Structural Dynamics - 2019 entry

Much of modern engineering involves structures that move or have parts which move, e.g. automotive/aerospace structures, gas turbines used to propel aircraft or rotating components in machine tools. Even seemingly static structures such as buildings and bridges are subjected to dynamic forces such as earthquakes, wind and human loads.

This module explores techniques for analysing how structures respond to dynamic loading and how they can be designed to avoid adverse effects. The module will initially consider relatively simple structures with one or two degrees of freedom, and then move on to numerical techniques for more complex structures. It will also cover some vibration control measures and techniques for vibration measurement and data analysis.

This module is suitable for all Engineering students who have taken the prerequisite ECM2114 Solid Mechanics module.

The module aims to increase your’ depth of understanding of structural dynamics in Engineering, particularly with respect to vibrations of mechanical, aerospace and civil structures. The module will start from fundamental theory and progress to numerical simulations, measurement techniques and methods of structural vibration control. These are aligned to key research activities of the College and hence the teaching will be informed by recent developments in these areas

This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3).

This module contributes to learning outcomes: SM1p-SM3p, SM1m-SM5m, EA1p-EA4p, EA1m-EA4m, EA6m, D4p, D4m, EP1p, EP1m, EP3p, EP3m, EP8p, EP8m, EP9m

A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online: http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/subjects/engineering/accreditation/

The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at http://www.engc.org.uk/

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

Introduction

●     importance of dynamics for structural performance

●     examples of state­of­the­art practice

●     high profile dynamics failures and lessons learned

●     rationalisation of real structures into simpler systems amenable for analysis

Review of theory of single­degree­of­freedom systems

●     components of vibrating systems

●     free vibration response (undamped/damped)

●     forced vibration response (harmonic/transient/arbitrary loads)

Theory of multi­degree­of­freedom systems

●     coupling of equations of motion

●     mathematical modelling of damping

●     modal analysis (calculation of eigenvalues/eigenvectors)

●     free vibration response

●     forced vibration response

Numerical modelling

●     structural idealisation

●     use of commercial FE codes, such as ANSYS

Vibration testing and experimental modal analysis

●     fundamental principles ­ input/output relationships of linear systems

●     curve fitting of frequency response function data

●     testing techniques (excitation methods, instrumentation, procedures)

●     validation of modal test results

●     in­service vibration monitoring and structural performance monitoring

Control of vibrations and energy harvesting

●     inherent damping mechanisms

●     vibration control strategies

●     supplementary damping systems (passive, active, semi­active, hybrid)

●     energy harvesting

All material will be supplemented by real world case studies as appropriate.

Reassessment by examination only

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

●     MATLAB based NDOF software

●     ANSYS tutorials

Other Resources:

●           Laboratory handouts and instrumentation manuals

Reading list for this module: