Application of modal testing techniques in the
determination of the modal parameters and mode shapes of an
edge-fixed circular plate with a free-layer viscoelastic
damping treatment extending over a portion of the plate
surface is described.
The mode shapes and modal parameters were determined
for the first five flexural modes of the plate, which had a
free-layer viscoelastic damping treatment on one side in the
form of a central circular patch of varying size.
The experimental setup and procedure is described in
detail, with particular emphasis upon problems of modal
overlap resulting from the symmetry of the test structure.
Results comparing the predicted and measured natural
frequencies and modal loss factors for varying degrees of
damping treatment are presented for select cases.