1. Introduction

In order to assess the predictive capacity of a numerical model in structural dynamics, it may be useful, or even essential, to validate this one in relation to data measured in situ. The most classical way is the comparison of natural modes (frequencies and deformations) calculated and identified experimentally two by two. Eigenmodes reflect the overall behavior of the structure, and are often used as the sole validation tool. The main difficulty in this case is to be able to match numerical and experimental modes in pairs.

The purpose of this documentation is to describe the methods and tools that can be used in Code_Aster to compare calculation and measurement data. Section 2 treats the import of data from measurement software in*Code_Aster*. In section 3, we detail the use of one of the main criteria for model validation: the MAC matrix. In section 4, we discuss other methods proposed in the Code_Aster environment for validation (comparison of FRF and deformed ones).