Modal Survey Activity Via Frequency Response Functions

In recent years, the development of digital signal processing hardware and software has progressed to the point where frequency response functions can be measured in a fraction of the time required by previous measurement techniques. This has caused a renewed interest in convenient and reliable software for effective modal survey work via frequency response functions to manipulate, store, retrieve and display frequency response functions, perform on-line modal parameter estimation, display resulting mode shapes and check the accuracy of the results. This paper reviews the relationship between frequency response functions and modal parameters and presents the software architecture used by the authors for effective use of frequency response functions in a modal survey activity.