A simplified modal plotting technique for the representation of complex structural models

A plotting method has been developed that has proven to be useful in rapidly defining the mode shapes of a complex spacecraft. The reduction of the complex model to a simple stick plot is accomplished by augmenting the existing NASTRAN plot package with constrained plot elements. Both the existing NASTRAN modal plot package and the stick plots of a representative mode are presented for comparison. The NASTRAN plot package provides the capability of generating modal deformations (mode shapes) resulting from real eigenvalue analysis. These modal deformations of the structural model may be displayed in the deformed shape either alone or superimposed on the undeformed shape. Another available method of displaying the modal deformations is by means of displacement vectors at the grid points