A Guide to linear dynamic

analysis with Damping

This guide starts from applications of linear dynamic response
and its role in FEA simulation. Fundamental concepts and
principles will be introduced such as equation of motion, types of
vibrations, role of damping in engineering and its types, linear
dynamic analyses, etc. Finally we will discuss how to choose
appropriate solution type for damping and introduce strength of
midas NFX for solving dynamic problems.

Courtesy of Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

and Mechatronics; West Pomeranian University
of Technology, Poland

1. Dynamic Analysis Application

Dynamic analysis is strongly related to vibrations.

Vibrations are generally defined as fluctuations of a mechanical or structural system about an

equilibrium position. Vibrations are initiated when an inertia element is displaced from its
equilibrium position due to an energy imported to the system through an external source.
Vibrations occur in many mechanical and structural
systems. Without being controlled, vibrations can
lead to catastrophic situations.
Vibrations of machine tools or machine tool chatter
can lead to improper machining of parts. Structural
failure can occur because of large dynamic
stresses developed during earthquakes or even
wind induced vibrations.
Figure 1: 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge failure
Vibrations induced by an unbalanced helicopter blade while rotating at high speeds can lead to
the blade's failure and catastrophe for the helicopter. Excessive vibrations of pumps,
compressors, turbomachinery, and other industrial machines can induce vibrations of the
surrounding structure, leading to inefficient operation of the machines while the noise produced
can cause human discomfort.

Figure 2: Failed compressor components

Vibrations as the science is one of the first courses where most engineers to apply the knowledge
obtained from mathematics and basic engineering science courses to solve practical problems.
Solution of practical problems in vibrations requires modeling of physical systems. A system is
abstracted from its surroundings. Usually assumptions appropriate to the system are made.
Basic engineering science, mathematics and numerical methods are applied to derive a computer
based model.
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2. Dynamic Analysis Equation

The mathematical modeling of a physical system results in the formulation of a mathematical
problem. The modelling is not complete until the appropriate mathematics is applied and a
solution obtained.
The type of mathematics required is different for different types of problems. Modeling of any
statics, dynamics, and mechanics of solids problems leads only to algebraic equations.
Mathematical modeling of vibrations problems leads to differential equations.
In mathematical physics, equations of motion are equations that describe the behavior of
a physical system in terms of its motion as a function of time.

Equations of motion are consisted of inertial force, damping force (energy dissipation) and
elastic (restoring) force.
The overall behavior of a structure can be grasped through these three forces.

mu(t )
INERTIA FORCE

cu (t )

DAMPING FORCE

ku(t )

RESTORING FORCE

p(t )
APPLIED FORCE

Inertia Force is generated by accelerated mass.

Damping Force describes energy dissipation mechanism which induces a force that is a
function of a dissipation constant and the velocity. This force is known as the general viscous
damping force.
The final induced force in the dynamic system is due to the elastic resistance in the system and
is a function of the displacement and stiffness of the system. This force is called the elastic force,
restoring force or occasionally the spring force.
The applied load has been presented on the right-hand side of equation and is defined as a
function of time. This load is independent of the structure to which it is applied.
Exact analytical solutions, when they exist, are preferable to numerical or approximate solutions.
Exact solutions are available for many linear problems, but for only a few nonlinear problems.
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2.1 Single Degree of Freedom System

Simple mechanical system is schematically shown in Figure 3. The inputs (or excitation) applied to
the system are represented by the force p(t). The outputs (or response) of the system are
represented by the displacement u(t). The system boundary (real or imaginary) demarcates the
region of interest in the analysis. What is outside the system boundary is the environment in which
the system operates.
Environment

System Boundary

Dynamic System State

of Variables
Parameters (m, c, k)

System Excitation
(Inputs)

u(t)

System Response
(Outputs)

Figure 3: A Mechanical dynamic system

System parameters are represented in the model, and their values should be known in order to
determine the response of the system to a particular excitation.

State variables are a minimum set of variables, which completely represent the dynamic state of a
system at any given time t. For a simple SDOF oscillator an appropriate set of state variables would
be the displacement u and the velocity du/dt.
The equation of motion for SDOF mechanical system may be derived using the free-body diagram
approach.

