Spatial vibration measurements : operating deflection analysis on the example of a plate compactor

Abstract: The operating motion of a ground compactor uses high power vibrations to improve mechanical properties of a compacted ground. This motion gives a good base for the vibration analysis with an aid of Signal Processing. In this thesis, the motion of a bottom plate in a compactor is of the main interest. The thesis concerns usage of two main spectral analyzing tools, Power Spectrum estimators and Power Spectral Density estimators, presenting advantages and disadvantages in the application of a vibration analysis. Moreover, an influence of two window applications, a Flattop window, and a Hanning window, is described in relation to both analyzing approaches. The results present problems that occur when a vibration with a present modulated frequency is analyzed and how a Power Spectral Density estimator arise in a more consistent estimate over analyzed vibration spectrum. What is more, an Ordinary Deflection Shapes for a simplified bottom plate model, under different motion excitations, are presented at the end of this thesis, giving a better view of the operational motion of an analyzed system.