VIBRATIONS

MCB 3103
GROUP TH4
FREE AND FORCE VIBRATION

N
NAME
O
1. FAEZ BIN MOHMAD@FIKRI
2.
3.

MUHAMAD ARIF B FARIS

CHE ENGKU MOHD KHAIRI
BIN CHE ENGKU CHIK
4. AMIRUL ADLI BIN MARZUKI

ID NUMBER
17294
17204
17486
17318

1.0 ABSTRACT
In this experiment, there are two types of vibration system being done
which are undamped free vibration and damped free vibration. Free vibration
system meaning that after an initial force or disturbance, the system was left
to vibrate on its own and no external force was subjected on the system. If
no energy is lost or dissipated in friction or other resistance during
oscillation, the vibration is known as undamped vibration. If any energy is
lost in this way, however, it is called damped vibration. In many physical
systems, the amount of damping is so small that it can be disregarded for
most engineering purpose. However, consideration of damping becomes
extremely important in analyzing vibratory systems near resonance.
The system set up for this experiment is the basic cantilever beam
with a spring is attached on the top of the beam. For undamped free
vibration system, the lengths of the lever arm, a for hanging the spring of
the cantilever beam were set differently for total of 5 times with 3 different
stiffness of the spring. The different in length and spring stiffness could result
in different behaviour of the vibration system so that the experimental value
of natural frequency obtained was different for each set of test to be
compared with the theoretical natural frequency calculated.
Meanwhile, for damped free vibration system the spring stiffness and
lever arm length for spring, a was set constant but the lever arm length for
damper, b was set differently with 3 different lengths. With damper attached
on the system, the energy of the system will be lost during the oscillation
and it may behave differently when the damper length is different. Therefore,
the damped frequency for the 3 tests of damped free vibration system could
be analyzed and thus, it might help to illustrate the effect of damping on the
system. For the design engineer, it is very crucial for them to consider the
mechanical vibration of a structure to avoid from any catastrophic failures.

This would happen if the structure is excited at its resonance frequency; the
damping is low and excessive of vibrations.

2.0 OBJECTIVES
The objective of this experiment was to:

Compare the theoretical natural frequency for various constants and

lever arms with the values obtained by measurement.

Illustrate the effect of damping on the decay behaviour.

3.0 THEORY
A. FREE AND UNDAMPED OSCILLATION
If the body vibrates with internal forces and no external force is
included, it is further during vibrations if there is no loss of energy due to
friction or resistance, it is known as undamped free vibration. Consider the
relation for the frequency of spring mass system in vertical position as in
figure below.

Figure 1: The relation for the frequency of spring mass system in

vertical position
Consider vertical spring mass system as shown,
Let

= static deflection of spring

K = spring constant (stiffness)
m = mass of body
W = weight of body = mg

From figure above,

mg = K.
(A)
Let mass be displaced by distance x from its equilibrium position and then
released, so after time t seconds,
Restoring force

= W-K(+x)

dx
m dt

= W-K(+x)

dx
m dt

= W-K-Kx

dx
m dt

= mg-K-Kx

From (A)

mg = K
dx
m dt

= -Kx

dx
m dt

Kx=0(B)
x= A sin t + B cos t
dx
dt

=- x

Putting in (B)
m ( 2 x ) + Kx=0

2 =

K
m

f=

K
m

1
2

K
M

For this experiment, setting up the equation of motion involves forming the
equilibrium of the moments about the pivot point O of the beam
M 0=J 0 =F c a

The spring force

c

Fc

is the result of the deflection

and spring constant

(c was used as spring constant instead of K for this experiment)

Fc =cx=c a

The mass moment of inertia of the beam about the pivot point is
J 0=

m L2
3

This gives the equation of motion in the form of the following homogeneous
differential equation
3 c a3
+
=0
m L2

The solution obtained takes the form of harmonic oscillation with natural
angular frequency and natural frequency f .
3 c a3
1
3 c a3
0 =
,f =
m L2
2
m L2
2

The period is
T =2

m L2
2
3 ca

It becomes apparent that the period natural frequency can easily be adjusted
by way of lever arm

of the spring.

B. FREE AND DAMPED OSCILLATION

Setting up the equation of motion again involves forming the equilibrium of
moments about the pivot point O of the beam. In this case, allowance is
additionally made for a velocity-proportional damper force

Fd

with the

lever arm b .

M 0=J 0 =Fc aF d b

The damper

Fd

results from the velocity

dx
dt

and the damper constant d.

