Bridging the ground-to-flight gap: A formal consistency analysis of EMA and OMA on full-scale aircraft structures
30 Sept 2026
Within the framework of Ground Vibration Testing (GVT), Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) remains the industry standard for identifying reliable normal modes using measured excitation forces. Conversely, Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) offers a viable alternative when input force control is unavailable, provided specific conditions—such as time-resolved sensor data and stationary, broadband excitation—are satisfied. This paper evaluates the consistency between these two methodologies, assessing whether they yield comparable results for full-scale aircraft structures and exploring the potential industrial benefits of such alignment.


