.

If the€excitation was on mass 2 then F1 = 0 and

0.5F2 −0.5F2
   
0.5F2 iωt  0.5F2  iωt
{x} = 2 e + 2 e
(ω1 − ω 2 ) (ω 2 − ω 2 )

and hence
X1 0.5 0.5 X 0.5 0.5
= 2 2
− 2 2
and 2 = 2 + 2
F2€ (ω1 − ω ) (ω 2 − ω ) F2 (ω1 − ω ) (ω 2 − ω 2 )
2

which is to be expected from symmetry as both masses are the same.

Figure 6.3 Response resulting from excitation on mass 1.

6.6 Damped vibration using modal analysis

We have shown modes to be orthogonal for undamped vibrating systems. It is now appropriate
to consider the effects of damping. For modal analysis, the system eigenvalue equation needs to
be transformed into the standard form.
([A] + λ[B]){u} = 0 .............................................. (6.56)

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€
We shall investigate the damped axial system considered in chapter 2 so that comparisons can
be made with the exact solution. The equations of motion are,

mx1' ' = − k1x1 + k2 (x2 − x1 ) − c1x1' +c 2 (x2 ' − x1' )

mx 2' ' = − k2 (x2 − x1 ) − c 2 (x2 ' − x1' )

These equations may be written in matrix form as,

[M]{˙x˙} + [C]{˙x} + [K]{x} = 0 ......…............ (6.57)

In order to have this equation in the form of equation (6.56) above we

introduce a€velocity vector
{x'} = {y} ...........…........…........... (6.58)
Multiplying (6.57) by [M]−1

€ + [M]−1[C]{x'} + [M]−1[K]{x} = 0
{x''}
€
and substituting from (6.58)
€
{y'} + [M]−1[C]{y} + [M]−1[K]{x} = 0 ................ (6.59)
we may write equations (6.58) and (6.59) as a single matrix equation

€ {x'}  [0] −[I] {x}

  +  −1 −1   = 0 ..............…........... (6.60)
{y'} [M] [K] [M] [C]{y}
Assuming
 ~ 
{x} {u} λt
€   =  ~ e
{y} {v} ...........……………...…........... (6.61)
 
we obtain the following standard eigenvalue equation:
 ~ 
 [0] −[I]  {u}
€
 −1 −1  + λ[I] ~  = 0 ................…........... (6.62)
[M] [K] [M] [C] {v}
 

 [0] −[I] 
In equation (6.62), the matrix  −1 −1  is not symmetrical. Therefore the
€ [M] [K] [M] [C]
eigenvalues are complex and their eigenvectors are not orthogonal. The imaginary and real parts
of each complex eigenvalue are related to the damped natural frequency and modal damping
€ damped mode. The solution of l results in a pair of complex
ratio of the corresponding
conjugates,
λ(1,2)
i = −ξ iω i ± iω i 1− ξ 2i ......……………........…........... (6.63)

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  ~ 
{u}
 
Its corresponding eigenvector {v~} represents the mode shape.
 

As an example take m1 = m2 = 1 kg; k1 = k 2 = 1 N /m; c1 = c 2 = 0.08 Ns /m. The four

€to be,
eigenvalues are found

€ € + i0.6178
λ1 = −0.0153 λ 2€= −0.0153 − i0.6178
λ 3 = −0.1047 + i1.6146 λ 3 = −0.1047 + i1.6146

The first two€eigenvalues belong to the €

first mode of the system, and the last two eigenvalues to
€
the second mode. €

Thus for the first mode,

ω1 = ω n1 1− ξ12 = 0.6178 rad /s and ξ1ω1 = 0.01528 rad /s
and hence from these values ω n1 = 0.618 rad /s and ξ1 = 0.02472
and for the second mode,
€ ω 2 = ω n2 1− ξ 22 = 1.615 rad€/s and ξ 2ω 2 = 0.1047 rad /s
€ values ω = 1.618 rad € /s and ξ = 0.06472
and hence from these n2 2

€
These values € compare well with the values calculated from
of the undamped natural frequencies
an undamped model. € €
ω n1 = 0.618 rad /s and ω n2 = 1.618 rad /s

Using the program the system parameters may be changed and the effect on the eigenvalues and
undamped natural
€ frequencies investigated.
€ It will be found that for large values of damping the
agreement is not so good.

