LAUSR

Abstract Generally, dynamic and fatigue tests require complicated and time-consuming simulation to achieve good performance. However, to estimate a structure’s fatigue lifetime during a vibrational test, when the frequency response function is required, can be expensive or unsuitable. Thus, the coupling interaction between the electrodynamic shaker and the specimen is addressed, and an equivalent shaker spectral element model presented. In this context, the paper presents a study based on the spectral element approach to model the electrodynamic shaker. The spectral analysis is performed to predict the dynamic response of the specimen coupled with shaker by using the spectral element method. To validate the model it is compared with the experimental tests and numerical simulation obtained by using the Finite Element method. The dynamic response predictions using the presented model are similar to the experimental responses, showing the efficiency of this approach.