A method for conducting finite element analysis of a component which takes into consideration the apparent rigidity of an interface structure. The method generally includes the steps of (a) providing a standard shim bar, (b) physically measuring the natural frequencies of the standard shim bar when mounted to the interface structure in at least two orientations, (c) generating a finite element model having a shim interposed between the component and ground, (d) selecting the characteristics of the shim as a function of the measured natural frequencies of the standard test bar in both the first and second orientations, and (e) once the appropriate characteristics are selected, performing the desired finite element analysis on the finite element model. In one embodiment, the characteristics of the shim can be determined by (a) generating a finite element test bar that is a finite element reduction of the standard test bar, (b) interposing a finite element shim between the finite element test bar and ground, and (c) selecting the characteristics of the shim such that tested characteristics of the finite element test bar correlate with the measured characteristics of the standard test bar.
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