Test-FEA Integration

Integrating testing and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) is a core discipline in structural analysis. It helps to shorten time from concept to production by optimizing strategies for testing models and improving the development of FE models. Using baseline FE models you can early in a project optimize your modal tests and from the improved results you can refine your FE models.

PULSE Reflex Finite Element Interfaces

With the FE interfaces you can import large FE models into PULSE Reflex Modal Analysis and PULSE Reflex Correlation Analysis. The FE models can be imported as UFF files or from FEA programs like NASTRAN^® and ANSYS^®.

The imported FE models can be animated in order to get an idea of frequency range of interest, mode density and critical modes for the modal test. These animations also help you to choose optimal excitation and response locations for the modal test. Furthermore, you can easily decimate a FE model to a test model to be used for subsequent modal testing. All of this is included in your test environment using PULSE and PULSE Reflex.

PULSE Reflex Correlation Analysis

Also in the test environment you can perform a complete visual and numerical correlation analysis of two modal models (Test vs. FEM, Test vs. Test or FEM vs. FEM) to identify shortcomings in modal tests and areas of insufficient modeling quality in FE models. Correlation analysis allows you to design optimal test conditions and evaluate different modeling strategies.

Correlation analysis can also be used to add information that can only be measured or simulated. For example, you can add modal damping to the analytical modes by using the damping values from a modal test and you can scale mode shapes from Operational Modal Analysis using the scaling from the analytical mode shapes. Other uses of correlation analysis include damage detection by correlating (operational) modal test results to the analysis results of a reference FE model.

Results from a correlation analysis can also be used to define targets and updating variables for FE model updating.

Using PULSE Reflex Correlation Analysis you are efficiently guided through geometry alignment, DOF mapping, vector comparison, mode pairing and reporting.