Frequencies extraction of a cantilever beam using FEM

The evolution of the construction industry has led to highly complex structures, which need to be safe and, at the same time, to be able to satisfy their structural and economic purposes. On the other hand, numerical models have become of vast importance in the design of structures. The present article explains the significance of a numerical model in structural dynamics and civil engineering, giving a theoretical basis on this topic, programming hints, acquisition of results and an insight of the choice of the right parameters, focussing on the extraction of the natural frequencies of a structure. Moreover, an example of a numerical model based on Finite Element modelling with MATLAB of a cantilever beam is provided.