2.2 Equation of Motion for Single Degree of Freedom System

p(t ) mu(t ) cu (t ) ku(t )

m mass
c damping coefficient
k stiffness coefficient
p(t) applied force

Figure 4: SDOF free body diagram.

Page 4

u(t) mass displacement

u(t) mass velocity
u(t) mass acceleration

2.3 Single Degree of Freedom System Responses

Free Undamped Response
General solution:

mu(t ) ku(t ) 0
u (t )

u 0

sin n t u0 cos n t

u(t ) A cos n t B sin n t

Natural frequency: n

k rad
[
]
m
s

u0 and u0 are an Initial Condition

entities
Free Damped Response
General solution:

mu(t ) cu(t ) ku(t ) 0

c ccr 2 km 2mn

Critically Damped System

u(t ) ( A Bt )e ct / 2 m

Underdamped solution:
u(t ) e ct / 2 m ( A sin d t B cos d t )
c ccr

c ccr

Overdamped System

Underdamped System

d n 1 2

Damped natural
frequency

c
ccr

Damping

ratio

Forced Undamped Response

Forced Damped Response

(t ) ku(t ) p(t )
mu

mu(t ) cu(t ) ku(t ) p(t )

Page 5

3. Dynamic Analysis Types in midas NFX

3.1 Eigenvalue Analysis/Normal Modes/Modal
Analysis of the Normal Modes or Natural
Frequencies of a structure is a search for its
resonant frequencies. By understanding the
dynamic
characteristics
of
a
structure
experiencing oscillation or periodic loads, we can
prevents resonance and damage of the structure.

Mass

Stiffness

Structure

Natural
Frequencies
Normal Mode
Shapes

Constraints

Natural Frequency the actual measure of frequency, [Hz] or similar units

Normal Mode shape the characteristic deflected shape of a structure as it resonates

3.2 Transient Analysis

Executed in the time domain, it obtains the
solution of a dynamic equation of equilibrium
when a dynamic load is being applied to a
structure.
Though the load and boundary conditions
required for a transient response analysis are
similar to those of a static analysis, a difference is
that load is defined as a function of time.

Mass

Stiffness

Response in Time
Domain

Structure

Constraints

Damping

Load in Time Domain

3.3 Frequency Response Analysis

A technique to determine the steady state
response of a structure according to sinusoidal (
harmonic) loads of known frequency.
Frequency Response is best visualized as a
response to a structure on a shaker table.
Adjusting the frequency input to the table gives a
range of responses.

Mass

Stiffness

Structure

Constraints

Damping
Response in Freq.
Domain

Load in Freq. Domain

mu(t ) cu (t ) ku(t ) F sin(t )

u (t ) F / k

sin(t )
2
(1 -

)2 ( 2 / n )2

input or driving frequency phase lead

Page 6

Figure 5: SDOF frequency

response - Displacement

Figure 6: Shaking table

for frequency response
experiment

4. Dynamic Loading Types

Dynamic loads can be applied directly on your model or as time or frequency dependent
static loadings.

- Time domain based loading types

- Frequency domain based loading types

Figure 7. Domain dependent Static Loading.

4.1 Solution Methods

Dynamic Analysis

Normal Modal Analysis

(Eigenvalue Analysis)

Direct Integration Method

Linear or Nonlinear
Analysis
Modal Superposition Method

Linear Analysis

Transient Response Analysis

Frequency Response
Analysis

Shock and Response Analysis*

*Not Covered in this guide

Figure 8. Dynamic Analysis Solution Types and Methods.

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5. Damping
Damping is the phenomenon by which mechanical energy is dissipated (usually by conversion
into internal thermal energy) in dynamic systems. Knowledge of the level of damping in a dynamic
system is important in the utilization, analysis, and testing of the system. In structural systems,
damping is more complex, appearing in several forms.

Internal damping refers to the structural material

itself. Internal (material) damping results from
mechanical energy dissipation within the material
due to various microscopic and macroscopic
processes.

Mechanical Damping

- Internal
- External

- Distributed
- Localized

Figure 9. Damping forms

External damping comes from boundary
effects. An important form is structural
damping, which is produced by rubbing
friction: stick-and-slip contact or impact.
Another form of external damping is fluid
damping.

