Plotting mode shapes

You can visualize the deformation mode associated with a given natural frequency by plotting the mode shape associated with that frequency.

  1. In the context bar, click the frame selector tool .

    The Frame Selector dialog box appears. Drag the bottom corner of the dialog box to enlarge it so that both step names are clearly visible.

  2. Drag the frame slider to select frame 1 in the Extract Frequencies step. This is the first eigenmode.

  3. From the main menu bar, select PlotDeformed Shape; or use the tool in the toolbox.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the deformed model shape associated with the first vibration mode, as shown in Figure 1.

    Figure 1. Mode 1.

  4. Select the third mode (frame 3 in the Extract Frequencies step) from the Frame Selector dialog box. Afterward, close the dialog box.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the third mode shape shown in Figure 2.

    Figure 2. Mode 3.

    Note:

    A complete list of the available frames is given in the Step/Frame dialog box (ResultStep/Frame). This dialog box offers an alternative means to switching between frames.