UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE

Aeroelasticity
Structural Dynamics Coursework

Dr Y Xu

11/29/2013
10227333 APS5

This is a simple modal analysis of a beam simulating a model airplane wing as shown below. The solid
cantilever beam of rectangular cross-section is tapered in both the chord-wise and span-wise
directions across its length of 1.5m. The depth of the beam tapers from 0.02m at its fixed end to
0.005m at its free end. The width of the beam tapers from 0.3m at the fixed end to 0.1m at the free
end. The beam is made of a high strength aluminium alloy with the Young’s modulus E=70 GPa,
Poisson’s ratio =0.33, and the material density =2700kg/m3.

Rayleigh-Ritz method

(1) Use the Rayleigh-Ritz method to obtain approximate values for the first and second natural
frequencies of the beam under flexural free vibrations. Choose a polynomial function given in the
lecture notes for “Structural Dynamics” as the assumed modes for the calculation. The beam will be
divided evenly along its length. The minimum number of segments for the task is five. Trapezoidal
rule, Simpson’s rule, and Lagrange’s interpolation formula are equally valid in deriving the weighting
matrix for this task.

Dividing the beam evenly along its length in 5 segments

1.5
Interval between each segments (d) = 5
= 0.3m

Let the distance from the fixed end to the tip of the beam be (x)

Then, x0 = 0, x1 = 0.3, x2 = 0.6, x3 = 0.9, x4 = 1.2, x5 = 1.5

Rayleigh-Ritz method involves the use of assumed modes

Let us select as the assumed modes the polynomial function given by:
𝑥 4 𝑥 1 𝑥
V1(x) = 2( 𝑙 ) 2 - 3( 𝑙 ) 3 + 3( 𝑙 ) 4 1
10 𝑥 3 10 𝑥 4 𝑥 5
V2(x) = ( )
3 𝑙
- ( ) + (𝑙 )
3 𝑙
2

If the beam is divided into 5 equal segments, we have 6 spanwise stations, including the root, and the
assumed lateral displacement at any given time may be represented by the matrix equation:

̅̅̅1 + {V2}𝑞
{Φ} = {V1}𝑞 ̅̅̅2 3

Where Φ, V1 and V2 are the column matrices with 6 elements representing values Φ(x), V1(x) and V2(x)
at 6 spanwise stations respectively. Substituting the value of (x) in the polynomial function gives:
0 0
0.06986 0.02165
0.24320 0.13824
{V1} = {V1} =
0.47520 0.36576
0.733386 0. .66901
[ 1 ] [ 1 ]

1
10227333 APS5

The matrix [V] is formed as:

0 0.06986 0.24320 0.47520 0.733896 1

[V] = [ ]
0 0.02170 0.13824 0.36576 0.669013 1

The transpose of above function is given by [V]T

0 0
0.06986 0.02170
0.24320 0.13824
[V]T =
0.47520 0.36576
0.733896 0.669013
[ 1 1 ]

Now,

𝑑2 𝑣 1 𝑥 𝑥
[ 𝑑𝑥 21] = 𝑙2 [(4 – 8( 𝑙 ) + 4( 𝑙 )2 ] 4

𝑑2 𝑣 1 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
[ 𝑑𝑥 22] = 𝑙2
[20 ( 𝑙 ) – 40( 𝑙 )2 + 20( 𝑙 )3] 5

1.7 0
1.137 1.137
𝑑 2 𝑣1 (𝑥) 0.64 𝑑 2 𝑣2 (𝑥) 1.28
[ ]= [ ]=
𝑑𝑥 2 0.284 𝑑𝑥 2 0.853
0.071 0.284
[ 0 ] [ 0 ]

𝑑2 𝑉
The matrix of [𝑑𝑥 2 ] is formed as:

𝑑2 𝑉 1.7 1.137 0.64 0.284 0.071 0

[𝑑𝑥 2 ] =[ ]
0 1.137 1.28 0.853 0.284 0

𝑑2𝑉 𝑑2 𝑉
The transpose matrix of [𝑑𝑥 2 ] is given by [𝑑𝑥 2 ]T

1.7 0
1.137 1.137
𝑑2 𝑉 T 0.64 1.28
[𝑑𝑥 2 ] =
0.284 0.853
0.071 0.284
[ 0 0 ]

The mass matrix [m] is a diagonal matrix representing the mass per unit length at the 6 spanwise
stations. To calculate the mass of the beam at each section, the cross section area (A) of the station is
multiplied by the density of the beam (ρ).