For small angles, the velocity can be formed from the angular velocity and
lever arm b.
Fd =d=d b

This gives the equation of motion in the form of the following homogeneous
differential equation
d 2 d b2 d c a2
+
+
=0
d2 t 2 J 0 dt J 0

Or more general terms with y =L as the path of the recorder

+2 D 0 y +0 y =0

With D as degree of damping and

D=

as natural angular frequency

d b2
c a2
2
, 0 =
2 J 0 0
J0

The solution takes the form of decaying harmonic oscillation with the initial
deflection
y ( t )=

y0

0
y 0 eD t sin ( d t+ )
d
0

With frequency
d=0 1D2

It becomes apparent that no further oscillation is possible with D>1. The

natural angular frequency

approaches zero.

4.0 PROCEDURE
A. FREE AND UNDAMPED OSCILLATION
1. The following combination are tested
Table 1: Data Tabulation of Free and Undamped Oscillation
Experiment
Spring No,
Lever arm a
constant c
(mm)

1
2
3
4
5

(N/mm)
1, 0.84
1, 0.84
2, 1.44
2, 1.44
3, 3.09

650
500
500
300
300

2. Spring as per table were fitted and were secured with lock nuts
3. Beam is horizontally aligned.
Weight of the beam, m = 1.68 kg
Length of the beam, L = 700mm
4. Stylus and start record are inserted
5. Recorder stopped
6. Experiment was repeated with other springs and lever arms

B. FREE AND DAMPED OSCILLATION

1. Spring 1 is mounted, c = 0.84 N/mm at a = 650mm and secured with
lock nuts.
2. Beam is horizontally aligned.
3. The following combinations are tested.
Table 2: Data Tabulation of Lever Arm B
Experiment
Lever arm b (mm)
1
100
2
300
3
550

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Damper was fitted as per table above.

Stylus is inserted
Recorder started
The beam is deflect using hand and allowed to come to rest
Recorder stopped
Experiment was repeated with different damper setting and lever arm.

5.0 DATA COLLECTION

A. FREE AND UNDAMPED OSCILLATION
Table 3: Geometric Dimension of the Beam
Length of
Beam, L (mm)
Weight of
Beam, m (kg)
Lever Arm, a
(mm)
Spring
Constant, c
(N/mm)

700

700

700

730

730

1.68

1.68

1.68

1.68

1.68

650

500

500

300

300

0.84

0.84

1.44

1.44

3.09

Table 4: Data for Free Undamped Vibration Analysis

Spring Constant, c = 0.84 N/mm
1.

Refer Graph in the appendix.

Lever Arm, a = 650 mm

Theoretical Natural Frequency, f0 =
5.72 Hz
Calculated Natural Frequency, f =
Spring Constant, c = 0.84N/mm

2.

Refer graph in the appendix

Lever Arm, a = 500 mm

Theoretical Natural Frequency, f0 =
4.40 Hz
Calculated
Natural
Frequency,
f=
Spring Constant,
c=
1.44 N/mm

3. Refer graph in the appendix

Lever Arm, a = 500 mm

Theoretical Natural Frequency, f0 =
5.76 Hz
Calculated Natural Frequency, f =
Spring Constant, c = 1.44 N/mm

4.

Refer graph in the appendix

Lever Arm, a = 300 mm

Theoretical Natural Frequency, f0 =
3.32 Hz
Calculated Natural Frequency, f =
Spring Constant, c = 3.09 N/mm

5.

Refer graph in the appendix

Lever Arm, a = 300 mm

Theoretical Natural Frequency, f0 =
4.86 Hz
Calculated Natural Frequency, f =
5.00 Hz

B. FREE AND DAMPED OSCILLATION

Table 5: Data for Free & Damped Vibration Analysis

1. Refer Graph in the appendix.

Lever arm, b = 100 mm

Degree of Damping, D = 0.0041 rad/s
Theoretical Damped Frequency,

2. Refer graph in the appendix

Lever arm, b = 300 mm

Degree of Damping, D = 0.0265 rad/s
Theoretical Damped Frequency,

3. Refer graph in the appendix

Lever arm, b = 550mm

Degree of Damping, D = 0.0817 rad/s
Theoretical Damped Frequency,

6.0 RESULTS
A. FREE AND UNDAMPED OSCILLATION
Table 6: Comparison between Experimental and Theoretical Frequencies

Experiment
1
2

Frequencies of Undamped Oscillation

Experimental Data
Theoretical
Period, T
Frequency, f
Frequency, f
0.2
5.00
5.72
(s)
(Hz)
(Hz)
0.2
5.00
4.40

Percentage
of Error (%)
12.58
13.64

3
4
5

0.2
0.2
0.2

5.00
3.33
5.00

5.76
3.32
4.86

SAMPLE CALCULATION
Theoretical Natural Frequency:
=

1 3 c a2
2 m L2

2
1 3 ( 840 )( 0.65 )
=5.72 Hz
2 (1.68 ) [ ( 0.70 )2]

Experimental Natural Frequency:

f 0=

1
T

f 0=

1
=5 Hz
0.2

Percentage of Error:
Percentage error ( ) =

Percentage of error ( ) =

TheoreticalExperimental
Theoretical

5.725.00
100=12.58
5.72

B. FREE AND DAMPED OSCILLATION

Table 5: Percentage of Error of Damped Frequency

13.19
0.30
2.88

Experimental

Theoretical

Damped

Damped

Frequency,

Frequency,
35.96
(rad/s)
35.95

12.63

31.42
(rad/s)
31.42

31.42

35.84

12.33

Experiment
1

SAMPLE CALCULATION (EXPERIMENT 1)

i.

