Report 10: PIA

Alumnus: Andrés Molina Correa Matriculate: 1943588

Introduction

Modal analysis is a fundamental tool in structural engineering that allows for understanding and predicting the dynamic
behavior of mechanical systems and structures. In the context of aeronautical and aerospace engineering, modal
analysis plays a crucial role in the design, development, and maintenance of aircraft and spacecraft. This report will
explore some of the most novel and relevant applications of modal analysis in these fields.

Theoretical framework
Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) has evolved into a significant technology for exploring structural dynamics over
the past few decades. By employing EMA, intricate structural phenomena in dynamics can be represented through
decoupled modes comprising natural frequency, damping, and mode shapes. The amalgamation of these modal
parameters is termed the Modal Model. EMA is commonly known as Modal Analysis. The study of structural
vibration is crucial for dynamic testing and analysis across various domains. Whether dealing with a high-speed
rotating turbine blade or a bridge enduring traffic impact, Modal Analysis offers valuable insights.
A comprehensive Modal Analysis involves both data acquisition and subsequent parameter identification. Since its
inception, Modal Analysis has found extensive application in mechanical and structural engineering for design,
optimization, and validation purposes. It has gained widespread acceptance in industries like automotive, civil
engineering, aerospace, power generation, and musical instruments.

Modal analysis results are utilized for a multitude of applications across diverse industries. This discussion will focus
on prevalent applications conducted by engineering in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and more.

Experimental Modal Analysis yields the modal model of a tested structure, explicitly depicting its dynamic
characteristics in a decoupled manner. Applications of modal analysis are closely tied to utilizing this derived modal
model in design, problem-solving, and analysis.
1. Troubleshooting:
The modal model derived from Experimental Modal Analysis aids in troubleshooting problematic dynamic structures.
This application relies on experimentally obtained natural frequencies, damping factors, and mode shapes, offering a
fundamental understanding of structural characteristics and identifying root causes of dynamic issues.
2. Correlation Analysis with Finite Element Analysis:
Structural dynamics applications often require an accurate mathematical model derived from finite element analysis
(FEA). Modal Analysis facilitates the correlation of experimentally derived modal models with FEA models,
correcting any discrepancies that may arise.
3. Structural Dynamic Modification:
Modal Analysis allows for simulation and prediction of the effects of changes in mass, stiffness, or damping on a
dynamic structure. This aids in optimizing the dynamic characteristics of a design during the early stages or improving
the dynamic behavior of a structure after deriving its modal model from a prototype.
4. Reduction of FEA Model:
In FEA modeling, a highly reduced mathematical model is often preferred when focusing on the low-frequency range
dynamic behavior of a structure. Modal models derived from Experimental Modal Analysis play a crucial role in
model reduction or result evaluation.
5. Forced Response Prediction:
Modal Analysis enables the prediction of vibration responses to a given force, allowing for the computation of
structural dynamic responses to defined force inputs. This application is valuable for studying structural integrity in a
known dynamic environment.
6. Force Identification:
Force identification involves determining applied forces from system response measurements, assuming the modal
model is known. This application is significant for identifying forces inducing severe vibrations that could lead to
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structural failure.

7. Sub-structural Coupling:
Sub-structural coupling predicts the dynamic behavior of a whole structure based on the behavior of its components.
This application is useful for breaking down complex dynamic problems into manageable parts and is often based on
modal parameters from components or sub-structures.
8. Active Vibration Control:
Experimental Modal Analysis is crucial for active vibration control, especially in structures like tall buildings under
wind loading. Combining an accurate modal model with filtering techniques allows the development of feedback
control loops to bring selected vibration modes under control.

Modal Analysis has been extensively applied in aerospace, automotive, and mechanical engineering. In automotive
engineering, it aids in redesigning vehicles for optimal dynamic properties and plays a crucial role in studying vehicle
noise and vibration harshness (NVH). In aerospace, Modal Analysis verifies mathematical models for aircraft and
spacecraft structures, addressing challenges such as damping properties and nonlinearities. Modal testing is also
employed in civil engineering for the dynamic analysis of structures under seismic and wind loading, with applications
ranging from tall buildings to bridges.

The application scope of Modal Analysis is expected to expand further in the coming years, driven by advancements
in experimental technology. The interdisciplinary applications of Modal Analysis continue to grow, with its
effectiveness demonstrated across various engineering fields, including acoustics and musical instruments. Acoustic
modal analysis, for instance, provides essential insights into the design of speaker systems, while experimental modal
analysis contributes to the scientific evaluation and improvement of musical instruments.

