Theory

Vibration is the one of the type of force that have a particular frequency that has in a periodic
input of force. Force vibration can be divided into two conditions which are in damped
situation or undamped situation. Based on this situation it has a different value that we can
get from that experimental value or in theoretical value. Undamped forced vibration, we can
have classified it as the most vibration motion in engineering analysis. Affect from that we
can used its principles and operation which is to describe of various types of machines and
structure.
Natural frequency of a system is a frequency at which it can vibrate freely in simple
harmonic motion, once set in motion. An a degree-of-freedom system will possess natural
frequencies, and corresponding modes of vibration, which can be determined by solving the
equations of motion for the system in free vibration. It is often the case that only the first few
modes will be significant.
If a lightly-damped system is excited at or near one of its natural frequencies, large
amplitude oscillations will occur. This phenomenon is known as resonance. Such large
displacements are likely to cause severe user discomfort in the case of a bridge or building,
and may generate stresses large enough to cause ultimate failure. Over a long period, the
likelihood of damage due to fatigue will also be increased. Thus it is important in design to
know the natural frequencies of the structure and also the frequencies at which excitation is
likely to occur – and to keep them apart. In general, the excitation frequency cannot be
controlled, but the natural frequency of the structure (which depends on its mass and
stiffness) can be altered to avoid resonance. Another method of controlling vibrations is to
attach a vibration absorber to the system which will extract energy at the resonant frequency.
In order to define the resonance of the system i.e. Spring-Dashpot System, we need
to find the natural frequency of the system in free vibration state. By that, we may know
theoretically value of the natural frequency. Next, the exciter will be used to give desired
forced to the system. As we know exciter is capable to generate different type of forcing signal
e.g. sine, swept sine, rectangular, triangular etc.
The effect of damping is to limit the maximum response amplitude and to reduce the
sharpness of resonance, which can be defined as occurring when the drive frequency Ω equals
the natural frequency of the system, ω.
 Based on our learning of the resonance, this phenomenon only occurs if the frequency
of the excitation coincides with the frequency of the system. As the reaction of the
phenomenon’s happen in a short time, we may need define a suitable frequency interval to
record the amplitude that will occurs.

From the theoretical value of the natural frequency, we may generate the frequency
of the system as we may need it for further progress of the experiment. Tabulate a table that
consists of frequency i.e. input frequency through the control unit, as variable value and
amplitude as responding values. From the data collected, analyses it and discuss the result in
discussion part of this experiment. The calculation to determine the theoretical value of the
system is shown in the next page.

Objectives: - Determine the resonance of Spring-Dashpot System in different damping

conditions.

Free-Body Diagram

a Fs

Fd 𝑦 = 𝑎𝜃 𝐹𝑠 = 𝑘𝑦

𝑦̇ = 𝑏𝜃̇ 𝐹𝑑 = −𝑐𝑦̇

𝑀𝑜 = 𝐼0 𝜃̈ ; 𝐼0 𝜃̈ = 𝑏(−𝑐𝑏𝜃̇) − 𝑎(𝑘𝑎𝜃)

= −𝑐𝑏 2 𝜃̇ − 𝑘𝑎2 𝜃

𝐼0 𝜃̈ + 𝑐𝑏 2 𝜃̇ + 𝑘𝑎2 𝜃 = 0

𝑐𝑏 2 𝜃̇ 𝑘𝑎2 𝜃
𝜃̈ + + =0
𝐼0 𝐼0
Based on the general equation: 𝑦̈ + 2ζ𝜔𝑛 𝑦̇ + 𝜔𝑛2 𝑦 = 0

𝑐𝑏 2 𝑘𝑎2
Thus, ζ= 2𝐼 𝜔𝑛 = √
0 𝜔𝑛 𝐼0

The structures are often idealized as simple systems for the purpose of analysis.
The simplest of these is the single-degree-of-freedom (1DOF) spring-mass system
shown in figure below.

In a static analysis, the displacement is simply given by Hooke’s

Law:

i.e. the static spring force is the only force resisting the
loading. However, in a dynamic analysis the loading and 1

displacements vary with time and thus there are also

structural velocities and accelerations to take account of.
The problem can be expressed in an equation of motion
relating inertial, damping, stiffness and loading forces (see
Data Book):

mÿ + λẏ + ky = f

In the absence of damping, the equation of motion in free vibration is

mÿ + ky = 0

which can be solved to give the natural frequency,

Total moment of inertia:

𝐼0 = 𝐼0𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚 + 𝐼0𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟

1 1
= (3 𝑚𝑙 2 + 𝑚𝑘 2 ) + (3 𝑚𝑙 2 + 𝑚𝑘 2 )
𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟

The natural frequency of system:

𝑘𝑎2
𝜔𝑛 = √
𝐼0

Unbalanced force,𝐹0 :

𝐹0 = 𝑚𝑙𝜔𝑛 2

Mass beam = 1.68 kg

Mass unbalance = 50 % of mass beam

= 0.773 kg

𝑙, Original length = 0.65 m

The presence of damping alters the resonant frequency of the system; the maximum
response of a damped system occurs when

𝜔𝑑 = 𝜔𝑛 √1 − ζ2

Which can also be calculated with, 𝜔𝑑 = 2πf

Frequency ratio,𝑟:

𝜔𝑑
𝑟= ⁄𝜔𝑛
Imbalanced Force;

𝜒𝑚
𝐹= ⁄𝐹 ⁄𝑘
0

Χm = Amplitude obtained 𝑘, spring stiffness = 3000 N/m