Figure 10. Localized damping examples

All damping ultimately comes from frictional effects, which may however take place at different
scales. If the effects are distributed over volumes or surfaces at macro scales, we speak of
distributed damping. Damping devices designed to produce beneficial damping effects, such as
shock absorbers, represent localized damping.

5.1 Damping Models

It is not practical to incorporate detailed microscopic representations of damping in the dynamic
analysis of systems. Instead, simplified models of damping that are representative of various types
of energy dissipation are typically used.
Damping Models

General Viscous
Damping
Modal damping
Rayleigh damping

Page 8

Structural /
Hysteretic

Coulomb

Figure 11. General Damping models review

Fluid

5.2 Damping Models in midas NFX

The following types of damping are available inside the midas NFX:
- Proportional Damping (Rayleigh; classic)
- Hysteretic/Structural Damping
- Direct Damping values
- Frequency dependent damping
- Modal Damping
- Coulomb damping, requires special modelling techniques

5.3 Damping Model input for:

- Rayleigh Damping (Proportional)

- Discrete Viscous Damping

- Defined via Material Card

- BUSH 1D element Property

- Damper element Property

- Structural Damping

- Defined via Material Card and Analysis

Case Manager
- Overall and Elemental Damping

- Modal Damping

- Coulomb Damping

- Defined via Analysis Case Manager and

Functions

- Defined by combination of elements and

features

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6. Project Applications of Dynamic Analysis in midas NFX

midas NFX are used in various projects to investigate dynamic characteristics of a large range of
industrial products. Some of the examples are shown below.
Case 1

Performance evaluation of a mobile speaker through sound

pressure level (SPL) analysis

Mode Frequency

(midas NFX application from KEYRIN TELECOM)

In this project, the

performance of a cellphone
speaker is evaluated under
different sound pressure
levels.

1,778 Hz

3ND

1,801 Hz

4ND

9,457 Hz

5ND

9,679 Hz

Displacement / Frequency

Case 2

Resonance avoidance of ultra large AC servo robot

(midas NFX application from YUDO STAR Automation)

Mode

Natural
Frequency

1st Mode

6.0Hz

2nd Mode

8.2Hz

3rd Mode

14.6Hz

Resonance frequency range

From the image we can confirm the necessity

for resonance avoidance design in order to
avoid the resonance which happens at 15Hz
under repetitive load.

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2ND

Stress

From the right image, we can see different

mode shapes of the structure. We can also
observe that maximum displacement was 0.4
mm, it occurred at around 1000Hz. At this
frequency the suspension structure reached
its maximum stress of 250MPa.

Stresses were equally calculated under

seismic load through response spectrum
analysis.

1,046 Hz

6ND 10,217 Hz

Firstly modal analysis was performed to

determine natural frequencies of the speaker
components. Then frequency response
analysis was performed to calculate stresses
and deformation shapes of the speaker
components according to different frequency
spectrums.

In this case a dynamic characteristics of a

servo robot arm was investigated both to
avoid resonance during machine operation
and to ensure structural safety during
earthquakes.

1ND

Stress distribution under seismic load

Case 3

Brake Disc Squeal Analysis

(midas NFX application)

In this project the dynamic characteristics of brake disc were reviewed to avoid squeal noise
caused by vibration. Through frequency response analysis, we can observe that at around 7000
Hz, frequencies of Nodal Diameter Mode and In-Plane Compression Mode are very close,
where squeal noise is most likely to occur. Therefore, a design modification is needed to
separate 2 frequencies to avoid squealing problems.
Natural

Mode

frequency

2ND

1027 Hz

3ND

2394 Hz

4ND

3897 Hz

5ND

5468 Hz

1st IPC

7014 Hz

6ND

7045 Hz

7ND

8592 Hz

8ND

10068 Hz

2nd IPC

10285 Hz

1st IPC

6ND

Case 4

Safety analysis of marine refrigeration machine under vibration

(midas NFX application)

In this project, natural frequency analysis and frequency response analysis were performed to
predict the happening of cracks on the body and piping of a marine refrigeration machine under
vibration loads.
100

