Expansion of real time operating deformations for improved visualization

Real time operating data is normally limited to relatively few data points. Unfortunately, viewing this limited set of data often-times presents more confusion as to the actual system deformations. An expansion technique, using traditional experimental modal test data, is presented to augment this limited set of degrees of freedom to provide a clearer representation of the actual deformations.;Analytical cases are studied to show methodology and process of this real time operating expansion technique. Noise is applied to the analytical model in order to add controlled imperfections to the data and provide insight into the robustness of this technique.;The real time operating expansion techniques are then applied to several test models using actual experimental real time responses and mode shapes. Advantages and limitations of this technique when applied to actual test data are discussed.