1/9
BUILDING UP
YOUR FEA
KNOWLEDGE
IN STRUCTURAL
DYNAMICS
From fundamentals to full simulations –
here’s your step-by-step path.
Dominique Madier
www.fea-academy.com
2/9
BUILD THE FUNDAMENTALS
OF STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS
Before jumping into solvers, focus on the
physical and mathematical principles:
Free vibration (undamped and damped systems)
Forced vibration (harmonic, transient, shock)
Modal analysis (natural frequencies and mode
shapes)
Frequency response and resonance
Time integration methods (implicit vs. explicit
solvers)
Damping models (structural, viscous, Rayleigh)
Recommended Textbooks:
"How to Perform Linear Dynamic Analysis" by Tony Abbey –
Provide guidance on the usage of commercially available finite
element analysis tools for the solution of practical problems.
"A Finite Element Dynamics Primer" by D. Hitchings – Intended to
address the problems that a practising finite element analyst might
encounter when carrying out a vibration analysis.
"Structural Dynamics: Theory and Computation" by Mario Paz and
Young Hoon Kim – Balanced between theory and computation
Dominique Madier
www.fea-academy.com
3/9
TRANSITION TO DYNAMIC
FEA CONCEPTS
Link theory with FEA terms:
Modal Analysis
Harmonic (Frequency Response) Analysis
Transient (Time Domain) Analysis
Random Vibration / PSD Analysis
Response Spectrum Analysis (for seismic or launch
scenarios)
Explicit Dynamics (for crash, impact, shock)
Dominique Madier
www.fea-academy.com
4/9
TRANSITION TO DYNAMIC
FEA CONCEPTS
Key FEA Skills to Learn:
Setting up and interpreting a modal analysis
Applying frequency-dependent loads and
boundary conditions
Choosing correct time integration methods
Managing numerical damping and time step
stability
Extracting and interpreting modal
participation factors, FRFs, or time histories
Specialized FEA References:
MSC Nastran: Linear Dynamics Analysis User's Guide – Very
detailed if you work with MSC tools.
Ansys Workbench Mechanical User Guide (for Modal, Harmonic,
Transient modules)
“Finite Element Procedures” by K. J. Bathe – Excellent bridge
between theory and application.
Dominique Madier
www.fea-academy.com
5/9
HANDS-ON SIMULATION
PRACTICE
Apply your knowledge on real cases:
Modal analysis of a cantilever beam and a
shell structure (verify with hand calcs)
Harmonic excitation on a bolted bracket
Transient shock load on a frame
PSD input on avionics box with base excitation
Impact analysis using explicit solvers (if
available)
Dominique Madier
www.fea-academy.com
6/9
RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE
(BESIDES ANSYS):
MSC NASTRAN (especially SOL
103/111/112/129)
ABAQUS (Standard for implicit, Explicit for
high-speed events)
ANSYS (for both linear and nonlinear dynamic
analysis, including modal, harmonic, spectrum
response, and random vibration)
Altair OptiStruct (great for modal and
frequency response)
COMSOL Multiphysics (if you're interested in
multiphysics + structural dynamics)
Dominique Madier
www.fea-academy.com
7/9
PROGRESSIVE LEARNING
ROADMAP
Phase Activity Focus
Study structural Free/forced vibration,
1 dynamics theory damping, time-domain
behavior
2 Read FEA manuals for Modal, harmonic, transient,
dynamic solvers and random vibration
3 Run basic modal and Validate against hand
harmonic examples calculations
Study convergence and Learn about time step
4 stability in time sensitivity, mass damping
integration
5 Work on real-case Analyze behavior of actual
projects or benchmarks components or assemblies
Dominique Madier
www.fea-academy.com
8/9
FINAL ADVICE
Mastering dynamics isn’t just about
running simulations.
It’s bridging theory with real-world
behavior.
Use your nonlinear/static expertise
to fast-track dynamic intuition.
Dominique Madier
www.fea-academy.com
9/9
READY TO LEVEL UP
YOUR SIMULATION
SKILLS?
FOLLOW FOR MORE
FEA INSIGHTS
Dominique Madier
www.fea-academy.com
