DYNAMIC TESTING OF

MACHINES AND
STRUCTURES

The determination of deformation of the

machines or structures at a critical
frequency is called dynamic testing of
machines.
The following two approaches can be used
for this purpose:

By using operational deflection shape(ODS)

measurements.
By using model testing.

In ODS method, the forced dynamic deflection shape

is measured under steady state i.e., operating
frequency of the system.
For the measurement, an accelerometer is placed at
some point on the structure/machine as a reference,
and another moving accelerometer is placed at several
other points, and in different directions.
Then the magnitude and phase difference between the
moving and reference accelerometers at all the points
under steady-state operation of the system are
measured. Next we can find absolutely how the
various parts of the machine move relative to one
another by plotting these measured values.

The operational deflection shape measured is valid only

for the particular force/frequency associated with the
operating conditions and we cannot get the information
about deflections under other forces/frequency.
In modal testing, natural frequencies, damping ratios
and mode shapes are determined through vibration
testing. Modal testing is study of the dynamic properties
of an elastic structure by identifying its modes of
vibration. In addition, it has a characteristic mode shape
which defines the resonance spatially over the entire
structure.
Once the dynamic properties of an elastic structure have
been characterized, the behavior of the structure in its
operating environment can br predicted and therefore,
controlled and optimized.

Operational deflection shape

(ODS)

An ODS can be defined as any forced motion of two or more

points on a structure.
Specifying the motion of two or more points defines a shape.
ODS depends on the forces or loads applied to a structure.
They will change if the load changes.
To understand any structural vibration problems, the
resonance of a structure need to be identified. This is done by
defining its modes of vibration.
Each mode is defined by a natural modal frequency, modal
damping and a mode shape.

Time domain ODS

Random
Impulsive
Sinusoidal
Ambient

Frequency domain ODS

Linear spectra (FFTs)

Auto power spectra(APSs)
Cross power spectra(XPSs)
Frequency response functions(FRFs)
ODS FRSs

In Time domain ODS,magnitude and phase are

implicitly assumed. This means that either all of the
response data can be measured simultaneously or
they have to be measured under conditions which
guarantee their correct magnitude and phase relative
to one another.
If the structure or machine is under going or can be
made to undergo, repeatable operation, then response
data can be acquired one channel at a time. For
repeatable operations, the operation and phase of each
response signal is unique and repeatable.

Steady state operation is achieved when the

auto power spectrum(APS) of a response
signal does not change over time or from
measurement to measurement

Frequency domain ODS,

Linear spectrum:-frequency domain function is the

FFT of a sampled time domain function. Phase is
preserved in the linear spectrum, so in order to obtain
operating deflection shapes from a set of linear
spectra, either the measurement process must be
repeatable or the time domain signals must be
simultaneously sampled.
Auto power spectrum (APS):-the APS is derived by
taking the FFT of a sampled time domain function and
multiplying the resulting linear spectrum by the
complex conjugate of the linear spectrum at each
frequency.
FRFs:-The FRF is a 2-channel measurement,
involving a response and an excitation signal. It can
be estimated in several ways, depending on whether
the excitation or the response has more noise.

 The most common calculations involve dividing an

estimate of the cross power systems (XPS) between the
response and excitation of the auto power spectrum
(APS) of the excitation, at each frequency. Averaging
together of several XPSs and APSs is commonly done
to reduce noise in these estimates.
The operating deflection shapes derived from a set of
FRFs will contain both the magnitude and phase
deformation.
FRFs cannot be measured on operating machinery or
equipment when internally generated forces, acoustic
excitation and other forms of excitation are either
unmeasured or immeasurable. On the other hand,ODS
can always be measured no matter what forces are
causing the vibration.

Transmissibility

Transmissibility measurements are made

when the excitation force cannot be
measured.
Transmissibility is a 2-channel
measurement like the FRF. It is measured
the same way as the FRF, but the
response time is divided by a reference
signal instead of an excitation force.
The ODS obtained from a set of
transmissibility will also contain correct
magnitude and phase angle.

ODS FRF:- An ODS FRF is a different 2-channel

measurement that can also be used when excitation
forces cannot be measured.
The advantage of ODS FRF over the
transmissibility is that the ODS FRF has peaks
at resonance, thus making it easy for locating
resonance.

MODE SHAPES
Experimental modal parameters are obtained from measured
ODSs. Modal parameters are obtained by post processing a
set of ODS data. AT or near the resonance peak, the
resonance is dominated by a mode. Therefore, the ODS is
approximately equal to the mode shape. The concept
becomes clearer when sine wave excitation is considered.
However, the ODS that is measured also depends on whether
or not a resonance is excited. In order to excite resonance,
the following two conditions must be met:
The excitation frequency must be close to the resonance
frequency. All single frequency sine wave model testing is
based upon achieving the two conditions above and also a
third condition.
At a resonant frequency, if the ODS is dominated by one
mode, then the ODS will closely approximate the mode
shape.