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Experimental modal analysis and model validation of antenna structures

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Numerical design optimisation is a powerful tool that can be used by engi-
neers during any stage of the design process. Structural design optimisation
is a specialised usage of numerical design optimisation that has been adapted
to cater speci cally for structural design problems. A speci c application of
structural design optimisation that will be discussed in the following report is
experimental data matching. Data obtained from tests on a physical structure
will be matched with data from a numerical model of that same structure. The
data of interest will be the dynamic characteristics of an antenna structure,
focusing on the mode shapes and modal frequencies. The structure used was
a scaled, simpli ed model of the Karoo Array Telescope-7 (KAT-7) antenna
structure.
Experimental data matching is traditionally a di cult and time-consuming
task. This report illustrates how optimisation can assist an engineer in the
process of correlating a nite element model with vibration test data. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Numeriese ontwerp-optimisering is 'n kragtige ingenieurshulpmiddel wat ty-
dens enige stadium in die ontwerpsproses ingespan kan word. Strukturele
ontwerp-optimisering is 'n gespesialiseerde gebruik van numeriese ontwerp-
optimisering wat aangepas is om spesi ek van diens te wees by die oplos
van strukturele ontwerpsprobleme. 'n Spesi eke toepassing van strukturele
ontwerp-optimisering wat in hierdie verslag bespreek sal word, is eksperi-
mentele datakorrelasie. Data afkomstig van toetse op 'n siese struktuur sal
gekorreleer word met data afkomstig van 'n numeriese model van die selfde
struktuur. Die data van belang is die dinamiese eienskappe van 'n anten-
nastruktuur, spesi ek die modusvorme en modale frekwensies. Die betrokke
struktuur wat gebruik is, is 'n vereenvoudigde skaalmodel van die Karoo Array
Telescope-7 (KAT-7) antennastruktuur.
Eksperimentele datakorrelasie is, tradisioneel gesproke, 'n moeilike en tydro-
wende taak. Hierdie verslag sal illustreer op watter wyse optimisering 'n inge-
nieur van hulp kan wees in die proses om 'n eindige elementmodel met vibrasietoetsdata te korreleer.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/5423
Date12 1900
CreatorsPotgieter, Brendon Ryan
ContributorsVenter, G., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.
PublisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format77 p. : ill.
RightsUniversity of Stellenbosch

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