A Simple Method for Extracting Normal Modes

Abstract

Abstract A simple method for extracting the normal modes of structures is developed. The frequency response function relation between the complex and the normal modes is derived and a technique is developed to calculate the normal modes from the identified (damped) complex modes. In this method, only the magnitude and phase information at resonant frequencies are needed for extracting the normal mode shapes. A numerical example is employed to illustrate the theory. The results indicate that this method is more robust than other methods when the frequency response measurements are contaminated with noise.