[m] = A x ρ 6

2
10227333 APS5

To calculate the Cross section area of the beam, the depth and the width of the beam is needed which
varies due to the beam being double tapered. Since the beam is divided equally in 5 segments creating
6 spanwise stations, we calculate the depth of each station as:
0.02−0.05
Interval = 5
= 0.003

The depth of the beam is decreasing at 0.003m interval spanwise at (xn)

Therefore, the depth of the beam at each station = 0.02 - 0.003n 7

Where (n) = the no of station, In this case n = 0,1,2,3,4,5,6

Using equation 7, we can calculate the depth of each substation at 0.003m interval

d0 = 0.02m, d1 = 0.017m, d2 = 0.014m, d3 = 0.011m, d4 =0.008m, d5 = 0.005m

Similarly, we calculate the base of the stations as:

0.3−0.1
Interval = 5
= 0.04m

The base of the beam is decreasing at 0.04m interval spanwise at (xn)

Therefore, the base of the beam at each station = 0.3-0.04n 8

Using equation 8, we calculate the base of each substation at 0.04m interval

b0 = 0.3m, b1 = 0.26m, b2 = 0.22m, b3 = 0.18m, b4 = 0.14m, b5 = 0.1m

Now, to calculate the cross section area (A)

An = bn x dn 9

Therefore,

A0 = 0.006m2 A3 = 0.00198m2

A1 = 0.00442m2 A4 = 0.00112m2

A2 = 0.00308m2 A5 = 0.00005m2

3
10227333 APS5

Hence using equation 6 we can obtain the [m] matrix

16.2000 0 0 0 0 0
0 11.9340 0 0 0 0
0 0 8.3160 0 0 0
[m] =
0 0 0 5.3460 0 0
0 0 0 0 3.0240 0
[ 0 0 0 0 0 1.3500]

̅) we use Lagrange’s interpolation formula for n = 5

To derive the weighting matrix (𝑤

19 0 0 0 0 0
0 75 0 0 0 0
5𝑑 0 0 50 0 0 0
̅) =
(𝑤 x
288 0 0 0 50 0 0
0 0 0 0 75 0
[0 0 0 0 0 19]

Where (d) is the interval between segments.

0.0990 0 0 0 0 0
0 0.3906 0 0 0 0
0 0 0.2604 0 0 0
̅) =
(𝑤
0 0 0 0.2604 0 0
0 0 0 0 0.3906 0
[ 0 0 0 0 0 0.0990]

The rigidity matrix (EI) is a product of the Young’s modulus of elasticity (E) and the second moment of
area of the beam (I) about its neutral axis at six spanwise stations:
3
𝑏𝑛 𝑑𝑛
I= 12
10

Where (bn) is the base and (dn) is the depth of each station

14000 0 0 0 0 0
0 7451.38 0 0 0 0
0 0 3521.5 0 0 0
EI =
0 0 0 1397.6 0 0
0 0 0 0 4181.02 0
[ 0 0 0 0 0 7291.67]

The characteristics equation is given by:

𝑑2 𝑣 𝑑2 𝑣
𝜔2 [𝑉][𝑚][𝑤
̅][V]T{𝑞̅} = [𝑑𝑥 2][EI][𝑤
̅] [𝑑𝑥 2] {𝑞̅} 11

Now, substituting all the values of matrix in the equation 11 we get:

1.1502 0.9685 ̅̅̅

𝑞1 3
4.6056 × 103 ] [̅̅̅
𝑞1
𝜔2 [ ] [̅̅̅ ] = [8.1725 × 103 ]
0.9685 0.8374 𝑞2 4.6056 × 10 5.5434 × 10 3 ̅̅̅
𝑞 2

2 2 𝑞1
̅̅̅
[1.1502𝜔2 − 8172.5 0.9685𝜔2 − 4605.6] [̅̅̅
𝑞
]=0 12
0.9685𝜔 − 4605.6 0.8374𝜔 − 5543.4 2

4
10227333 APS5

The only non-trivial solution for the above equation 12 is when q ≠ 0

Therefore, taking the determinant of the above equation:

(1.1502𝜔2 − 8172.5)×( 0.8374𝜔2 − 5543.4) – (0.9685𝜔2 − 4605.6)×( 0.9685𝜔2 − 4605.6) = 0

0.02518523𝜔4 – 4298.62298𝜔2 + 24091885.14 = 0 13

Using the quadratic equation:

−𝑏±√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
𝜔2 = 2𝑎
14

− (−4298.62298)±√(−4298.62298)2 −4(0.02518523)(24091885.14)
𝜔2 = 2(0.02518523)

4298.62298±4006.38501
𝜔2 =
0.05037046

The first two natural frequencies of the beam are:

𝜔12 = 5801.772904 𝜔22 = 164875.5417

𝜔1 =√5801.772904 𝜔2 = √164875.5417

𝜔1 =76.16936985 𝜔2 = 406.0486938

Converting in hertz by diving with 2π

76.16936985 406.0486938
𝜔1 = 2𝜋
𝜔2 = 2𝜋

𝜔1 =12.12 Hz 𝜔2 = 64.62 Hz

Mode of shapes

(2) Determine and plot the first two mode shapes of the beam corresponding to the first two natural
frequencies obtained in Question (1).
Substituting the values of 𝜔2 in equation 12
2 2 𝑞1
̅̅̅
[1.1502𝜔2 − 8172.5 0.9685𝜔2 − 4605.6] [̅̅̅
𝑞
]
0.9685𝜔 − 4605.6 0.8374𝜔 − 5543.4 2

Using 𝜔12 we get

−1499.200806 1013.417058 ̅̅̅𝑞1

[ ] [̅̅̅
𝑞
]=0
1013.417058 −684.9953702 2
𝑞1
̅̅̅
= 0.6759
̅̅̅2
𝑞

5
10227333 APS5

The column matrix which represents the first mode shape at six stations is obtained by substituting in
equation 3

𝑞1 = 0.6759 and ̅̅̅

̅̅̅ 𝑞2 = 1

{φ1} = ̅̅̅
𝑞1 {V1} + ̅̅̅{V
𝑞1 2}

0 0 0
0.06986 0.021653 0.06887
0.2432 0.13824 0.30262
{φ1} = 0.6759 + =
0.4752 0.36576 0.68695
0.73386 0.669013 1.16503
[ 1 ] [ 1 ] [ 1.6759 ]

0
0.04109
0.18057
Normalising the final column for {φ1} =1.6759
0.4099
0.69517
[ 1 ]

Again, Using 𝜔22 we get

−1499.200806 1013.417058 ̅̅̅𝑞1

[ ] [̅̅̅
𝑞
]=0
1013.417058 −684.9953702 2
𝑞1
̅̅̅
= - 0.8546
̅̅̅2
𝑞

The column matrix which represents the first mode shape at six stations is obtained by substituting

𝑞1 = -0.8546 and ̅̅̅

̅̅̅ 𝑞2 = 1

{φ2} = ̅̅̅
𝑞1 {V1} + ̅̅̅{V
𝑞1 2}

0 0 0
0.06986 0.021653 −0.03805
0.2432 0.13824 −0.0696
{φ2} = -0.8546 + =
0.4752 0.36576 −0.04035
0.73386 0.669013 0.04186
[ 1 ] [ 1 ] [ 0.1454 ]

