Table of Contents

TITLE

Moment of Inertia of a flywheel

PAGE Number

1-3

Free Damped Vibrations of a Rigid

Body-Spring System

4-6

Investigation of Rod/Pendulum
Analogy

6-10

Dynamics 2
Assignment 1

Moment of Inertia of a flywheel

1.0

Introduction:

This experiment is an introduction to some basic concepts of rotational dynamics. However, a

fairly realistic analysis of the moment of inertia I of a flywheel and its axle and to estimate
the frictional torque.

2.0 Description of Apparatus:

A flywheel with axle mounted some height above floor level, slotted mass on hanger, a cord,
a 2m rule and a stop watch.

Figure: Experimental apparatus for the moment of inertia experiment.

3.0 Theory:
In this experiment a flywheel at rest with a mass m hanging ( in a gravitational field of
constant g) on the end of a cord and also the mass is positioned a height h above the floor
level. For this reason the system is held stationary, the total energy will be potential energy V
of the mass:
V = mgh ...........................................................................(1)
However, if the system is released so that the mass allowed descending, then the instant
before it touches the ground level, the kinetic energy T is a combination of kinetic energy of
rotation( of the axle and flywheel spinning ) and the kinetic energy of translation of the mass
falling, therefore the kinetic energy is

T=

1|Page

..........................................(2)

MD.MARUFUR RAHMAN
2824013

2010-2011

Dynamics 2
Assignment 1

Where
= the rotational speed of the flywheel.
= the translational speed of the mass falling.
= the moment of inertia.
Consequently, due to friction in the bearings, the flywheel has to carry out work W,

W=

................................................................(3)

= the work done against friction.

= the angle through which the flywheel rotates in radians.
It follows, if no energy is created or destroyed, we have

mgh =

............................(4)

4.0 Experimental Procedure:

Step 1 : Attached the cord to the fixture on the axle of the flywheel.
Step 2 : Griped the flywheel steady and put mass m to the free end of the cord.
Step 3 : Measured the height h of the mass above floor level.
Step 4 : Released the mass and used stop watch to measure time taken
until touch the floor level.
Step 5 : Repeated above step for 200g, 300g, 400g and 700g masses.
=
that just makes the flywheel rotate.
Step 6 : Found the critical mass
Step 7 : Critical mass was measured to overcome friction in the bearings and
Calculated work done,
by using
=

5.0 Experimental results:

Table for average time

Mass (gm)

1st attempt (s)

2nd attempt (s)

3rd attempt (s)

Average Time (s)

200

49.50

50.76

49.65

49.97

300

40.16

40.57

40.98

40.57

400

34.70

35.16

35.62

35.16

700

25.61

25.38

25.63

25.54

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MD.MARUFUR RAHMAN
2824013

2010-2011

Dynamics 2
Assignment 1

Circumference, C = 119.38 mm
Axle radius, r = 18.98 mm
= 0.01898 m
Critical mass,
= 50 gm
= 0.05 Kg
Weight drops, h = 2m =2000 mm
Angle: N=h/C = 2000/119.38
= 16.75 revs
= 33.5 rads

Fly wheel Mass, M = 38.2 Kg

Radius, R = 0.1525 m
Gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81 m/s2
We know, for theoretical flywheel moment of
inertia,

= MR2 kg m2
= *38.2*(0.1525)2
= 0.444 kg m2

Axial velocity, v = 2h/t m/s

Axial angular velocity, = v/r rad/s

=
=0.05*9.81*0.01898
-3
Now
from equation
= 9.3110
Nmno (4) we get

Mass
(Kg)

Height
h (m)

........(5)

Table for 2nd moment of inertia

Angular
Traveling
Average
velocity
speed
Time (s)
V m/s
rad/s

2nd moment of inertia I

Kg m2

0.2

49.97

0.080

4.217

0.331

0.3

40.57

0.099

5.195

0.363

0.4

35.16

0.114

5.994

0.382

0.7

25.54

0.157

8.252

0.374

6.0

Discussion of results:

The moment of inertia of a flywheel and its axle and to estimate the frictional torque was
calculated in this experiment. Here, the experimental 2nd moment of inertia average result
was 0.363 Kg m2, but theoretical value was 0.444 Kg m2 . However, errors could arise in
calculations due to incorrect procedures and critical mass taken, ex - when the mass is
released; it might be pushed with a force thus taking less time to reach the floor. Also, the
reaction time of the student when the mass is released and when it hits the floor might vary.
There were 3 sets of data taken to minimise this error. Other discrepancies could arise from
error in calculations, or incorrect readings of experiment apparatus.

