ABSTRACT
The collection of vibrational analyses in this chapter were performed on a subset of NASA/JPL flight projects and are intended to be used as guides and examples of what NASA looks for in a structural analysis. It is often tempting to rush into the analysis by utilizing the various vibration tools offered in modern finite element CAD-based tools. It is advised to use hand-based calculations whenever possible as a method of verification of the tool. It is too easy for example to make the wrong assumptions in how the model is supported and arrive to wrong conclusions. Hand calculations and the use of classical laminate theory, for example can quite often help you “ball-park” a problem giving you more confidence in your analysis.
