Numerical and Experimental Modal Analysis of Square Sheets of Low Carbon Steel Under Different Boundary Conditions

Abstract

Dynamic analysis of square plates has been a subject of fundamental research interest over several decades. In these analyses, several dynamic aspects such as modal frequencies, occurrence of harmonics, mode shapes, displacement pattern of position vector, location of maximum displacement and damping characteristics are studied which provide critical inputs for structural design engineers. In this paper, a detailed modal analysis (both modal frequencies and mode shapes) of low carbon steel sheets of 2 mm thickness has been made under different boundary conditions such as all ends free, FFFF (Free-Free-Free-Free), one end clamped, CFFF (Clamped-Free-Free-Free), two ends clamped CFCF, (Clamped-Free-Clamped-Free) and all ends clamped, (C-C-C-C) conditions using Solid Works Engineering software. The analysis is restricted to first four modes, as they play a dominant role in the structural behavior of the sheets. Experimental modal analysis has also been done on 2mm thick low carbon steel (IS 513) sheet using FFT analyzer for selected conditions. A holistic observation on the role of i, j vectors, the occurrence of nodal lines, displacement pattern, nature of displacement and the location of maximum displacement has been made for different boundary conditions. The results obtained from Solid Works and experimental modal analysis is in very close agreement