Modal testing (FRF)

Frequency response function H(f) in the frequency domain and impulse response function h(t) in the time domain are used to describe input-output (force-response) relationships of any system, where signal a(t) and b(t) represent input and output of the physical system. The system is assumed to be linear and time invariant. Frequency response function and impulse response function are so-called system descriptors. They are independent of the signals involved.

In the table below you can see typical frequency response function formulations.

The estimation of the frequency response function depends upon the transformation of data from time to the frequency domain. For this computation, we use the Fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm which is based on a limited time history. The frequency response functions satisfy the following single and multiple input relationships:

Single input relationship

Xp is spectrum of the output, Fp in spectrum of the input and Hpq is frequency response function.

Multiple input relationship

On the picture below we can see an example of a two inputs - two outputs case.

Modal test and analysis are used to determine the engineering structures modal parameters, such as modal frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes. The measured excitation and response (or only response) data are utilized in modal analysis, and then dynamic signal analysis and modal parameters identification are processed. The modal test and analysis has been developed for more than three decades, and a lot of progresses has been made. It has been widely applied to the engineering field, such as the dynamic design, manufacture and maintenance, vibration and noise reduction, vibration control, condition monitoring, fault detection, model updating and model validation.

Modal analysis is needed in every modern construction. The measurement of system parameters, called modal parameters are essential to predict the behavior of a structure.

These modal parameters are needed also for mathematical models. Parameters like resonant frequency(s), structural damping, and mode shapes are experimentally measured and calculated.

The Dewesoft X FRF module is used for analysis of e.g. mechanical structures or electrical systems to determine the transfer characteristic (amplitude and phase) over a certain frequency range.

With the small, handy form factor of the Dewesoft instruments (DEWE-43, SIRIUSi), it is also a smart portable solution for technical consultants coping with failure detection.

The FRF module is included in the DSA package (along with other modules e.g. Order tracking, Torsional vibration, …). Let's assume there is a mechanical structure to be analysed. Where are the resonances? Which frequencies can be problematic and should be avoided? How to measure that and what about the quality of the measurement? Probably the easiest way is exciting the structure using a modal hammer (force input) and acceleration sensors for the measurement of the response (acceleration output). At first the structure is graphically defined in the geometry editor.

Then the points for excitation and response are selected. The test person knocks on the test points while the software collects the data. Next to extracting phase and amplitude, in Analyse mode it is possible to animate the structure for the frequencies of interest. The coherence acts as a measure for the quality. The modal circle provides higher frequency precision and the damping factor.

For more advanced analysis, the data can be exported to several file formats, important is the widely used UFF to read data in e.g. MEScope, N-Modal.

At first we have to assume that the methods described here apply to LTI (linear, time-invariant) systems or systems which come close to that. LTI systems, from applied mathematics, which appear in a lot of technical areas, have the following characteristics:

• Linearity: the relationship between input and output is a linear map (scaled and summed functions at the input will also exist at the output, but with different scaling factors)
• Time-invariant: whether an input is applied to the system now or any time later, it will be identical

Furthermore, the fundamental result in LTI system theory is that any LTI system can be characterized entirely by a single function called system’s impulse response. The output of the system is a convolution of the input to the system with the system’s impulse response.

Transfer functions are widely used in the analysis of systems and the main types are:

• mechanical → excite the structure with a modal hammer or shaker (measure force), measure the response with accelerometers (acceleration)
• electrical → apply a voltage to the circuit on the input, measure the voltage on the output

For example, in mechanical structures the transfer characteristics will show dangerous resonances. The frequency range, where the stress of the material is too high, has to be avoided, e.g. by specifying a limited operating range. The simplified process works like that: an input signal is applied to the system and the output signal is measured. The division of response to excitation basically gives the transfer function

In time-domain, this is described in the following way:

Laplace transformation leads to the result in frequency domain:

On the picture below we can see a diagram of Laplace transform, which is often interpreted as a transformation from the time-domain (inputs and outputs are functions of time) to the frequency-domain (inputs and outputs are functions of complex angular frequency), in radians per unit time. Given a simple mathematical or functional description of an input or output to a system, the Laplace transform provides an alternative functional description that often simplifies the process of analysing the behavior of the system, or in synthesizing a new system based on a set of specifications.

How to obtain the transfer function

1. Mechanical structure
   • Excite the structure with modal hammer or shaker (measure force)
   • Measure the response with accelerometers (acceleration)
2. Electrical circuit
   • Apply a voltage to the circuit on the input
   • Measure the voltage on the output of the circuit
3. Calculate the transfer function between the measured input and output of the system
4. Calculate the coherence function. If the coherence is 1 measured response is the power caused totally by the measured input power. If the coherence is less than one at any frequency it indicates that the measured response is greater than due to measured input (additional noise).

FRF module needs to be enabled in Add module. Click on the Modal Test.

Modal test setup screen appears:

Operation modes

Depending on the application Dewesoft X offers basically two different types of setup:

• Triggered - for excitation an impulse is used (=wide frequency spectrum) - modal hammer
• Free run - the structure is excited by a shaker (or the engine rpm is varied), which sweeps through the frequencies (e.g. 10...1000 Hz)

The easiest test consists of the modal hammer, which is used for exciting the structure with a short impulse (= wide frequency spectrum) and an acceleration sensor measuring the response. The hammer has a force sensor integrated with the tip, the tip ends are interchangeable. For bigger structures, there are big hammers available with more mass to generate a distinct amplitude.

We have to know that a hard tip generates a wider excitation spectrum, therefore, we will get a better result (coherence) for the higher frequencies. On the other side, with a hard tip double-hits appear more frequently.

The two pictures below show the comparison. The scopes on the top show time-domain, FFTs below show frequency domain (same scaling).

hard tip (low damping)	soft tip (high damping)

When you have set the calculation type to “Triggered (FRF)”, the setup looks like the one shown below.

On the left side, specify the excitation (modal hammer) and on the right side the response(s) (acceleration sensor(s)). For the following examples we have named the two analog channels “exc” and “resp”.

FRF Channel Setup inside Dewesoft X Data Acquisition Software

Let's do a short measurement to explain all the parameters. The structure is hit once and the signals are measured.

The hammer signal (upper, blue line) shows a clean shock impact with about 2500 N peak and high damping while the response (lower, red line) starts ringing and smoothly fades out.

Trigger level

The FRF module needs a start criteria in triggered mode, therefore we specify a trigger level of e.g. 2000 N. Each time the input signal overshoots the trigger level, the FRF calculation (FFT window) will start.

Double hit level

However, when the input signal shows multiple impulses after one hit (so called “double hit”), Dewesoft X can identify this if you specify a double hit level. When the signal crosses the double-hit-level shortly after the trigger event, you will get a warning message and can repeat this point.

Overload level

You can also enable a warning which will be displayed when the hammer impact has exceeded a certain overload level - when the hit was too strong.

The following picture summarizes the different trigger level options.

Now that we have defined the trigger condition, we should ensure that the FRF calculation covers our whole signal to get a good result.

Window length

Let's assume the sample rate of our example is 10 000 Hz and we have set 8192 lines in the FRF setup.

According to Nyquist, we can only measure up to half of the sample rate (5000 Hz) or the other way round, we need at least 2 samples per frequency line. So, our frequency resolution is:

The whole FFT window calculation time (window length) is:

To see the section which is used for FRF calculation, add a 2D graph...

… then add the two channels “exc/Data History” and “resp/Data History”.

Below you see the cutout data section of excitation and response signal, which covers pretty much the whole signal.

Note, that the x-axis is scaled in samples (from -819 to 15565, which gives total 16 384 samples).

Pretrigger

The pretrigger time is set to default by 5%. From the screenshot above you can see that 5% of 16 384 samples is 819 samples, which equals t pre = 819 * (1/10 000 Hz) = 81,9 ms. At sample 0 the trigger occurs.

In most of the cases acceleration sensors, microphones, modal hammers or other force transducers are used for analog input. If they are e.g. voltage or ICP/IEPE type, they are connected directly to the ACC amplifier of the SIRIUS data acquisition system, or DEWE-43/MINITAUR DAQ systems with Dewesoft smart sensor interface DSI adapter (DSI-ACC). 

When analog output is needed (for shaker control), the SIRIUS analog out option (8 channels with BNC connector on the rear side of the SIRIUS DAQ system) provides a full-grown arbitrary function generator.

For an easier start Dewesoft X offers auto-generated displays, which already come with the most often used instruments and an arrangement that makes sense for the according type of application.

With the FRF option and 1 module added, usually when switching to measure mode, there should already appear a screen with a small toothwheel, called “Modal Test”.

If that is not the case, please go to Settings → Project setup... → Displays → and enable the “Automatically generate displays” checkbox. Then add a new FRF module. - With triggered setup (modal hammer), the screen should look like this:

The excitation and response sections each consist of two 2D graph instruments (scope and FFT) showing array data of hammer (red) and accelerometer signal (blue). The Info channel will show the current point or events such as double hit. The Control buttons are used for going from one point to the next, or cancelling and repeating a point if the result was not satisfying. The OVL display shows if the impact or response signals are too high, exceeding the physical input range of the amplifier. The FRF Geometry is already animated in the current point during measurement. Two further 2D graphs on the right side show transfer function and coherence.

FRF info channels

There are additional channels provided by the FRF module, which give status information during the measurement. To display them, please add an Discrete display in Design mode:

The channels “Info” and “OVLChannel” can be assigned to it. OVLChannel will only be displayed if the according option has been enabled first.

FRF control channels

• During triggered measurement, after one point is finished, you can continue by pressing the “Next point” button.
• If you are unsatisfied with the last hit, you can cancel it by using “Reject last”.
• If all hits for the whole point are incorrect, e.g. if you hit on a point with a wrong number, with “Reset point” you can delete all the hits done for the current point at once.

All the actions are done using “control channels” in Dewesoft X. These can be modified during measurement. To change it manually, you need to pick the “input control display” from the instrument toolbar. Set it to Control Channel and Push button. Channels “Reject last”, “Next point” and “Reset point” can now be assigned from the channel list on the right.

When you exit the design mode, you are able to press the buttons.

Excitation window length

You can separately adjust the window length of excitation and response in order to reduce the influence of noise appearing after the event of interest. The “excitation window length” setting is valid for the excitation signal (modal hammer hit). Per default 100% is selected, all of the acquired data will be taken for calculation (all 16 384 samples in our example, the whole shown range).

The excitation FFT is of rectangular window type. In our case the damping is very high (signal fades out quickly), therefore we can select a smaller portion of the signal, e.g. 10 % (usually you would define a noise level first to determine it).

The rest of the signal will be cut out completely.

Response window decay

The response FFT is exponential window type. When the response signal is fading out slowly (low damping), the user can specify a certain time after which the signal is faded to zero (exponential decay function). This helps to reduce noise at low amplitudes and shortens the measurement time. The picture below shows how the response window is decayed when different percentages are selected in Dewesoft X.

Averaging of hits

The result can be improved by averaging the excitation and response spectrum over a number of impacts. Therefore, the first e.g. 5 hits will be recognized and taken into calculation, then you move on to the next point.

When all acceleration sensors are mounted, the structure is excited at one point by the modal hammer (average over a number of hits can also be done of course).

1 excitation, 1 response

In this operation mode, there is one acceleration sensor mounted in a fixed position on the structure. The modal hammer is moving through the points (e.g. doing 5 hits in each point, which are averaged). This is the easiest test and requires only one hammer and one sensor.

The hammer is always exciting the structure at the same position. Now the acceleration sensor is moved to different positions. The disadvantage of this setup is, that the mass of the acceleration sensor changes the structure differently in every point, therefore, influences the measurement (this effect is called “mass loading”). Also between each measurement the sensor has to be mounted again, which results in a lot of work.

When doing a frequency sweep and measuring the responses, you have the advantage that the coherence will be much better over the whole frequency range compared with a triggered setup. Of course, you are facing a more extensive setup in terms of hardware, you'll probably need a shaker (and a shaker controller, which keeps the amplitude constant over the frequency range). The ODS (operational deflection shapes) is a very special form of FRF, using only accelerometers. The channel setup of a typical free-run FRF is shown below.

The FFT windowing section is similar to triggered FRF. You should ensure that the sweep is slow enough because the FFT needs some time for calculation (number of lines, resolution). Again, on the left we have the excitation and on the right side response channels. If you enable the “Use function generator” checkbox, the FGEN settings Waveform, Start frequency and Stop frequency and the “AO channel” column in the excitation section will also be visible. These settings are the same as in the Analog out section (function generator).

Furthermore, you can adjust here the sweep time and amplitude/phase settings, if you enter the Setup of the according channel (AO 1 in our example). On the right side, you can tick the checkbox “Show info channels”, e.g. seeing the current frequency during sweep is very helpful.

When you switch to Measure mode or press the Store button, the sweep will start. In comparison with the triggered measurement our excitation(s) and response(s) will in most of the cases consist now of sine waves, with distinct amplitude and phase shift.

When using a sine sweep, as the sweep moves through the frequencies, the bode plots will be updated. Putting the “AO/Freq” channel on a separate display is a good way to show the current frequency.

The picture above shows two 2D graph instruments with transfer functions 2-1 and 3-1 (amplitude on top and the phase below) during a sweep. The left side is already calculated while the right side is ongoing.

The usual application for the free-run option is on a shaker. If the shaker is externally controlled, we can measure back the excitation signal (with a force sensor) and use it as a reference. Of course, it would also be possible to use an engine instead of the shaker and analyse the transfer functions during runup or coast down.

If we tick „Use function generator“, the FRF module accesses the FGEN section (requires Analog output option on Dewesoft instrument (AO)). It generates now e.g. a sine sweep from 10 to 1000 Hz. The shaker controller guarantees a defined amplitude over all frequencies. With the force sensor, we measure back the excitation force. Please consider that Dewesoft X will not do the shaker control (control loop for amplitude), because of speed limitations. Practically a shaker control device (“shaker control” box in an above picture) will be used in between.

In ODS analysis (ODS = operational deflection shapes) the structure is only excited by the machine, like in real operation, whenever it is not possible to vary the excitation frequency. Operating Deflection Shape (ODS) is the simplest way to see how a machine or structure moves during its operation, at a specific frequency or moment in time. There are only accelerometers used. Inside Dewesoft X's Modal test module, one of the acceleration sensors has to be defined as excitation (this one is the reference, normalized to 1), the others as a response. Animation can be displayed as usual but only makes sense in areas with good coherence.

When you open the Modal test module, select ODS as the Test method. On the left side (Reference channel) select the reference accelerometer. Other accelerometers are added on the right side (Response channels).

In you want to group your sensors and move them during the measurement, select option Roving response.

This will create different groups and you can manually select the sensors in the same group or change group names.

During the measurement you can switch between the groups.

In the experimental modal analysis (EMA), the structures are excited by artificial forces and both the inputs (excitation) and outputs (response) are measured to get the frequency response functions (FRF) or impulse response functions (IRF) by digital signal processing. Modal parameters can be identified from FRF or IRF by identification algorithms in the frequency domain or the time domain. EMA tests are usually carried out in the lab, with the advantage of high signal to noise ration (SNR) and easy to change test status.

EMA identification methods can be classified into a time domain (TD) methods and frequency domain (FD) methods according to different identification domain. Also, they can be classified according to a different number of input and output:

• SISO (single input single output),
• SIMO (single input multiple outputs),
• MIMO (multiple inputs multiple outputs).

The FRF is generally utilized for the EMA in the frequency domain, which is estimated from the excitation and response signals. Then the modal parameters are identified by constructing the parametric or nonparametric models of the FRF and curve fitting them. The IRF is generally utilized for the EMA in the time domain. It can be obtained from the inverse FFT of FRF.

Time domain methods are suitable for the global analysis in a broad frequency band, which have good numeric stability. However, there are some limitations too:

• very difficult to confirm the order of math model,
• always time-consuming,
• many calculation modes got with the structural modes and difficult to delete them,
• many settings needed, complicated-to-use,
• not being able to take into account the influence of out-band modes.

On the opposite side, frequency domain methods are always reliable, rapid, easy-to-use, with the capacity to consider the out-band modes and analysis uneven spaced FRFs, so they are applied widely.

Operational modal analysis is used for large civil engineering structures, operating machinery or other structures, making use of their output response only. These structures are always loaded by natural loads that cannot easily be controlled and measured, for instance, waves load (offshore structures), the wind loads (buildings) or traffic loads (bridges).

Compared with EMA, OMA has its outstanding advantages. In OMA, the structure studied, is excited by natural loads instead of some expensive excitation equipments as used in EMA. In fact, it is very difficult to excite large structures by artificial means. So OMA is more economic and fast, and endowed by nature with characteristics of multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO). It could be used to distinguish closely coupled modes. Moreover, all the measured responses come under operational state of structures, and their real dynamic characteristics in operation could be revealed, so OMA is very suitable for health monitoring and damage detection of large-scale structures.

In Dewesoft X, you can quickly draw simple structures, as well as import more complex ones. Cartesian and cylindrical coordinate system are supported, which is great for drawing circular objects.

The index numbers defined in the channel setup before are used as Point numbers in the geometry for animation.

The Index numbers defined in the channel setup before are used as Point numbers in the geometry for animation.

In Design mode, we add the “FRF Geometry” instrument. Then you can either load a UNV (universal file format) geometry file or create your own.

Importing a structure

There are two ways of importing a UNV / UFF (universal file format) geometry of other software (e.g. MEScope or Femap) into Dewesoft X. Of course, you can also import a geometry that was drawn in Dewesoft X's FRF Editor before. We support the newer “2411” format. From the properties of the FRF geometry instrument on the left select “Load UNV,”, or go to the Editor and do it there.

Drawing a structure

We will now use the editor to create a simple quadratic shape.

Cartesian coordinates

At first you can choose between Cartesian or Cylindrical coordinate system (see the two buttons below). Cartesian is a default, so just add points with the “+” button, then enter coordinates. Keep in mind that the excitation direction was defined in FRF channel setup before (in our examples Z+), therefore, Z is up, the hammer hits from a top down.

You can define nodes (=points), then add trace lines between them by selecting from the pop-up...

… and use Triangles or Quads to optimize visualisation. Then save the structure.

When adding trace lines, you can also use Line Strip. With this function, we can add lines faster - just click with the mouse right button on the first node and then on the second node - the line between marked nodes will be drawn.

Cylindrical coordinates

And here is an example how to create a cylindrical structure using the cylindrical coordinate system. You have to specify the Center point CS, radius R, angle theta T, and height Z.

Cartesian and cylindrical CS can be combined in one geometry.

It has always been a big question when it comes to importing a more complex geometry into the Dewesoft X's FRF geometry editor for modal analysis.

It seems not many CAD software support the “export” to UNV; actually it’s a process of “finite element meshing”, calculating the polygons.

Here you can find a freeware-converter GMSH from e.g. STL-to-UNV ( http://geuz.org/gmsh/ ).

You can download the program by clicking on a link: http://geuz.org/gmsh/bin/Windows/gmsh-2.8.5-Windows.zip

After downloading it, open the program.

Then you can open any STL file.

The geometry will be seen in GMSH program.

The click on Save as

and choose *.unv file format and rename the file to .unv.

After that, the importing of geometry in Dewesoft X in the same as it is described on the previous page.

All the nodes and triangles are defined in .unv file format.

Geometry is now ready to be used for modal animation.

For the following explanation of parameters a triggered FRF was done on a snowboard structure. All 39 excitation points were sequentially hit by the modal hammer and related to 1 accelerometer placed in the center.

Only 1 hammer and 1 sensor were used!

From the channel list on the right side, we see that each point (#1, #2, #3, …) is related to the reference point (#20). For each excitation point, a transfer function was calculated, e.g. TF_20Z+/1Z+.

A transfer function consist of amplitude and phase part or real and imaginary part. The 2D graph is the instrument to use, there you can select what you want to display by using the properties from the left side.

To make a bode plot, use two 2D graphs below each other. The above one shows the amplitude (y axis type: LOG), the lower one the phase (y axis type: LIN).

When the amplitude of the transfer function shows a local maximum, and the phase is turning at this point, it usually indicates a resonance. But to avoid an erroneous statement, other parameters have to be checked as well!

The coherence is used to check the correlation between output spectrum and input spectrum. So you can estimate the power transfer between input and output of a linear system. It shows how well the input and output are related to each other.

Autospectrum

Autospectrum is a function commonly explored both in signal and system analysis. It is computed from the instantaneous (Fourier) spectrum as:

There is a new, fundamental function - cross spectrum - in the dual channel processing. It is computed from instantaneous spectra of both channels. All other functions are computed during post-processing from the cross spectrum and the two auto spectrums - all functions are the functions of frequency.

Cross spectrum

Based on complex instantaneous spectrum A(f) and B(f), the cross spectrum SAB (from A to B) is defined as:

Amplitude of the cross spectrum SAB is the product of amplitudes, its phase is the difference of both phases (from A to B). Cross spectrum SBA (from B to A) has the same amplitude, but opposite phase. The phase of the cross spectrum is the phase of the system as well.

Both auto spectra and cross spectrum can be defined either as two-sided (notation SAA, SBB, SAB, SBA) or as one-sided (notation GAA, GBB, GAB, GBA). One-sided spectrum is obtained from the two-sided one as:

The cross spectrum itself has little importance, but it is used to compute other functions. Its amplitude |GAB| indicates the extent to which the two signals correlate as the function of frequency and phase angle <GAB indicates the phase shift between the two signals as the function of frequency. The advantage of the cross spectrum is that influence of noise can be reduced by averaging. That is because the phase angle of the noise spectrum takes random values so that the sum of those several random spectra tends to zero. It can be seen that the measured auto spectrum is a sum of the true auto spectrum and auto spectrum of noise, whilst the measured cross spectrum is equal to the true cross spectrum.

Coherence

Coherence function γ indicates the degree of a linear relationship between two signals as a function of frequency. It is defined by two auto spectra (GAA, GBB) and a cross spectrum (GAB) as:

At each frequency coherence can be taken as a correlation coefficient (squared) which expresses the degree of linear relationship between two variables, where the magnitudes of auto spectra correspond to variances of those two variables and the magnitude of cross-spectrum corresponds to covariance.

Coherence value varies from zero to one. Zero means no relationship between the input A and output B, whilst one means a perfectly linear relationship.

There are four possible relationships between input A and output B:

Perfectly linear relationship	Sufficiently linear relationship with a slight scatters caused by noise
Non-linear relationship	No relationship

Low values indicate a weak relation (when the excitation spectrum has gaps at certain frequencies), values close to 1 show a representative measurement.

That means when the transfer function shows a peak, but the coherence is low (red circles in the picture below), it must not necessarily be a real resonance. Maybe the measurement has to be repeated (with different hammer tip), or you can additionally look for the MIF parameter.

Coherence is a Vector channel, and therefore displayed with a 2D graph instrument.

The coherence is calculated separately for each point (e.g. Coherence_3Z/1Z, Coherence_4Z/1Z, …).

In the case of no averaging, coherence is always equal to 1. In the case of averaging and samples GAB influenced by noise, deviations in the phase angles cause that the resulting magnitude |GAB| is lower than it would be without presence of noise (see the picture below). Presence of non-linearity has similar influence.

If all parts of a structure are moving sinusoidally with the same frequency (fixed phase relations), this motion is called normal mode. This happens at resonance or natural frequencies. Depending on the structure, material and bounding conditions there exist a number of mode shapes (e.g. twisting, bending, half-period, full-period movement...).

These are usually found out by finite elements simulation software, or by experimental measurement and analysis.

When the amplitude of the transfer function shows a local maximum, and the phase is turning at this point, it usually indicates a resonance. To be sure, also the Coherence should be checked as described before. And last, you can look for the MIF (=Mode Indicator Function).

An MIF close to 1 indicates a mode shape.

The spikes shown in the picture below are very likely resonance frequencies. Just click on them and check the movement in the geometry instrument.

MIF is a Vector channel, and therefore also displayed with a 2D graph instrument.

The MIF is calculated from all transfer functions (all points), therefore, is only one channel.

The FRF animation is done by putting sine functions with the amplitudes and phases from the measurement into the geometry model points. The animation is done in one direction (in our example Z+). You can animate the structure for a single frequency, which can be chosen in the 2D graph, when setting the Cursor type to “Channel cursor”, as shown below. All FRF instruments will follow the channel cursor.

Other than that, the frequency can also be chosen manually in the FRF geometry properties on the left.

Different parameters like animation speed and amplitude (scale), as well as the visibility (nodes, point numbers, traces, shapes, coordinate system axes) can be changed here.

Here are some of the mode shapes of the snowboard calculated by Dewesoft X FRF (you can nicely see bending and twisting).

Finally, when you are certain that the point you are looking at is a resonance, you might want to get its exact frequency and damping factor. As the FFT can never be that precise (high line resolution needs long calculation time, which is not given when there is a hammer impact), there are some mathematical methods to interpolate.

The method Dewesoft X is using, is based on the well-known circle-fit principle. The FFT lines to the right and left side of a peak (so called “neighbour lines”) are drawn by real and imaginary part in the complex coordinate system. A circle is aligned between them with minimum error to each point and the resonance frequency is approximated.

Circle fit analysis procedure

The geometrical interpretation of the formula for the mobility FRF of damped SDOF system is a plot of Im(Y) vs. Re(Y) for ω = 0 → ∞ will trace out a circle of radius 1/(2 c) with its centre located at ( Re(Y ) = 1/(2 c) , Im(Y ) = 0 ). The picture below shows the mobility FRF of damped SDOF system (Amplitude) and the Nyquist plot on the right side.

The selected point in the FRF curve should not be influenced by neighboring modes. The circe arc should be around 270 degree.

The phase of the FRF curve should change for around 270 degree. This is often not possible and a span of less then 180 degree is more usual.

At the end of the procedure to fit the circle, the center and the radius of the circle are specified. The damping ratio is calculated using different point in the circle - one below and one above resonance.

Imagine that we had a sample rate of 2000 Hz, and 1024 FFT lines, resulting in a line resolution of 0.977 Hz. The peak, that we are looking at, is at 73,2 Hz. But it could be in the range of 73,2 Hz ± 0,977 Hz.In the example below we switched the 2D graph “Graph type” property to “histogram” to make the FFT lines visible.

We add the Modal circle from the instrument toolbar. The 2D graph is again in “cursor” mode, the modal circle instrument will follow. – By clicking on the peak, at first no resonance peak is found.

Then we increase the “Peak search” range from 10 Hz to 20 Hz. The peak is found and by changing the neighbour count you can select how many FFT lines left and right from the peak are taken into calculation. The points should all be aligned nicely on a circle. The red dot shows the calculation result, which should be near the center.

Our final result shows 72,775 Hz and a damping factor of 0,038. With these parameters, one can proceed further in simulation software.

After the measurement is done the data can be exported to a lot of different file formats, e.g. UNV/UFF, Diadem, Matlab, Excel, Text... The transfer function can be separately exported by Real, Imag, Ampl or Phase part, whatever you prefer.

In MS Excel, for example, the transfer function data will appear on a sheet called “Single value”. For each transfer function, Real/Imag/Ampl/Phase is exported.

If you prefer it differently, data rows and columns can simply be exchanged in MS Excel by copying and using the “Transpose” function from the submenu when pasting.

The Universal File Format (also known as UFF or UNV format) is very common in modal analysis. Depending on the header, it can contain either transfer functions, coherence, geometry, ... or various other data.

The following example shows how to export data recorded by Dewesoft X into Vibrant Technologies ME Scope analysis software and how to display it there.

1. First, choose the “UNV export” from the export section and the option Export complex channels if you want to export phase, real and imaginary part.
2. Then select all your transfer functions (you can use the Filter and type “TF” for simplification). When clicking on the Export button you will create a UNV datafile.

   

3. In FRF, the geometry editor saves the structure also in UNV format. This creates the UNV geometry file.
4. 
   

5. 

6. Start a software that can import UNV files(like ME Scope, N-Modal, ...) and click File → Import → Data block. Select the UNV datafile.

   

7. The transfer functions are already recognized.

   

8. Then click File → Import → Structure and select the UNV geometry file.

   

9. Now both data and geometry are successfully imported. Let's try to animate it, select Draw → Animate Shapes.
10. 

11. A pop up appears, and we select to match structure and transfer data. Equations are created.

    
    
12. Finally, you can select a peak on a transfer function and enjoy the animation.

    

As the triggered measurement might be difficult to understand, this section shows how to use the mentioned controls and tools step-by-step.

Let's say we want to analyse this metal sheet structure. At first we define the direction of analysis (orientation up/down, Z axis), then we put it on a soft rubber foam that it can vibrate freely. Of course, hanging it with rubber bands from the roof would be better but would also take more time to wait for each point until the ringing fades out; for now we are fine with it.

Then mark equidistant points, in our case from #1 to #24. The higher the number of points, the more detailed the animation will be. It is also helpful to write numbers next to the points. They should be consistent with structure, channel setup and FRF geometry in software.

The hammer will move through the points, so in one point an accelerometer has to be mounted. We select point #12.

1. We define the sampling rate with 5000 Hz. Name the hammer and accelerometer in the channel setup and apply the scaling. In our case, both are of IEPE type, hammer is measuring the force in N, accelerometer acceleration in g. Then go into the channel setup of the hammer. 
2. Do a test impact with the hammer on the structure. In the scope, preview memorizes the max value. 
3. In Modal test setup choose the Triggered FRF type and use “roving hammer” option. The trigger level should be set somewhere below the max value of the pre-measurement just done, e.g. 1 N. We will do 3 hits at each point, which are then averaged. The FFT window size is 2048, which gives a good line resolution of 1.22 Hz. - Note, that point #12 is missing on the left side, it will not be hit during measurement because the accelerometer is mounted there. 
4. Now that the points are defined, it is time for drawing the structure. When you switch to measure mode, usually you should have an auto-generated screen called “Modal test”. There the FRF geometry instrument is already shown (x,y,z axis display). From the left side (properties) select “Editor” and add 24 points and their coordinates. You can draw trace lines between them and finally quads (shapes) between them. - Take care, that the excitation direction Z is upright and should have the same level of all points of this structure. 
5. Now it's time for a test hit, and finalizing the display arrangement. In measure mode, – without storing, – you can do a test hit, to fill the displays with signals. Immediately the structure will be animated to the first point. If the auto-generated screen does not look like below, you might have to assign the channels to the instruments. The idea is showing the excitation (blue box) on the left and response (red box) on the right. Use the Scope and FFT signals of the “Current point” subsection in the channel list. They are marked red because only available during the measurement. - On the two displays in the lower right section you could use TF and Coherence. 
6. To be absolutely sure that your sampling rate and FFT lines settings are correct, you can add two 2D graphs and show the “hammer/Data History” and “acc/Data History”. This is the window used for calculation. Your whole signals should be covered. If the structure keeps on ringing and the response signal is cut, increase the window length (use a higher line resolution or lower sampling rate) or select a lower value for the “Response window decay” parameter. 
7. Now we are ready for the measurement. Start storing and do 3 hits on point #1. The scope and FFT graphs will be updated after each hit, so you can visually check for double-hits or “bad” hits and reject them. If you hit the wrong point, you can also reset the whole point. After clicking the “Next point” button, the point number increases, always showing you the current transfer function (e.g. 12-1, 12-2, …).
   The procedure can also be described by a flow chart: 
8. When finished, go to Analyse mode. Automatically the last stored file is reloaded. Now you might want to modify the screen for further investigation. The screen below gives an idea. It shows the first four transfer functions (TF12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4) with amplitude and phase. Below the MIF is shown for easily finding the mode shapes. Just click on the peaks (with the instrument set to Channel cursor mode), on the lower right side, the modal circle calculates the exact frequency and damping. 
9. Here are some of the mode shapes animated. 

This is a practical example showing free-run FRF. The Analog out of the SIRIUS instrument (FGEN) is connected to an audio amplifier which drives a loudspeaker. On the membrane, a metal structure (metal beam) is mounted on a force transducer (excitation) and two acceleration sensors (responses).

1. In the Analog section, we define our force sensor and the two accelerometers. They are all of IEPE type. As we want to analyse our structure up to 1000 Hz, we select a sampling rate of e.g. 5000 Hz. 
2. Next we add an FRF module and choose “Use a function generator”. A window size of 1024 lines results in a nice resolution of 2.44 Hz. We select a sine sweep from 1 to 1000 Hz. The index numbers 1, 2 and 3 are entered according to the structure, direction is Z+ for all. 
3. Also, check the Analog out section. Start and stop frequency are already copied from the FRF module. We adjust the sweep time (120 seconds) and amplitude (1 V) for now. Startup time and fall time is 0.1 s by default, which prohibits sudden crackles, that could result in wide-spectrum noise at beginning and end of measurement. 
4. Now we are ready for drawing the structure. Go to measure mode, the screen “Modal test” should be autogenerated. Click on the FRF geometry instrument and select “Editor” from the left side. Then add 3 points with the + button, example coordinates as shown below. Then save the structure by clicking on File → Save UNV... 
5. Now we are ready for measurement. When you click the store button, the FGEN will start, the AO will sweep from 1 to 1000 Hz. The transfer functions will smoothen from left to right side, here you see a snapshot currently at 357 Hz. 
6. Finally, we can look at the result. The coherence of both channels related to the excitation looks very nice. The green line (MIF) indicates mode shapes, click on the peaks and the structure will be animated.