A good estimate of the response of the damped vibration system is to use the modal
characteristics of the corresponding undamped system and introduce the modal damping
obtained from equation (6.63) into the modal equation. For this case, the orthogonal properties
of the eigenvectors of the undamped system can be used to determine an estimate of the
displacement vector using
2
{x(t)} = ∑ q i (t){u i} ..............………………........... (6.64)
i=1
Substituting (6.64) into (6.57), and using the orthogonal properties of the eigenvectors, we
obtain the damped modal equations:
€

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 {u i}T {f}
q˙˙ i + 2ξ iω iq˙ i + ω 2i q i = for i = 1,2 ............…........... (6.65)
Mi
where ξ i is the damping ratio of the ith mode obtained from (6.63).
Therefore, for steady state vibration {f} = {F}e jωt , €the displacement vector of the damped
€ as
system is obtained
€ 2
€ {u i}T {F}{u i}
{x(t)} = ∑ 2 2
e jωt ..............…............. (6.66)
€
i=1 M i (ω i + j2ξ iω iω − ω )
Equation (6.66) is used for the steady state displacement response. The modal damping terms
are obtained from the eigenvalues of the damped system:
€ ξ1ω1 = 0.0153 (and hence ξ1 = 0.02472)
ξ 2ω 2 = 0.1047 (and hence ξ 2 = 0.06472)
Figure 6.4 shows the forced displacement response of the damped system obtained using
€ results are compared with
modal analysis. The € an exact solution.
€ €

Figure 6,4 Comparison of modal analysis response with the exact solution

If the program is used it will be found that the agreement is not always as good, especially if one
of the damping values is increased significantly.

6.7 Modal analysis of real systems

In practice it is often the case that the location and magnitude of the damping in a structure is
not well defined. As a result it is not possible to have a model of an engineering structure with
the damping represented accurately. It is a common practice to conduct an undamped analysis
as the mass and stiffness matrices, that are much more amenable to modeling accurately. Then a
modal damping is assumed for each mode. The values of such damping are either known from
experience or can be estimated from a measured response on a real structure. As an example of
how this is achieved we will consider a two degree-of-freedom system with viscous damping.

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An exact solution will be calculated and plotted. Then the modal damping for each mode will be
determined using the "Q" factor for each resonance. In chapter 1 the dynamic magnification
factor (Q) was introduced for a one degree-of-freedom system.

1 Δω
= = 2ξ ......................................................... (1.32)
Q ωr

where ωr is the resonant frequency and Δω is the frequency bandwidth at the 3dB point, ie, at
the maximum response/√2. € Thus from a resonance it is possible to estimate the damping for
the mode. It is found for a one degree-of-freedom system that this method is very accurate for
low (and realistic) levels of damping. If the program is run it will become apparent when the
estimate of damping becomes inaccurate.

Figure 6.5 Q factor estimate from resonant curve

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Consider first the two degree-of-freedom system with viscous
damping shown in figure 6.6. It is possible to calculate the
exact response for x1/F1. It is also possible to calculate the
undamped natural frequencies and mode shapes. If a Q factor
is estimated for each mode from the exact response then it is
possible to determine Xiw1 for each mode. An estimate of the
response can then be made using equation (6.67) ie, by modal
superposition.

As an example and using more realistic values for k1 and k2

the accuracy of such modelling can be seen in figure 6.7. It is
evident that good agreement can be achieved and this is
Figure 6.6
generally the case if the damping is low as it is in most
engineering structures.

Figure 6.7 Response using modal analysis and damping determined from Q factors.

6.8 Transient Vibration

The transient vibration of a damped system may also be considered by modal superposition.
For free vibration there is no excitation so that,

[M]{x''} + [C]{x'} + [K]{x} = {0} .............…..….…........... (6.67)

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€
 if the initial conditions are:
{x(0)} = {x 0 } and {x'(0)} = {v 0 } ..............……..…........... (6.68)

then by describing the transient displacement vector by the system of undamped modes:
€ €
2
{x} = ∑ q i (t){u i} .........……………….......…........... (6.69)
i=1
substituting from (6.69) in (6.67) gives rise to a damped modal equation

2 €
∑[qi ''[M]{ui} + qi '[C]{ui} + qi[K]{ui}] = {0}.........……….…........... (6.70)
i=1
From the eigenvalue equation,

€ [K]{u i} = λ i[M]{u i} = ω 2i [M]{u i} .........……………........... (6. 41)

substituting in (6.70)
2

€ ∑[qi ''[M]{ui} + qi '[C]{ui} + qiω 2i [M]{ui}] = {0}

i=1

so that, if the orthogonal property of the eigenvectors holds,

€
q i ''+2ξ iω iq i '+ω 2i q i = 0 , i = 1,2 .............…........... (6.71)

where the modal damping terms 2ξ iω i are obtained from the eigenvalues of the eigenvalue
equation of the damped € the use of the modal damping in the
€ system. It should be noted that
modal analysis of the transient vibration is an approximation. In this approximation, we have
assumed that: €
2ξ ω M i = j
{u j}T [C]{u i} =  i i i ..........……......…........... (6.72)
 0 i≠ j