0
−0.26169
−0.47868
Normalising the final column for {φ2} =0.1454
−0.27751
0.2879
[ 1 ]

6
10227333 APS5

Plotting the graph of φ1 and φ2 against x/L

First mode shape

1.2
1
φ1 0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
x/L

Figure 1 Graph of φ1 against x/L

Second mode shape

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
φ2

0.2
0
-0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
-0.4
-0.6
x/L

Figure 2 Graph of φ2 against x/L

7
10227333 APS5

ANSYS Modal Analysis

(3) Use the finite element method to obtain approximate values for the first and second natural
frequencies of the beam under flexural free vibrations. Refer to the ANSYS Modal Analysis Tutorial
for more information if ANSYS is used for this task.

The first step is to choose the type of analysis to be carried. In this case structural.

The beam is added next which is later defined by adding constrains

8
10227333 APS5

The properties of the model can then be defined thorough Material Props

Since the beam is elastic, we can now add the value of Young’s Modulus = 70Gpa and the density of
the beam = 2700 kg/m3

9
10227333 APS5

The beam is then defined by adding the cross section area of the each side through Common
sections under Beam. The root 0.3mx 0.02m and the tip 0.1mx0.005m

10
10227333 APS5

The length of the beam is then defined

11
10227333 APS5

Once points appear in the window, Modelling can be done by adding key points to make a
straightline

12
10227333 APS5

Meshing attributes is then defined by selecting taper from the drop down option

The size of meshing is then defined by the adding number of elements. The higher the number, the
accurate the result will be. In this case we used 1000.

13
10227333 APS5

Line for mesh is added

Now we can begin by selecting the type of analysis to conduct

14
10227333 APS5

Upon selecting the type of analysis, the sub menu changes to enter relevant options. The number of
natural frequency to be obtained is added which is two in our case.

The type of load that the structure will experience is defined in the next step

15
10227333 APS5

The Degree of freedom for the beam regarding displacement is then added

The final step is to run the simulation by clicking solve

16
10227333 APS5

The values obtained for the first and second natural frequency are 11.393 Hz and 37.336 Hz

17
10227333 APS5

Comparison between Results

(4) Compare the results from the Rayleigh-Ritz method and the finite element method. Discuss
sources of errors in results from the two methods and propose any measures which can be
employed to improve the results.

Rayleigh-Ritz Finite Element

𝝎𝟏 12.12Hz 11.939Hz
𝝎𝟐 64.62Hz 37.336Hz

The results obtained by using Rayleigh-Ritz method and Fine element method are similar for
the first mode of natural frequency but a huge difference for the second natural frequency. The
Rayleigh-Ritz approach to calculate the natural frequency of the beam was by using an assumed
polynomial function and assuming the deflection curve of the beam. The beam was discretised evenly
in 5 segments to make it suitable for evaluation as it is in smaller chunks. However since the approach
is more through assumptions and a set of universal equation, the findings may not be very accurate.
If the beam were to be discretised into smaller parts such as 20 or 50, the approximation can be
improved. However, the calculation would have been very complex needing software to perform
calculation which would make the finite element method more feasible.

Finite element method is a systematic process where the discretization was more physical.
The structures behaviour can be known by simplifying the object. This technique takes into account
of boundary conditions of the variables. Also the different types of load, material, size dynamics are
taken into account which give better approximation. During the operation of ANSYS, the meshing size
was used as 1000 which meant the beam was discretised equally into small 1000 parts and structural
test was carried out. By separating models into fine smaller parts, more accurate results and findings
could be achieved. If the accuracy of the result were to be improved, the meshing size could be further
increased. Also there are various parameters that can be added to make the object as closely defined
to the real object the loads experienced. Also complex parts and objects can be modelled to produce
simulation which increases the accuracy and prediction.

18