Virtual testing for modal and damping ratio identification of submerged structures using the PolyMAX algorithm with two-way fluid–structure Interactions

Based on the powerful Computational Structural Dynamics method coupled to a Computational Fluid Dynamics approach, the PolyMAX algorithm is used along with the simulation of two-way fluid–structure interactions, as a new virtual testing method for estimating the structural modal parameters and damping ratios of a vibrating structure in either air or some other fluid. The viscosity and motion of fluid are accounted for, as are the shape of the flow passage and a variety of boundary conditions. The method is shown to be able to simulate the vibration of a structure within a real operating environment in which the structure experiences a specified excitation load while the vibration responses of the structure are obtained through a two-way FSI model. Based on the PolyMAX method for estimating the modal parameters, these vibration responses are processed and analyzed. Finally, the dynamic parameters (i.e., the natural frequencies and the damping ratios) of the vibrating structure are identified. For validation, the natural frequencies and damping ratios of two simple submerged cantilever plates were simulated both in air and water and the simulated results were found to agree closely with experimental data.