Digital Filtering for Analysis of Structural Vibrations

A digital signal analysis system to aid in compiling vibration test data is described. The objectives of the system are explained, mathematical properties are derived, and system operation is discussed with respect to hardware, characteristics, and sample output.

This method for digital filtering of time series data has proved to be fast, effective, and an easily implemented method of analyzing structural properties. In addition to providing the design engineer with all of the traditional forms of output offered by analog systems, the computer-based nature of the digital filter system facilitates the use of large-scale dynamic simulations requiring mode identification and other analytical software.