dynamic analysis
This module introduced the principles of structural dynamics and how FEM can be used to study systems under time-dependent loading. Unlike static problems, dynamic analysis accounts for inertia, damping, and frequency response — factors that dominate the behavior of many real-world engineering systems
The assignments covered:
Natural frequencies and modes: computing eigenfrequencies and mode shapes for simple structures. This provided insight into resonance phenomena and the importance of avoiding critical excitation frequencies in design.
Time integration schemes: applying both implicit and explicit methods (such as Newmark-beta and central difference) to simulate structural response under dynamic loading.
Forced vibration: analyzing how harmonic loads produce steady-state oscillations and studying the effect of damping on amplitude and phase response.
Practical applications: comparing free vibration, transient loading, and frequency response analyses to see how each approach is suited for different engineering problems, from machinery vibrations to seismic loading.
Through these exercises, I saw how dynamics requires balancing numerical stability, accuracy, and computational cost. For example, explicit methods capture high-frequency content but demand small time steps, while implicit schemes are more stable for large time increments but may overdamp fine details
This module built my understanding of how structures behave under dynamic conditions and how to model these effects in FEM. It gave me practical skills for predicting vibrations, resonances, and transient responses - critical for designing reliable systems in automotive, aerospace, and civil engineering