Dynamic Analysis of the Musical Triangles—Experimental and Numerical Approaches

Abstract

This paper addresses the experimental and numerical dynamic analysis of curved bars used as percussion musical instruments. These structures are known as triangles, being made of various metal materials. The study was based on the experimental analysis of the dynamic response over time and the frequency of three types of triangles, different in material and size. Subsequently, finite element analysis of the same structures modeled with the SimCenter 12 program was performed. The results were compared, highlighting the contribution of material type and geometry in obtaining vibration modes, frequency spectrum, and structural damping coefficient. Between the experimental and the numerical analysis, the obtained errors were below 2.2% in terms of their natural frequencies. The study also highlights the complementarity of the two methods in understanding the vibration modes of triangles.

Keywords

• triangle
• experimental dynamic analysis
• finite element analysis
• modal shapes