Which feature do you need?
- Getting back the modal analysis capabilities Simscale offered until the end of 2017 through the Calculix solver enhanced by some minor additional features (Eigenstresses) included in the details below.
- Modal Analysis to be followed by an optional 2nd step to calculate the Modal Response of a linear structure: Both calculation steps are usually much faster vs. the dynamic analysis type if you need the structural vibrations for many frequencies. (Details below only adress the first step of the Modal Analysis)
What is the problem that you want to address with this feature?
Typically structures tend to fail because of excitation in their eigenfrequencies. Knowledge of Eigenfrequencies is key to decide which frequencies need special attention which may be subsequently adressed through the still available Dynamic analysis.
What is the expected outcome?
Structural Eigenfrequencies:
- Most likely structures fail because of high force levels in their eigenfrequencies. Eigenfrequencies are key to understand dynamic failure of structures!
- To compare different meshes for the same structures regarding their capabilities for other dynamic analysis types (still offered by Simscale) we typically compare the eigenfrequencies of the different meshes. For the frequency ranges in which multiple meshes show same eigenfrequencies you can run subsequent dynamic analysis with the coarser mesh.
- Quick sense check if calculated eigenfrequencies match the known eigenfrequencies of simple structures (see examples for cantilever beams and simply supported plates on Software für Handwerker ✪ einfach und bequem .
Eigenforms:
- Visual check to differentiate real physically existing eigenforms vs. artifical eigenforms (an expert in acoustics can easily differentiate between both types)
- Quick check where the vibrating structure may have highest vibration amplitudes due to external excitation in the respective eigenfrequency.
Eigenstresses (not part of the earlier Simscale offering): Eigenstresses are normalized (Max displayed as “1”) stresses showing a normalized stress distribution through excitation of external forces in their eigenfrequencies. Consequently these stresses will not tell you if the structure fails, but it shows where the initial crack may start causing the subsequent failure.
Can you share application examples, ideally with project links on SimScale?
Earlier analysis examples which made use of this feature:
Jet Engine Eigenfrequency analysis
Eigenfrequency analysis of a railway wheel set
Some additional background from a training lecture (see course on “Grundlagen der Maschinenakustik” by Technische Akademie Essslingen) on Computational Acoustics:
Modal analysis vs. other dynamic analysis types
Simscale Blog on Modal Analysis
Anyway, thanks a lot for the feedback!!