The correlation of a steering column F.E. and experimental modal models

A customer specification for inertance at a targeted frequency is a requirement of the steering column system design. The finite element method was employed to replicate steering column response for the physical test environment and provide engineers design direction to meet those requirements. Finite element normal modes and forced response analysis were run for the baseline column assembly and test fixture. Experimental data was captured, analyzed and compared to the FEA model using LMS-LINK software to evaluate analysis results. This process then can be used to make iterative modifications to the column structure to achieve maximum performance using a heuristic approach.