Abstract
The experimental study of vibrating plates having simply-supported boundary conditions can be difficult to achieve due to the complexity of preventing translation, but allowing rotation along all boundaries simultaneously. Only a few methods have been proposed, but all are either time-consuming to set up and involve customization of the test rig for each plate or do not allow the plate to be reused for other purposes. The method described in this paper offers a low-cost, simple, accurate and non-destructive way of experimentally measuring the modal properties of thin, simply supported plates and can be used for quick validations of models and designs without modification for multiple trials and varying plate properties. The key attributes of this method include:•An adjustable sliding support frame which can be made of a distinct material from the plate and which can accommodate variations in plate geometry and properties without modification.•Removable flexible sealant applied in a v-groove on the supporting frame which can be easily used to fix and support the plate according to the simply-supported boundary conditions.•A low-profile design, which can be used to accommodate most experimental testing methods for determining modal properties of vibrating plates.
Highlights
Flexible weather stripping sealant has been found to provide the required stiffness for this purpose and reduces vibration transmission to the supporting frame
Any number of experimental modal analysis techniques can be used with the setup described above
Thicker plates provided better and more consistent results. This is likely due to the reduced impact that compressive stresses from mounting the plates in the supporting frame had on their material properties
Summary
Aluminum or steel bar stock for the supporting frame. Bolts and washers to assemble the supporting frame. Legs that allow air flow below the plate and which can accommodate vibration generators or speakers, if required (Fig. 5). Flexible weather stripping sealant has been found to provide the required stiffness for this purpose and reduces vibration transmission to the supporting frame. Using a sliding frame, such as the one shown, accommodates minor or major differences in plate dimensions during installation of the plate. The setup can be used to test the modal properties of supported plates using a variety of excitation techniques, such as a speaker, shaker or impact hammer, in combination with a visualization and/or measurement method, such as Chladni patterns, accelerometers or a scanning laser vibrometer.
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