[RobertW]

Hi,

I prepare the APDL model of the device.
The device is fixed to the base plate.
The device has some piezo-electric (PZT) elements attached to it.
The PZTs once powered cause the device to vibrate.


The Ansys model for such a device is ready (also for simulation of its behaviour when the PZTs are powered with the fixed AC voltage value but of varying frequency).

However, I would also like to add some external force acting on this model (while the device vibrates due to PZTs action). The force would be a quick up-down movement - reciprocating motion (outer source of vibration), which would simulate shaking of the entire device- as the device would be placed on the table which does quick up-down movement.

Now, there are my kind questions.
1. Is vibration of the model/device caused by powering of the PZT considered as the load- in Ansys? My understanding is - yes. But not sure.

2. If yes to question 1, then can I apply extra force causing interference vibration (described before question 1)? I ask about it, as when I read the Ansys handbook as the guidance for building a model for a harmonic analysis in Ansys, I find that (citing): A harmonic analysis cannot calculate the response to multiple forcing functions acting simultaneously with different frequencies. ... Post 1 can be used to superimpose these two loads cases for the total response.

3. As I am relatively new to Ansys programming, I would like to ask kindly for a little advice regarding to applying an external load/vibration to the device.
If I would like to apply the force/load where described model/device moves up-down quickly (like shaking- description above question 1) what would be the best option to simulate this?

Thanks.

Robert