Examples of applicated cases of modal analysis:

Ground Vibration Testing of a Flexible Wing:

A Benchmark and Case Study
This report focuses on the investigation of beam-like flexible structures, with a specific emphasis on their application
in aeronautics, where wings are commonly conceptualized in such a manner. The study employs experimental modal
analysis to characterize the dynamic response of a flexible wing, addressing a notable gap in the existing literature
related to high-aspect-ratio flexible wings. The paper presents ground vibration testing results for both the entire
flexible wing and its sub-assembly and constituent parts. These experimental findings serve as a benchmark for the
aeronautical and structural dynamics community.

The research involved comprehensive testing, encompassing the whole wing as well as its individual parts and sub-
assembly, resulting in four distinct specimens. Random vibration excitations were applied at three different amplitudes
using a shaker table. The investigation revealed the modal properties of a highly flexible, high- aspect-ratio wing
model, along with its sub-assembly and parts. Significantly, non-linearities within the structure were identified during
the tests. The acquired experimental data, crucial for understanding the behavior of flexible wings, are openly shared
in a repository, contributing valuable insights to the broader engineering community.

In the evolution of aeronautical technology over the past 70 years, a significant shift towards lightweight and
composite materials has transformed aircraft design, exemplified by Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. However,
challenges arise in predicting and modeling the behavior of flexible structures, particularly high-aspect-ratio wings.
Projects like the Beam Reduction and Dynamic Scaling (BeaRDS) framework have been initiated to address these
challenges, focusing on the development of future aircraft wings. Recognizing the lack of benchmarks for flexible
wings, the authors propose a case study, benchmark, and dataset to fill this gap.

The study centers around the Ground Vibration Testing (GVT) of specimens, including the eXperimental BeaRDS-2
(XB-2) high-aspect-ratio wing and its components. Random vibration testing at varying amplitudes was conducted,
with data post-processed and modal parameters extracted using Least Squares Complex Exponential (LSCE). The
obtained data, including near-resonance regions and non-linear behavior detection, are shared in an open repository
for the aeronautical and structural dynamics community.

Structural integrity is crucial in engineering, and understanding vibrations is fundamental in product design. Linear
Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) was employed to obtain modal parameters for applications such as damage
detection and model updating. While Ground Vibration Testing (GVT) is a standard procedure in aeronautics for final
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project development, its primary purpose is to extract modal parameters for FEM updating.

The article differentiates GVT from EMA in aeronautics, highlighting the former's role in certifying aircraft projects
and identifying inconsistencies in construction. Damage detection during GVT is impractical due to its time-
consuming and costly nature. Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) is suggested for assessing the system's state during
operational life, but it falls outside the scope of this work.

The study incorporates Non-linear Modal Analysis (NLMA) to detect structural non-linearities in the flexible wing.
Random vibration is chosen over sine sweep due to its effectiveness in identifying non-linearities. The article
references the three-step NLMA procedure—detection, characterization, and parameter estimation— focusing solely
on the detection step. Modal parameter identification is performed using LSCE, a frequency domain implementation
of the industry standard method, to ensure consistency with vibration testing campaigns.

In the aerospace industry, experimental modal analysis is utilized to determine mode shapes and frequencies,
facilitating various applications such as troubleshooting, FEA correlation and reduction, and active vibration control.
Ground vibration testing (GVT) is a standard process in aerospace for validating and certifying new aircraft designs.
Among the applications of GVT, FEA correlation is widely adopted. Once completed, the FEA model is coupled with
aerodynamic models for aeroelastic analyses. It's important to note that GVT is not practical for damage detection due
to its lengthy and costly procedures.
A specific case study focused on a high aspect ratio aircraft wing, the XB-2, employs modal analysis through GVT.
The study involves testing four specimens: the XB-2 HAR complete wing assembly, the XB-2 skin (composed of
Agilus 30 and ABS), the XB-2 spar (made of Al 6082-T6), and the XB-2 stiffening tube (made of stainless steel). The
XB-2 is a scaled wing model with high aerodynamic efficiency designed for use in an A-320-like aircraft.
Before conducting the GVT, the first three natural frequencies were predicted using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, and
their corresponding mode shapes were determined in an FEA model. The GVT involved applying random vibrations
as excitation forces, with responses measured by nine accelerometers at different wing locations.

The GVT results, illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, revealed that the first mode for all specimens was
consistently a true bending mode. However, certain specimens, such as the stiffening tube, exhibited coupling of the
third mode with bending and torsion. This led the researchers to conclude that the inclusion of the stiffening tube had
an impact on the structure's behavior. Additionally, the study identified non-linearities that could not be predicted
theoretically.

