Modelling and Analysis of the Seattle Space Needle Based on ANSYS

Modal analysis is an effective method that helps engineers understand how a building responds to different types of dynamic loads, such as wind, earthquakes, or vibrations caused by human activities. It provides valuable insights into a building’s natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping characteristics. In this paper, a simplified model of the Space Needle Tower is established using ANSYS SPACE CLAIM, followed by modal analysis using ANSYS WORKBENCH. For the purpose of simplification, the equivalent density of the model is set to the actual mass of the Space Needle tower divided by the volume of the model. The space needle tower model consisting of 11 components is then divided into 126144 nodes and 66287 units. The first 6 modes of deformation and the corresponding natural frequencies are obtained. In the end, the paper points out the tower’s potential weaknesses or areas that require reinforcement and provides potential solutions to improve the stability of the tower under dynamic loads.