Experimental modal analysis and finite element modelling of a contemporary violin

This paper illustrates the present state of a research project aimed at developing and validating a vibroacoustic numerical model of a violin. The attention is focused on the evolution of the soundboard and the back plate mechanical characteristics during instrument construction. Experimental modal analysis was performed on a contemporary violin at several stages of the musical instrument manufacturing process and finite element models, corresponding to the same tested configurations, were developed. A preliminary comparison between experimental results and simulations is presented.