Abstract
In this paper, the authors present a method for generating accurate finite element models of complex mechanical structural structures and components using a 3-dimensional digitizer and experimentally obtained modal parameters. The coordinates of many points on the surface of an objective body are accurately acquired using a 3-dimensional digitizer at first. A finite element model is then built up based on a kind of interpolation using the data of the surface. On the other hand, some of the modal parameters of the body are obtained by modal testing. The natural frequencies of interest are tuned with respect to the finite element model by referring the experimental parameters. The structural parameters to be tuned are Young's modulus of individual finite elements in this study.