7.0

References:

[1] Meriam J.L., & Karaige. L.G., Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 6th edition, Wiley, 2007.
[2] LSBU, Department of Engineering Systems, Applied Mechanics: Workshop notes, DMS1-162, Session 2005/6.

3|Page

2010-2011

MD.MARUFUR RAHMAN
2824013

Dynamics 2
Assignment 1

Free Damped Vibrations of a Rigid Body-Spring System

1.0

Introduction:

In this experiment the vibrations of a rigid body under damped conditions, from a distance L
to a reference point were observed and the readings were used to explain the relationship
between the two. However, the effect of the position of the dashpot and the corresponding
damping coefficient were assessed in the terms of the natural logarithmic decrement. Values
for the period t and amplitudes of the vibrations were also calculated.

6.0 Description of Apparatus:

The apparatus was as shown in below figure and also the Excitor Motor and Speed Control
unit was required in order to drive the drum on the recorder unit D7. Viscous damper
machine, pen, drum cylinder and paper were also used as experimental apparatus.

Figure: Experimental apparatus for the free damped vibrations of a rigid body-spring system.

7.0 Theory:
The equation of the angular motion we can put in form
+
+
= (1)
And the viscous damping factor

=
We can derive
Make the solution

and
+

" +
"+
=
This is called characteristic equation. Its roots are
#$ = % &( + )( * 1, and #* = % &( )( * 1,.
Linear systems have the property of superposition, which means that the general solution is
the sum of the individual solutions each of which corresponds to one root of the characteristic
equation. Thus, the general solution is
4|Page

= - ./

0)

+ - ./

MD.MARUFUR RAHMAN
2824013

2010-2011

Dynamics 2
Assignment 1

If ( > 1(overdamped), ( = 1(critically damped) and 0 < ( < 1(underdamped).

Here, for each piston area and value L1, use the trace to evaluate the logarithmic decrement.
We had to find periodic time of one complete oscillation ,
6
ln = .(2)
constant a =

78

..(3)

The second moment of area for the beam;

-

!8
9

. (4)

8.0 Experimental Procedure:

Step 1: Set the holes at the damper,
Step 2: Measure the distance from the bolt holding the rod to the damper.
Step 3: Turn on the drum.
Step 4: Pull the rod down, to create the vibration.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1 to 4, with different distances from the holding bolt to the damper.

9.0 Experimental results:

M= 1.92 Kg; L=780 mm = 0.780 m
Drum speed = 292/20 = 14.6 mm/s
=14.610-3 m/s.
Time for x = distance, x(mm)/ drum
speed.
Frequency, f = number of cycles over
distance x / time for distance x.
Period, =
=

: 9
.<

and

= ( ln

= (2*0.47)/0.14
= 6.71 s-1
-

!8

.< ( .?: )

= 9 =
9
= 0.389 Kg m2

C=

=261.19

= 21.08 rads/sec

)/ (5)

A.? ( .9:<)
( .

N/ms-1

or Kg s-1

Table for maximum damping

Length
L1 (m)

0.10

Log
Amplitude decrement
ratio
ln

1.6

0.47

Period
6 (sec)

0.14

Damping
Constant
coefficient
a ( sec -1)
C ( N/ms-1)

6.71

0.15

1.7

0.53

0.21

5.05

0.20

2.1

0.74

0.21

7.07

0.25

2.8

1.03

0.14

14.71

5|Page

Damping
ratio

261.19

3.23

87.37

1.08

68.72

0.85

91.55

1.13

Over
damped
Critical
damped
Under
damped
Critical
damped

MD.MARUFUR RAHMAN
2824013

2010-2011

Dynamics 2
Assignment 1

Table for minimum damping

Length
L1 (m)

Log
Amplitude decrement
ratio
ln

Period
6 (sec)

Damping
Constant
coefficient
a ( sec -1)
C ( N/ms-1)

0.10

1.3

0.26

0.14

3.75

0.15

1.3

0.26

0.14

3.75

0.20

1.4

0.34

0.14

4.81

0.25

1.9

0.64

0.18

7.13

6.0

Damping
ratio

145.80

1.80

64.80

0.80

46.75

0.58

44.39

0.54

Over
damped
Under
damped
Under
damped
Under
damped

Discussion of results:

In this experiment the vibrations of a rigid body under damped conditions, also shown the
graph that the relationship between the damping co-efficient and the length of the beam is
linear. This report has attempted to analyse the different properties of a system under
damped, over damped and critical damped vibration by taking readings of its period,
amplitude ratio, and damping coefficients. However, discrepancies in results could arise
from incorrect readings, or error in calculations.

