Workshop 2A:

Modal Analysis
(Plate with a Hole)

ANSYS M
Mechanical
h i l

Dynamics
y

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Workshop 2A - Goals Training Manual

Our goal is to determine the first 10 natural frequencies and mode

shapes for the plate with the hole shown.
The plate is made of Aluminum.
Assume the plate is fully constrained at the hole.
As if the plate is tightly bolted down at the hole.

Fixed Center

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Workshop 2A Project Schematic Training Manual

From the project schematic, insert a

new Modal system.

Import the Geometry file

plate.iges

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Workshop 2A - Preprocessing Training Manual

Edit the Engineering Data cell.

add Aluminum Alloy from the General Materials library to Engineering Data

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Workshop 2A - Preprocessing Training Manual

Return to the Project, and Edit the Model cell to open the Mechanical
application.
set the plate thickness to 0.1 in
sett the
th plate
l t material
t i l assignment
i t to
t Aluminum
Al i Alloy
All

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Workshop 2A - Environment Training Manual

Constrain the center hole.

highlight the Modal Branch to >Insert>Fixed Supports.
Switch to edge
g selection mode as necessary y
Use Box Select, or drag single-select LMB around the hole to pick all
applicable edge segments (4 edges)..
8
Click Apply
pp y in the Details window
Reorient model as necessary throughout.

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Workshop 2A Modal Solution Training Manual

Check the Details of Modal

Analysis Settings.
set Max Modes to Find to 10
set Calculate Stress Yes
set Calculate Strain Yes

If you just want frequencies and

shapes, you dont need to
calculate stress or strain. It will
save a little time to skip those
calculations.

Solve the Modal analysis.

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Workshop 2A - Results Training Manual

After the modal solution is completed, review the modal shapes for each
frequency.
Click on the Modal Solution Branch in the Tree. Then LMB on the top of the
F
Frequency Column
C l in
i the
th Tabular
T b l Data
D t region,
i and
d >RMB>Create
>RMB>C t Mode
M d
Shape Results
This will automatically insert Total Deformation objects in the Tree for all modes
solved.

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Workshop 2A - Results Training Manual

To get an overall view of the Modal results step thru (LMB) the Total
Deformation result objects for each mode.
You can also Animate (Play & Stop) the mode from the Timeline
window.
Note: Make a note of your highest natural Frequency mode:
Max Indicated Freq = _________________Hz.

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Workshop 2A - Comments Training Manual

Remember:
Displacements reported with mode shapes are relative and do not reflect the
actual max magnitudes of the displacements.
The actual magnitudes will depend on the energy input to the system (depends on forcing
function).
Sometimes it is challenging to visualize the true mode shape from a simple
contour plot.
Try
y the Vector Display
p y instead.
Adjust the Vector Scale slider as desired.
You can also animate the vector plot too. Vector
Plot

Arrows may
be more
intuitive in
some cases
cases.
Contour
Plot.
Difficult to
determine
deformation
directions
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