Figure 1 Mode shapes of the first three vertically dominant modes

Figure 2 Mode shapes of the first three vertically dominant modes

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 Figure 3 Mode shapoes of the first three vertically dominant modes

Modal Analysis and Vibration Control of a Fuselage Aeronautical Panel

The study focuses on modal analysis and vibration control in an aeronautical fuselage panel. The paper outlines the
challenges that arise when reducing vibrations in an aircraft's fuselage and how active dynamic absorbers can help
overcome these challenges. The problem of vibrations in the fuselage of an aircraft is well known in civil aeronautical
engineering. Vibrations can be caused by the aircraft's external airflow and engines, affecting both the comfort and
safety of the flight. Currently, special passive devices, such as dynamic vibration absorbers (DVAs), are used to reduce
these vibrations, but their performance is quite limited, especially for the rejection of broadband disturbances. In this
study, we explore the possibility of adopting active dynamic absorbers, using an actuator based on a magnetostrictive
material, with the aim of increasing the reduction of unwanted vibrations. To do this, a mathematical model of the
flexible structure, i.e. a fuselage panel of a civil aircraft, is deduced using a new modal analysis algorithm aimed at
identifying the modal parameters of the mechanical system. A number of different control strategies are then designed
and experimentally compared in two case studies, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed approach.
The study also describes the process of acquiring frequency response functions, which is performed with a dynamic
signal analyzer HP35670A, with four input channels and one output channel. It was found that, taking into account
the frequency range where the spectrum of expected perturbations is concentrated, the frequency range where most of
the elastic energy is stored is the [80, 180] Hz range. Based on the maximum frequency of interest, the size of the
panel (1350 x 865 mm) and the propagation velocity of the elastic wave in the material (aluminum), a rectangular grid
of 11 x 15 (L = 165) points was selected to ensure a spatial resolution of 83 mm in both horizontal and vertical
directions. In summary, the study provides detailed information on how vibrations in an aircraft's fuselage can be
controlled and reduced using modal analysis and active dynamic absorption techniques. The proposed approach aims
to improve passenger safety and comfort on air flights.

The modal analysis algorithm used in this study is a hybrid Multi-Degree-of-Freedom (MDOF) technique, based on a
circle-fitting procedure and a Least-Mean-Square (LMS) estimation algorithm. The first step in the modal analysis
algorithm is to measure the frequency response functions (FRF) of the structure. These FRFs are then used to identify
the modal parameters of the mechanical system, which include the resonance frequency, damping factor, and mode
shape of each mode in a certain frequency range. The circle-fitting procedure is used to estimate the resonance
frequency and damping factor of each mode. This procedure involves fitting a circle to the FRF data in the complex
plane, where the center of the circle represents the resonance frequency and the radius represents the damping factor.
The LMS estimation algorithm is then used to estimate the mode shape of each mode. This algorithm involves
minimizing the difference between the measured FRF data and the predicted FRF data based on the estimated modal
parameters. The mode shape is then obtained by normalizing the estimated FRF data. Overall, the hybrid MDOF
technique used in this study is a powerful tool for identifying the modal parameters of a mechanical system. It
combines the advantages of both circle-fitting and LMS estimation algorithms to provide accurate and reliable results.
In the first case study, the system output spectrum is presented in Figure 4, and it confirms that all three tested control
laws are capable of rejecting the disturbance, with the internal model controller showing a better performance than
the other two control laws. In the second case study, the system output spectrum is presented in Figure 5, and it shows
that the internal model controller only works well at the frequency of 131 Hz, while the other two control laws provide
better disturbance attenuation in a wider frequency range, with the robust sliding strategy showing superior
performance. Overall, these figures provide a visual representation of the performance of the different control laws in
rejecting disturbances at different frequencies, which is an important aspect of the study's focus on reducing vibrations
in the fuselage of an aircraft.

I. Conclusion

In summary, Modal Analysis is essential for comprehending and enhancing the performance of dynamic structures.
The case studies provided serve as prime examples of its utility in aeronautical applications, setting standards for
optimizing high-aspect-ratio wings and suggesting the implementation of active dynamic absorbers for managing
fuselage vibrations. As technology progresses, Modal Analysis is anticipated to assume a broader role across various
engineering disciplines, demonstrating its efficacy in addressing intricate dynamic challenges. Moreover, the
interdisciplinary nature of Modal Analysis, spanning from acoustics to musical instrument design, highlights its
versatility and significance in the constantly evolving field of engineering.

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References

[1] J. Zhao, "Applications of Experimental Modal Analysis," Crystal Instruments, no. 45, pp. 1-4, 2018

[2] C. Natale.G. Aurilio, G. De Maria. (December 2002). Modal Analysis and Vibration Control of a Fuselage
Aeronautical Panel. Elsevier Recuperado de https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474667017339289