Structural dynamics

Structural dynamics is a branch of structural analysis which covers the behavior of a structure subjected to dynamic loading. Dynamic loading is any time-varying loading which changes quickly enough that the response of the structure differs from the response to the same loading applied statically. Causes of dynamic loading include people, wind, waves, traffic, earthquakes, and blasts. Dynamic analysis can be used to find dynamic displacements, time history, and natural frequencies and mode shapes.

Whether a given load should be treated as static or dynamic depends on how quickly the load varies in comparison to the structure's natural frequency. If it changes slowly, the structure's response may be determined with static analysis, but if it varies quickly (relative to the structure's ability to respond), the response must be determined with a dynamic analysis.

Dynamic analysis for simple structures can be carried out analytically, but for complex structures finite element analysis is more often used to calculate the mode shapes and frequencies.

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