Running Modes Analysis
Running Modes Analysis
LMS Test.Lab
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Chapter 1 Running mode analysis
One of the most common ways of estimating the modal parameters is based
upon the measurement of FRFs between one or more input (reference DOFs)
and all response DOFs of interest. These measurements are made under well
defined and controlled conditions, where all input and output signals are
measured and no unknown forces (external or internal) are acting on the system.
The modal model is (ideally) valid under any circumstances; that is to say,
whatever the frequency contents, level or nature of the acting forces. This
makes modal analysis a very powerful tool, and the modal model (once
identified) can be used in a number of ways, such as trouble shooting, forced
response prediction, sensitivity analysis or modification prediction.
Animating the system's wire frame model can lead to a better understanding of
these phenomena. This makes it possible to show each motion (or acceleration)
level at the corresponding DOF, in a cyclic manner. Because of the external
resemblance of the animated representation of the vector quantity {X} with the
mode shape vector {V}, the vector {X} is called a running mode, or an
operational deflection shape.
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Chapter 1 Running mode analysis
where:
In This Chapter
Transmissibility functions ..................................................7
Crosspower spectra.............................................................9
Ideally, all response spectra for a running mode analysis would be acquired:
simultaneously
in a short period of time in which the operating conditions of the test object
remain constant
with signals having a high signal to noise ratio, so that no averaging is
required.
In practice, the number of acquisition channels on the measurement system
limits the number of response signals which can be measured simultaneously,
and so different sets of responses have to be measured at different periods of
time. Additionally, if a relatively high level of noise is present on the signals,
an averaging procedure may be necessary during the acquisition of the response
signals.
The two measured functions available for running mode analysis are:
transmissibility functions and crosspower spectra.
When the response signals are related to the reference by simply dividing each
response signal frequency spectrum by the reference frequency spectrum, the
result is the transmissibility function (T)
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Chapter 2 Measuring running modes
When estimating the transmissibility functions from Equation 4-4 above, the
coherence function (g) can also be calculated using the following equation.
The coherence function expresses the linear relationship between both response
signals of the measured system. This coherence function is expected to be high,
since both responses are caused by the same acting forces. In practice, however,
it can be low for the same reasons as those affecting the measurement of FRFs,
that is to say due to low signal to noise ratio for one or both of the signals, bad
signal conditioning, etc.
Another interesting reason why the coherence between two measured signals
may be low, can be derived from equation 4-1, when it is substituted in equation
4-3. The linear relationship (and hence the coherence) will vary as a function of
the weighting factors Fj(w), this can be because of changing operating
conditions during the averaging process for example. High coherence function
values in the frequency regions of interest therefore indicate both a high quality
of the measurement signals and stationary operating conditions.
Absolutely scaled running mode coefficients for each DOF i can be obtained by
multiplying the transmissibility spectra by the RMS value of the reference
autopower spectrum.
When the measured autopower spectrum has units of displacement squared, the
scaled running mode will be expressed in units of displacement (for example,
When it can be assumed that the operating conditions are not going to change
while measuring all response signals, then it is possible to measure just
crosspower spectra between each response DOF i and a certain reference DOF j
Absolutely scaled running modes can, in this case, be obtained again by means
of the autopower spectrum of the reference station j
When displacements were measured, the running mode coefficient will have
units of displacement. Equations 4-8 and 4-9 can be used to derive velocity or
acceleration values.
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Chapter 3 Identification and scaling of running modes
In This Chapter
Scaling of running modes ...................................................11
Unlike modal modes, a running mode can be identified at any arbitrary
frequency of the measured spectra.
Simple peak picking and mode picking methods can be used to extract the
sampled values, corresponding to a certain spectral line from the measured
spectra. They can then be scaled, and assembled into a vector which can be
listed, or animated using a 3D wire frame model of the measured object. For a
measurement blocksize of 1024 (512 spectral lines), it is thus possible to
identify 512 running modes - or even more when interpolating between the
spectral lines.
The scaling of running modes coefficients that have been determined using peak
picking methods, depends upon the nature of the measurement data (e.g.
transmissibilities, or autopowers).
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Chapter 3 Identification and scaling of running modes
particular mode.
Each one of the above scaling methods may change and influence the units of
the scaled running mode. The scaling factor's units will be incorporated into
the mode shape coefficient units, which were initially obtained from the
measurement data.
In This Chapter
Modal Scale Factors and Modal Assurance Criterion ........13
Modal decomposition .........................................................14
A set of functions exists, that are designed to assess the validity of modes.
These include the functions of Modal Scale Factor, Modal Assurance Criterion
and Modal decomposition.
Both the Modal Scale Factor and Modal Assurance Criterion are mathematical
tools used to compare two vectors of equal length. They can be used to compare
running and modal, mode shape information.
The Modal Scale Factor between columns l and j of mode shape k or MSFjlo is
the ratio between two vectors. Although this ratio should be independent of the
row index i (the response station), a least squares estimate has to be computed
for it when more than one output station coefficient is available.
If a linear relationship exists between the two complex vectors {V jk} and {V
lk}, then the MSF is the corresponding proportionality constant between them,
and the MAC value will be near to one. If they are linearly independent, the
MAC value will be small (near zero), and the MSF not very meaningful.
Modal Scale Factors and Modal Assurance Criterion values can be used to
compare an obtained modal model with the accepted running modes. The
MAC values for corresponding modeshapes should be near 100 % and the MSF
between corresponding vectors should be close to unity. When multiple inputs
are used, the MSF can be calculated for each input, while the corresponding
MAC will be the same for all of them.
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Chapter 4 Interpretation of results
When a modal model for the same DOFs is available for a measured object, it is
possible to compare modal and running modes and to track down resonance
phenomena causing a particular running mode to become predominant. This is
termed Modal decomposition. By using a decomposition of each running mode
in a linear combination of the modal modes, it becomes clear whether or not a
running mode originates primarily from a resonance phenomenon.
The modal modes form what is termed the 'basis' group of modes. The running
modes are in a separate group that is to be decomposed. The following formula
applies.
Where:
ai are the scaling coefficients needed to satisfy the above equation. The
scaling coefficients are rescaled relative to the maximum value.
Note: Take care when interpreting these values since resemblance of the
modal and the running mode may purely be coincidental. A running mode at
56 Hz will have no connection with a modal mode at 200 Hz even if they look
alike.
C
Crosspower spectra • 9
I
Identification and scaling of running modes •
11
Interpretation of results • 13
M
Measuring running modes • 7
Modal decomposition • 14
Modal Scale Factors and Modal Assurance
Criterion • 13
R
Running mode analysis • 5
S
Scaling of running modes • 11
T
Transmissibility functions • 7
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