Understanding how structures vibrate is at the heart of modern engineering from reducing EV motor noise to preventing fatigue failures in aircraft panels. This course introduces you to the essential world of modal analysis, where natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping characteristics reveal how mechanical structures behave under real-world conditions. Through a combination of theory, guided coach dialogues, and hands-on exercises in Siemens Simcenter FEMAP (free student version), you’ll learn how NVH engineers extract modal parameters, diagnose vibration issues, and make data-driven design improvements.
Modal Analysis in Mechanical Structures
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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level
Recommended experience
4 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Apply vibration fundamentals to analyze natural frequencies, mode shapes, damping, and resonance in mechanical components.
Build finite-element models, extract modal parameters, and evaluate how conditions influence modal behavior.
Interpret modal results to diagnose vibration issues and propose engineering modifications to improve NVH performance.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
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Recently updated!
January 2026
Assessments
1 assignment
Taught in English
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There are 3 modules in this course
This module introduces learners to the foundational principles that govern the dynamic behavior of mechanical structures. Learners will explore how mass, stiffness, damping, and boundary conditions define natural frequencies and mode shapes, why resonance occurs, and how these fundamentals form the basis of all modal analysis performed in NVH engineering. Through conceptual explanations and engineering examples, learners will gain a clear, intuitive, and analytical understanding of the mechanical vibration phenomena that drive noise, durability issues, and structural failures.
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 peer review
This module introduces learners to practical finite-element modeling for modal analysis using Simcenter Femap (free version). Learners will build a clean FE model, apply material properties, define mesh controls, set up boundary conditions, run a modal solution, and interpret natural frequencies and mode shapes. Demonstrations will reinforce how changes in mass, stiffness, and supports influence modal behavior.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 peer review
This module teaches learners how to interpret modal analysis outputs such as natural frequencies, mode shapes, modal participation factors, damping ratios, and strain energy distributions, to identify vibration problems and propose engineering interventions. Learners will bridge the gap between simulation/test results and actionable design decisions such as stiffness tuning, mass redistribution, structural optimization, and application of damping treatments to enhance overall NVH performance. The module emphasizes practical diagnostic thinking using real-world examples from automotive, aerospace, and consumer product domains.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment2 peer reviews
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