What Is Vibration Analysis Software?
Vibration analysis is used to determine the natural frequencies of structures. The target structures can be electrical appliances, automobiles, steel bridges, and many other types of structures. Vibration analysis software can simulate the forces, deformations, and breakdowns caused by vibration.
Vibration analysis functions are incorporated into structural analysis software as linear dynamic analysis. There is also a device that processes experimental data called sound and vibration analysis software, but this section describes vibration analysis software as simulation software.
Uses of Vibration Analysis Software
Vibration analysis software is used for various structures that generate vibration.
Since each structure has its own natural frequency, if the applied vibration matches the natural frequency, a resonance phenomenon is caused. Since this resonance causes increased vibration and damage or destruction of the structure, it is necessary to check for resonance using simulation at the design stage. Vibration analysis software is used to confirm such phenomena.
Principles of Vibration Analysis Software
Vibration analysis is divided into two categories: modal analysis, which studies the eigenvalues of a structure’s vibration, and frequency response analysis, which examines the response to external vibrations.
The modal analysis focuses on the frequency of an object when no external force is applied (free vibration). The natural frequencies of the object are calculated, and measures can be taken to avoid resonance frequencies that increase vibration.
Frequency response analysis focuses on the response of an object when an external force is applied at a specific frequency. When an object continues to vibrate at a certain frequency and amplitude, it is in a steady state with no time variation. Frequency response analysis evaluates periodic vibration in a steady state.
In addition to simulation, vibration analysis software outputs various vibration parameters from the object’s time series data using FFT and tracking analysis. The frequency components can be obtained by Fourier transform.
Characteristics of Vibration Analysis Software
Vibration analysis software simulates how a structure changes in response to externally applied, cyclic forces, and outputs the results through visualization and other means. When a constant force is applied to the object and the stresses and deformations that occur are examined, it is called a linear static analysis.
Vibration analysis software calculates the equations of motion, including springs, dampers, and masses. This is similar to solving for the vibration of a weight connected to a spring, but the equations used in vibration analysis software are more complex because they move in three directions and take rotation into account.
When conducting vibration analysis, the target structure is often divided into smaller elements, and equations of motion are created for each element. Each of the countless elements has its own equation, and a computer is used to solve all of them. For accurate simulation, the number of elements must be increased. For this division of elements, the finite element method is often used for structural analysis, such as vibration analysis.