Equation (6.72) is exact only for the special case where [C] is a linear combination of the [M]
and [K] matrices. €

Using the result obtained from the vibration € € system, we

analysis of a one degree-of-freedom
€ have,
iω i 1−ξ 2i t −iω i 1−ξ 2i t
q i (t) = e−ξ i ω i t (Ai1e + Ai2e ), i = 1,2 ................…........... (6.73)

The coefficients are obtained from the initial conditions. Using the orthogonal properties of the
€
eigenvectors, we have €
{u i}T [M]{x 0 }
= Ai1 + Ai2 ............………....…........... (6.74)
Mi

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€
 and
{u i}T [M]{v 0 }
= (−ξ iω i + iω i 1− ξ 2i )Ai1 + (−ξ iω i − iω i 1− ξ 2i )Ai2 ................... (6.75)
Mi
which give
v + (ξ iω i + iω i 1− ξ 2i )x 0i
€ Ai1 = 0i ...........…….....…........... (6.76)
i2ω i 1− ξ 2i
and
v 0i + (ξ iω i − iω i 1− ξ 2i )x 0i
€ Ai2 = − .............…...…........... (6.77)
i2ω i 1− ξ 2i
where
{u i}T [M]{x 0}
x 0i = .............…………..…........... (6.78)
€ Mi
and
{u i}T [M]{v 0}
v 0i = .............…………..…........... (6.79)
€ Mi

Substituting (6.73) in (6.69), the system transient response is expressed as,

€
2
−ξ i ω i t iω i 1−ξ 2i t −iω i 1−ξ 2i t
{x} = ∑ e (Ai1e + Ai2e ){u i}
i=1
2
= ∑ Ami cos(ω dit − ϕ i ){u i} ................……............. (6.80)
i=1
€
where
2
 v + ξ iω ix 0i 
€ Ami = x 20i +  0i  e−ξ i ω i t ................…........... (6.81)
 ω di 
and
v + ξ iω ix 0i
ϕ i = tan−1 0i ..............……….…........... (6.82)
€ ω dix 0i
and the damped natural frequency is
ω di = ω i 1− ξ 2i ..............………….…........... (6.83)
€

It is shown that the transient response of the system due to initial conditions is contributed by
€ modes at their own damped natural frequencies and modal
the superposition of two decaying
damping ratios. Figure 6.7 shows the free vibration of the damped system considered
previously for which m1 = m2 = 1 kg; k1 = k 2 = 1 N /m; c1 = c 2 = 0.08 Ns /m. The initial
conditions of the two masses are:

€ € 0.001 € 0.01
{x 0 } =   , {v 0 } =  .
 0   0 

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 Note that the modal
contributions to X 2 are not
shown as they are simply
scaled versions of those for
€ ratio of X1 to X 2
X1 . The
for the first mode being the
first mode shape and
€ similarly € for €the second
mode.

Figure 6.7 Displacement response of a two degree-of-freedom system due to initial conditions.

The program may be used to investigate different systems and the effect of different initial
conditions on the transient response. In general one mode will have a larger damping ratio and
dies out more rapidly. The displacements are then dominated by the mode with smaller
damping ratio.

It will be found that as with steady state excitation the modal analysis method is very accurate
except when the levels of damping are large.

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6.9 Conclusions
All the examples in this chapter have been of systems with two degrees-of-freedom. At times
the maths was extensive and computer programs needed to find solutions. However, as the
equations were presented in matrix form they still hold for systems with more degrees-of-
freedom. For example the mass matrix [M] was a 2 x 2 diagonal matrix but could easily have
been a 10 x 10 diagonal matrix for a system with 10 degrees-of-freedom. When computers are
used the matrix equations are the same as presented in this chapter but just of higher order.
€
The modal analysis approach that has presented has been shown to be accurate when the levels
of damping are small, which is the case in most real structures. Thus undamped models are
used to find the natural frequencies and mode shapes and then measured (or known from
experience) modal damping is applied and the modes summed.

We have so far considered only discrete systems made up of discrete masses, springs and
dampers. Many real systems are better modeled as continuous systems and that is the topic of
the next chapter.

_____________________________________________________

Next chapter

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