7.0

References:

[1] Meriam J.L., & Karaige. L.G., Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, 6th edition, Wiley,
2007.
[2] LSBU, Department of Engineering Systems, Applied Mechanics: Workshop notes, DMS1-162, Session 2005/6.
6|Page

MD.MARUFUR RAHMAN
2824013

2010-2011

Dynamics 2
Assignment 1

Investigation of Rod/Pendulum Analogy

1.0

Introduction:

In those experiments we investigate the effect of loading different length rod until they
buckle and the Period for a simple pendulum compare to the angle of release and length of
cord. However, both of them will be either linear or non-linear. In fact many engineering
devices rotate about a fixed point and are examples of a pendulum although they might not
appear to be so at first glance. On the other hand rod mass was negligible and therefore that
the center of mass of the system was at m at the end of rod. Here, we investigated their
phenomena on the basis of theory and experimental data.
2.0

Analogy between Rod and Pendulum:

When buckling occurs a rod will no longer carry any more loads it will simply continue to
displace so that the rod stiffness becomes zero and it is useless as a structural member. To
predict the buckling load we used the Euler buckling formulae which validity depends on
slenderness ratio

B.

D
8

B. =

= Euler buckling load(N).

= Youngs modulus(Nm-1).
= Second moment of area(m4).
= Length of road(m)

C D
8

In the pendulum experiment we observed, how to vary different length of string with angle of
curvature. The pendulum also has a linear relationship between the small angles 10
FG HIJJ and angular acceleration for small angles but for buckling rod it was 40. After this
angle rod was not change the twist, it was bending with constant load.

The period is given by

= C

Where
g = is the gravitational acceleration (m/s2).
L= is the length of string (m).
Basically pendulum was dynamics experiment; consequently buckling rod twisting was
static. But both experiment made curvature with respect to S and t. However, the main
important equation of pendulum and road was as follows:
For Rod

MNN + "O = 0 ; initial condition P(0) = M and P(L) = MQ -----(1)

For Pendulum
+ "O
(2Type equation here.)
7|Page

= 0; initial condition (0) = M and M(0) = ---------

MD.MARUFUR RAHMAN
2824013

2010-2011

Dynamics 2
Assignment 1

t= time
Figure: Pendulum

Pendulum-

Figure: Buckling Rod

_` O

Rod-

_2

_` O
_a

Hence, by investigating above equation pendulum and rod both of them gets acceleration.
Now we can observe from pendulum FBD diagram,
-MgLsinM = ML2O
ML2O + MgLsinM = 0
But from maclaurins series
SinP = P -

cd
e!

cg
h!

SinP P (for small P)

So that above equation we can write
=

Finally pendulum solution equation is

(t)= R sin(t+)-----------------------------------(3)
On the other hand, buckling rod solution equation is

8|Page

MD.MARUFUR RAHMAN
2824013

2010-2011

Dynamics 2
Assignment 1

P(S)= R sin(S+)-----------------------------------(4)
However, we can solve equation (3) and (4) by using pendulum and rod initial
condition.
3.0

Conclusion:

By investigating both theorems we assume that pendulum and buckling rod both can be
twisted with respect to t and S and both can be solved by initial condition and also those
two systems are similar where the rod is in neutral equilibrium for small deflection and the
pendulum is in simple harmonic motion for small angles of release and both can be
represent as a linear system.

7.0

References:

[1] Meriam J.L., & Karaige. L.G., Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, 6th edition, Wiley,
2007.
[2] Palm W.J. , Mechanical Vibration, 3rd edition, Wiley, 2006.
[3] Goss D.V.G.A, Dynamics-2: Lecture notes, 2010-2011
[4] LSBU, Department of Engineering Systems, Applied Mechanics: Workshop notes, DMS1-162, Session 2005/6.

9|Page

MD.MARUFUR RAHMAN
2824013

2010-2011