Pipe Frequency
Part frequency
Response Function response
X-direction

Y-direction

10

Z-direction

100

PipeFrequency
Part frequency
Response Function response
X-direction

Y-direction

10

Z-direction

0.1

0.1

0.01

0.01

0.001

0.001

0.0001
0

10

20

30

40

50
60
Frequency

70

80

90

100

0.0001
0

100

10

20

30

40

50
60
Frequency

70

80

90

100

PipeFrequency
Part frequency
Response Function response
X-direction

Y-direction

10

Z-direction

1
0.1
0.01

Resonant stress distribution

0.001

0.0001

Resonant displacement distribution

Page 10

10

20

30

40

50
60
Frequency

70

80

90

100

7. Advantages of NFX for Dynamic Analysis

7.1 Easiness to be learned and adopted
Despite all the benefits that simulation can bring to product design, adopting simulation driven
design approach in a well established team can be sometimes challenging.
To fully leverage the capabilities of FEA simulation and create maximum values, design
engineers need to learn FEA software as well as some specialized engineering knowledge.
Sometime design engineers need to work together with analysis specialist in the team to
complete a more complex analysis.
midas NFX is well-known for its fast learning curve to both analysis specialists and product
designers. midas NFX divides its interface into Designer Mode and Analyst Mode to fit the
needs of simple and powerful analysis in one software.
Designer mode aims to help design engineers who aspire to take that intellectual leap from CAD
design to FEA simulation. It is equipped with automation tools such as automatic simplification,
auto-meshing, analysis wizards, etc., as well as powerful meshing algorithms and highperformance solvers.

Analyst mode provides experienced analyst full flexibility to build and analyze finite element
models in the way you want. One can use different types of elements for modeling, and also
generate mesh manually. There are also tools to create and edit geometry that can help the user
tweak with the geometry without the inconvenience of returning to the CAD platform.
With the auto-update function, user can create analysis template with which when model is
redesigned, analysis can be directly performed on the model without having to assign all the
analysis condition again and again. Besides time saving, you can also extend knowledge of the
analysis specialist by asking a specialist to create the template so that the design engineers can
use it later in the design simulation iterations.

7.2 Easiness for modeling

New product are designed in CAD tools, many CAD tools are available on the market, and even
in one team different CAD tools are usually being used. Therefore, CAD compatibility is another
critical capacity to consider.
midas NFX is fully compatible with CAD, 13 most commonly used CAD formats are supported,
including Parasolid, CATIA V4/V5, UG, Pro/E, SolidWorks, Soild Edge, Inventor, STEP, IGES,
ACIS. Nastran format (.nas; .bdf) can also be import for analysis.

Models directly taken from CAD designs are usually with excessive detailing. Especially
electronic components, machine parts include many small holes, fillets, lines, faces which are
not only unnecessary but also will lead to inefficient analysis. Common practice is to clean up the
geometry model first before meshing and analyzing it.

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midas NFX is equipped with automatic and manual simplification tools to handle effectively the
clean up work. With several clicks such detailing can be automatically detected, selected and
removed. This will save you considerably amount of time.
Furthermore, midas NFX is equipped with geometry creation and editing tools. Simple
modifications to the model can be directly done in midas NFX without going back to CAD tools.

7.3 Convenient graphical output and reporting

Dynamic analysis provides the output related to the nature of the problem:
Natural vibration analysis can extract natural vibration frequencies and the associated mode
shapes

The response analysis refers to the calculation of the response, which can be displacements,
strain, or stress, when the system is subjected to time or frequency varying excitation forces
A good software provides result visualization in the most appropriate manner, as well provides
tools to extract flexibly any result at any location of interest. Advanced requirements such as
drawing value tables and graphs should also be satisfied.
Result visualization is one of the biggest strengths of midas NFX. The software provides
different kinds of contour maps. With ISO Surface, overheated locations can be easily
discovered. Interactive graph for incremental solution provides an excellent possibility to
investigate and validate your model during solution phase.

midas NFX has the provision for automatic report generation. The reports include all the
information related to the model, right from the geometry to the result graphs and tables. The
automatic reports can be generated in MS-Word or 3D PDF format. The former can use default
or custom templates whereas the latter is an interactive report with animated illustrations of the
model in a 3D view.

Page 13

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