Vibration modeling of a steel plate and validation of results experimentally

Modal testing is one of the challenging research areas in the field of aeroelasticity on account of great concerns with cost, time and safety in expanding the flight envelope of the new and modified structures like aircrafts. Modal analysis is one of the most important steps towards qualification of the structure. Whenever a new mass is added to the structure, it changes its dynamic characteristics and overall operational envelope of the large structures. Change as in mass and geometry may produce entirely different results and it must be thoroughly investigated for instability condition that is conducted through Modal Analysis. An effort is put forth for the enhancement of such tests by doing the vibration analysis of a steel plate. This paper encompasses the analytical vibration modeling of a steel plate using Beam Equation and Experimental Modal Analysis to validate the theoretical calculations. Changes in natural frequencies and mode shapes were determined for symmetric and asymmetric load cases by changing the mass distribution of the steel plate and its effect on aeroelastic stability. (author)