Modal Analysis of Annular Plate with Crack and its Effect on Natural Frequency

The study of the dynamic behavior of annular plates with circumferential cracks can find many applications in several machine components such as flywheels, clutch plates, compact discs etc. A crack on a structural member introduces a local increase of flexibility in that region then; this affects the static and dynamic characteristics. The effects of cracks on the dynamic characteristics of structures, especially on the natural frequencies and modes, were extensively studied. In this study, the natural frequencies of annular plates with circumferential cracks are investigated by using finite element method. The cracks were non-propagating and open. The annular plate with different cracks was subjected to different boundary conditions and final variation in the natural frequency was obtained, which was compared with the theoretical frequency and the change in the natural frequency was studied. The results of this study with improved elements are compared with the theoretical results in the literature. It is observed that the location and the number of cracks have various effects on the natural frequencies related to the vibration modes.