FEMtools Dynamics
Advanced Finite Element Solutions for Simulating Dynamic Response and Structural Modifications
FEMtools Dynamics contains tools for:
- Frequency response functions (FRF).
- Harmonic response analysis.
- Residual vectors.
- Substructuring
- Superelement analysis.
- Modal-based assembly (MBA) for structural dynamics modification (modal solver).
- FRF-based assembly (FBA).
- Time domain simulation.
Frequency Response Functions (FRF)
To obtain FRFs, the response function is divided by the excitation force. Because these functions do not contain force information, they only depend on mass, stiffness and damping properties of the structure, just like the modal properties. Therefore they are also suitable as responses for correlation analysis, sensitivity analysis and model updating.
Key Features
- Compute FRFs that are comparable to experimentally obtained FRFs.
- Direct FRF computation with support for multi-reference enforced displacements.
- Padé approximant method with automatic convergence control for fast direct FRF computation.
- Modal FRF synthesis from FEA or test modes.
- Residual vectors (inertia relief, viscous damping and applied loads) for improved modal FRF synthesis.
- Dynamic compensation method for improved modal FRF synthesis.
- Support for various types of damping (modal, proportional viscous and structural damping viscous damper elements, material damping).
- Support for local coordinate systems.
Harmonic Response Analysis
Harmonic response analysis studies the response of a structure under harmonic loading all of the applied forces are known at each forcing frequency. Depending on the formulation, operational displacement, velocities or accelerations are obtained. In general, the results are referred to as Operational Shapes or Operational Displacement Shapes (ODS). ODS can be used in correlation analysis to compare experimental ODS with analytical predictions.
Key Features
- Operational shapes analysis using modal and direct solvers.
- Displacement, velocity or acceleration responses functions at selected DOFs.
- Enforced response analysis (excitation defined as displacements, velocities or accelerations).
Residual Vectors
Residual Vectors (RESVEC) are used to extend the modal base that is used for modal superposition methods. They can compensate the effects of modal truncation and often improve the dynamic response without the need to increase the number of mode shapes or use a direct method. FEMtools supports methods to compute residual vectors that are based on inertia relief, viscous damping and applied loads.
Substructuring
Dividing assembled structures into sub-structures is an efficient approach to solve dynamic problems. When applied to large numerical models, substructuring techniques allow creating superelements and reducing the complexity of each component so that the assembled problem is manageable yet accurate. The Craig-Bampton method is a well-known tool for such procedures, but other response-based or modal-based approaches are available too. Substructuring also allows combining models obtained from measured components so that, through an hybrid assembly process, a representation of the full structure can be constructed and used in further engineering and design tasks.
Substructuring methods are enabling efficient re-analysis for applications like model updating and optimization, but also to vary joint properties for nonlinear analysis and probabilistic analysis.
Applications
- Efficient simulation of large assembled structures.
- Hybrid modelling combining analytical and experimental substructures.
- Bottom-up validation and updating.
- Inverse analysis using target response.
- Efficiently simulate structural modifications, changes to a substructure or changes to joints.
- Investigate different modeling assumptions on the correlation with test data.
- Design of tuned absorbers.
- Sampling of design space.
Superelement Analysis
A superelement is defined by grouping a number of elements and solve for this substructure separately. Superelements offer great time-savings in application that require significant re-analysis like time-domain and frequency domain responses analysis, design
optimization, probabilistic analysis, robust design and multi-body simulations. Superelements are also used to overcome situations where a full solution is not even possible because of limited computer resources (internal memory, disk space).
Key Features
- Integrated Craig-Bampton matrix reduction.
- Easy definition of superelements using sets of elements or sets of nodes.
- Support for assemblies without residual model.
- Automatic generation of master DOFs and processing of DOF relations.
- Support of slave DOFs in DOF relations as master DOFs of a Superelement.
Modal-Based Assembly (MBA)
Modal-Based Assembly (MBA) is a modal domain substructuring method to rapidly assess the influence of structural changes on the modal parameters and derived results like FRFs or operational shapes. The main advantage of the MBA approach is its high computational efficiency. This technique can be used to investigate the effect of different modeling assumptions on the level of correlation with test data. Other applications are in vibration troubleshooting or are design-oriented, for example to find the most efficient structural modification that will shift resonant frequencies away from excitation frequencies.
MBA is an extension of Structural Dynamics Modification (SDM) that supports FEA data, test data or a combination of FEA and test data (hybrid modeling).
Key Features
- Modification of a finite element model or a test model using individual modification elements (finite elements), using tuned absorbers or modal substructures. An unlimited number of modification elements and types can be combined.
- Point-and-click interactive definition of modifications.
- Solution of modified mode shapes and resonance frequencies using modal parameters coming from modal test or finite element analysis.
- Correlation analysis between unmodified and modified models
- Variational analysis of all physical properties of the modification elements using the fast modal solver.
- Fast modal solver for model updating and optimization.
- A slider control to dynamically change parameter values and immediately see the effect of the change in tables and graphics.
- Animated, side-by-side and overlay plots, of unmodified and modified models, mode shapes, FRFs and operational shapes.
FRF-Based Assembly (FBA)
FRF-based Assembly (FBA) is a frequency domain substructuring method to combine multiple sub-components and predict the response of the assembly from the FRFs computed or measured on each component. In case of FBA the dynamic properties of the subcomponents, as well as the computed behavior of the assembled structure are described with frequency response functions (FRFs). FBA is an alternative to Superelements (using system matrices) and modal-based assembly (using mode shapes only). FBA is a computationally efficient method that focuses on the coupling between components and is therefore suitable for larger assemblies with many components and for studying the transmission of forces by the connections.
Key Features
- FBA components like boundings and joints to connect FRFs that can be rigid or flexible.
- Support for impedances (viscous damper, structural damping) with local coordinate systems.
- Support for added masses with local coordinate systems, and tuned absorbers.
- Definition of intra-model connectors and multi-point constraints (MPC).
- Definition of FBA forces, enforced displacements and recovery points.
- Computation of internal forces in the FBA connection points (Transfer Path Analysis).
Time Domain Simulation
Time Domain Simulation (TDS) provides a set of tools to compute the transient response of structures in a computational efficient way. The FEMtools TDS solver first derives a state-space model from the normal modes of the structure and then uses this model to compute the time series of the responses. In combination with the modal parameter extractor, TDS can be used in a pretest analysis phase to simulate a vibration test.
Key Features
- Definition and generation of input signals: impulses, sines and random signals.
- Computation of displacements, velocities and acceleration response signals.
- XY plots of signals.
- Export of response signals for pretest analysis.
Prerequisites
- FEMtools Framework with basic FEA Solvers (included)
Options
- Upgrade to FEMtools Pretest and Correlation
- Upgrade to FEMtools Model Updating
- Upgrade to FEMtools Optimization
- NASTRAN interface and driver
- ANSYS interface and driver
- ABAQUS interface and driver
- UNIVERSAL FILE interface and driver
- FEMtools Modal Parameter Extractor
- FEMtools Rigid Body Properties Extractor
