Experimental Modal Analysis and Structural Modelling of a Grand Piano Soundboard to Support Instrument Design
Roberto Corradi, Paolo Fazioli, Stefano Miccoli, Francesco Ripamonti, Giacomo Squicciarini · Virtual Community of Pathological Anatomy (University of Castilla La Mancha) · 2010
This paper illustrates the first part of a research project aimed at developing and validating a numerical model of the vibro-acoustic behaviour of a grand piano soundboard, to be used by piano makers as a tool to support the design process. Experimental modal analysis results are presented and compared with corresponding finite element numerical simulations, which include modelling of the manufacturing process, to account for the soundboard curvature and the induced stresses. The finite element model of a free soundboard before bridge gluing has been successfully validated up to 250Hz, in terms of both mode shapes and eigenfrequencies.