EXPERIMENTAL

Logarithmic Decrement:
=ln

x1
x2

1.50
= 0.034
1.45
=ln
Damping Ratio:
=

( 2 )2+ 2

0.034
=0.0054
( 2 )2+ 0.0342

Natural Frequency:
n=

2
T

n=

2
=31.42rad /s
0.20

Damped Natural Frequency:

d=n 1 2

Percentage of
Error (%)

12.60

 d=31.42 10.0054 2=rad /s

ii.

THEORETICAL

Mass Moment of Inertia of the Beam:

J o=

m L2
3

J o=

( 1.68)(0.70)
=0.2744 kg . m2
3

Natural Angular Frequency:

o=

o=

c a2
Jo
(840)(0.65)2
=35.96rad / s
0.2744

Theoretical Damped Frequency:

d=o 1D2
d=35.96 10.00412 =35.96 rad /s

iii.

PERCENTAGE OF ERROR

Percentage error ( ) =

TheoreticalExperimental
Theoretical

Percentage error ( ) =

35.9631.42
100=12.63
35.96

8.0 DISCUSSION

EXPERIMENT 1: FREE AND UNDAMPED

There were three types of springs that had been tested and no damper
had been used in this experiment. All the springs have different spring
coefficient and labelled as spring 1, 2 and 3. There were 5 tests that had
been carried out by us in order to investigate undamped phenomena. As a
matter of fact, it also can be known from the formula of natural frequency,

1 3 c a2
=
2 m L2

where the lever arm, a increases the natural frequency also

will increased. The load on spring decreases when the distance between
spring and fixed mount increase. For experiment 2 and 3 there were
similarity in length of lever arm but different in spring coefficient. From here
it can be seen that when the stiffness of spring increases, the natural
frequency as like natural angular frequency also will increase. It can be
proven from the formula where the higher the stiffness of the spring, the
higher the natural frequency happened.
We can see in the calculation there was a percentage different between
the theoretical calculated values on natural frequency and experimental
values. Here we can conclude that our result of experiment had effected by
some disturbance. As the instruments being so sensitive with the vibration,
the wind factor in the lab might be the one of the disturbance. The little
amount of the wind can affect the result. Moreover, the springs also not in
good condition due to overuse and this affect its constant so the result will
be not so accurate. The beam also might not place horizontally completely
so that the spring will not completely in vertical state. This will causes the
imbalance condition and then effect the oscillation of the cantilever beam.

EXPERIMENT 2: FREE AND DAMPED

For this experiment, the same springs and the damper had been used.
So, the spring coefficient was same in each experiment and the numbers of
experiments were 3 in total. Here, the position of damper on the lever arm
was being manipulated. Then, the varieties in position of damper on the
lever arm affected the frequency of the oscillations. If the viscous damper
placed further from the fixed mount, then the period of oscillation will be
shorter as the result the less frequency happened. As the length of lever arm
increases, the degree of damping also increases. The graph showed the
behaviour of free vibration with viscous damper in cantilever beam. From the
graph, it shown that the shorter the length of lever arm the longer the period
for the system to reach stability state.. It can be concluded that the rate of
losing or absorbing energy is higher when the distance between viscous
damper and fixed mount is farther.
For this experiment, there were some errors in this experiment. One of
them is human error. The force from student on the lever arm during
experiments is not same in every experiment. So, this affected the result.
Also, the mass of viscous damper affect the oscillations. Moreover, the wind
factor also disturbs the experiment and affects the result. Lastly, the external
vibrations nearer to the experiment affect the result too.

9.0 CONCLUSION
For the conclusion, in the theory for the free and undamped oscillation,
the natural frequency is higher when the distance between spring and fixed
mount is longer. It means that the load on spring decrease when the distance
between spring and fixed mount increase or became longer. In another way,

when the lever arm length increases, the natural frequency also increases
while the spring constant is fixed. As for free and damped oscillation, the
longer the lever arm length, the shorter the period of oscillation occurred and
the degree of damping as well as the result of smaller in frequency. Also, in
free and damped oscillation, the longer the distance of the viscous damper
on lever arm, the lower the effect of damping on the decay behaviour. The
objectives of the experiment were completely achieved. The theoretical
natural frequencies of various constants are compared to experimentally
obtained values of damped and undamped free vibrations.