Simplified Modal Analysis For The Plant Machinery Engineer

Abstract

Experimental modal analysis and operating deflection shapes (ODS) are powerful tools in vibration analysis and machinery troubleshooting. However, the machinery plant engineer often doesn’t believe such techniques are available given a lack of advanced measurement equipment. This tutorial presents best practices with simplified experimental modal analysis and ODS techniques that can be used by a plant machinery engineer with the limited vibration analysis equipment usually available at a plant site. Minimum requirements and analyzer settings are discussed for a variety of commonly available measurement equipment. For different machinery problems, common measurement pitfalls and limitations are reviewed and, where appropriate, alternative methods are presented. During the presentation, demonstrations of modal testing measurements will be conducted using a portable generic data acquisition system.