Contact UsDynamic Analysis in FEA
Enabling engineers to account for time dependent structural characteristics at the design level.
Structural Dynamics Simulation Consulting
Structural systems can vibrate or oscillate due to their mass and stiffness. When structural systems are subjected to loads that vary with time or frequency, the dynamics of structural vibration is typically analyzed. The primary reason vibration is studied is to design components that can resist vibration fatigue failure. The second reason is to isolate or minimize the transmission of the vibration from the source.
Vibration dynamics begins with the study of free vibration, often referred to as modal analysis. Free vibrations are how a structure oscillates when an external load has been removed. Using modal analysis, the basic vibration characteristics, often referred to as natural or resonant frequencies and vibration mode shapes, of the structure are first determined. When the structure is subjected to sustained periodic loading, using the harmonic analysis tool, one can predict the steady dynamic behavior of the structure, enabling one to verify whether their structural designs can successfully overcome resonance and other harmful effects of such periodic vibrations. Spectrum or frequency analysis is used to determine the spectral vibration responses of structures subjected to random or time-dependent loading conditions such as earthquakes, wind loads, ocean wave loads, rocket motor vibrations, etc. A transient vibration analysis is done when a structure’s dynamic vibration response has to be evaluated for time-varying load.
SimuTech Group’s engineers have employed the dynamic analysis methods noted here on hundreds of projects for our customers. Save significant time and cost in your development projects by simulating your designs prior to building expensive physical prototypes and cutting production tooling.
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Dynamic Analysis | Recent FEA Consulting Projects
Large Electronic Switch Seismic Response
A large pole mounted electronic switch was validated for structural integrity due to dynamic response from an earthquake event.
Alcohol Process Equipment
The dynamic response of a mash feeder tube was investigated with regards to system excitation.
Aerospace Component Shock & Random Vibration Analysis
Simulation of MIL Standard triangular wave shock and random vibration requirements.
Truck Bracket Random Vibration Response
Comparative fatigue investigation into truck cab step brackets subject to MIL-STD-810G random vibration.
Multistage Compressor
Resolving cavity resonance problem by applying finite element analysis (FEA) computational methods to rotordynamics.
Vehicle Accident
Reconstructing model-to-model crash or collision scenarios by employing explicit dynamics simulations available in ANSYS LS-Dyna.
Arch Gravity Dam
Dynamic analysis and comprehensive seismic evaluation.
Spillway Piers
Seismic stability and gate operability.
Panama Canal Culvert Valve
Hydrodynamic analysis.
Nuclear Plant
Analysis for tornado generated missile impact.
Engine Anti-Ice System
Random vibration evaluation for flight operation.
Marine Valve
Modal and acceleration investigation due to improper constraint.
Testing Services Related to Structural Dynamics Consulting
Modal Vibration Testing
During modal testing an instrumented hammer, electromagnetic shaker, or piezoelectric actuator is used to excite vibration of the test article. The vibration amplitude and phase in response to the excitation is measured at multiple locations using sensors including accelerometers and laser vibrometers. Frequency response functions are calculated with a dynamic signal analyzer. Curve fitting techniques are used to extract the natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios of a structure.
Strain Gauge Testing
Strain gauge testing may be used to measure static strain due to relatively constant loads such as pressure or other applied mechanical loads. Strain gauges may also be used to measure dynamic strain due to transient events or vibration. Information from gauge measurements is useful for validation of finite element analysis (FEA) models, thereby establishing more accurate operating loads, which is critical in failure investigations.
Campbell Testing
Campbell testing is a technique for measuring the natural frequencies and mode shapes of rotating turbine blade assemblies. Strain gauges are applied to the blades and rotating telemetry is used to transmit data to the stationary data acquisition system. The output from the test is the resonant frequencies of the blades as a function of rotational speed of the shaft.
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