Modal Analysis
A modal dynamic analysis is set up using the Analysis wizard from the Analysis > New analysis task command. The next page allow the user to specify the task name (a name to associate with this modal analysis), the number of modes and start mode, and the maximum number of iterations. In most cases only the number of modes needs to be changed here. The number of modes that are required will depend on the structure and what is to be done with the modal results. For a simple structure or where all that is required is the frequency of the fundamental mode only a few modes are required, while a large, complex structure may require up to or in excess of 100 modes.