I

Free & Forced Vibrations- SDOF

OrvilleThomas
H00270613

11/4/2019

MechEnSci 9 – B59EI

Dr. Sibi Chacko

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... 3

2.INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 3

VIBRATION............................................................................................................................................ 3

AMPLITUDE ........................................................................................................................................... 3

FREQUENCY .......................................................................................................................................... 3

FREE VIBRATION ................................................................................................................................... 4

FORCED VIBRATION .............................................................................................................................. 4

PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN ENGINEERING INDUSTRY ............................................................................ 4

OBJECTIVES OF THE LAB ....................................................................................................................... 4

3.THEORY ............................................................................................................................................. 5

LOGARITHMIC DECREMENT OF FREED VIBRATION ................................................................................. 6

EXTERNAL SOURCES FOR FORCED DAMPED VIBRATION ......................................................................... 7

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 8

Freed Vibration ................................................................................................................................ 9

Forced Vibration............................................................................................................................. 10

4.EQUIPMENT .................................................................................................................................... 11

5.PROCEDURE.................................................................................................................................... 12

FREED VIBRATION ............................................................................................................................... 12

FORCED VIBRATION ............................................................................................................................ 12

6.RESULTS & DISCUSSION .............................................................................................................. 13

FREE VIBRATION ................................................................................................................................. 13

FORCED VIBRATION ............................................................................................................................ 13

FREQUENCY PLOT ............................................................................................................................... 14

RISK & RECOMMENDATION ................................................................................................................. 14

7.CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................................... 15

8.REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................... 15

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1 ABSTRACT

From this report, the objective to understand the science behind the vibrational behavior was achieved. We
evaluated the system by considering two cases, a freely damped and forcefully damped mass-spring system
in which the damping medium is water. The different methodologies for analysis was done through Spectra
Quest’s custom-made software to record the vibrations in the form of a displacement-time graph. The natural
frequencies were theoretically calculated, and the damping frequency was experimentally measured to
calculate the damping factor. The damping factor decides if the system is underdamped, critically damped or
over damped. The factor resulted the system into being an underdamped system. The logarithmic decrement
was also determined in the results to observe the differences in it for different damping factor values and
frequency response values. The report was concluded by mentioning about the possible potential errors that
vary from the nuts till the sensors which could tamper with the results under a micro view. The analysis of
vibration helps in real-life application like structural analysis, airplane wings, convertible car roof tops, etc.

2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Vibration

It is the motion of particles that is periodic in nature of an elastic object in opposite alternative directions from
the position of equilibrium once disturbed. Ex: when the chord of a guitar produces musical tones). The action
of vibrating is called Oscillating.[1] The two most important numerical descriptions of any vibration are
amplitude and frequency.

2.2 Amplitude

The amplitude depicts the intensity of the vibration or the magnitude. Hence the larger the amplitude, the more
movement or stress is experienced. Amplitude of a vibration depends on the size, speed, and the force
associated with the movement.

2.3 Frequency

The frequency is the number of oscillations or the oscillation rate of vibration (i.e. the frequency an object
vibrates.) Hence the higher the frequency, the higher the oscillation. The frequency of a vibrating component
can be determined by counting the number of oscillation cycles that are completed every second.
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2.4 Free Vibration

An object is freely vibrating when it is initially excited and then free to move without any
long-term, external excitation restraint. Decaying oscillation with a relatively short duration
is caused due to damping. For example, when a child pulls back on a swing and let’s go, the
swing vibrates at its natural frequencies and eventually damps to down to being still with minimal energy.

2.5 Forced Vibration

An object is under forced vibration when the object undergoes external excitation
periodically and attains the same frequency as the forcing function after the decay of initial
transients for example, the swing is pushed on each downswing for the swing to be
excited.

2.6 Practical Applications in Engineering Industry

In the washing machine industry, the design of the machine is always being optimized. Current trends are
towards lightweight designs and cheaper yet high quality materials. But lightweight results into more
oscillatory motion during the spin cycles of the drum. The vibrational effect under one or more SDOF’s (single
degree of freedom) is considered for calibration. Factors considered for the design should be the masses,
dimensions, rotational, speeds etc.)

2.7 Objectives of this Lab

In this lab experiment, two conditions are considered. Firstly, when the spring undergoes natural vibration.
Secondly, when the spring vibrates under a forced vibration. In both cases the displacement time graph is to
be recorded within a time duration of 10 & 15 seconds respectively. The frequency response also needs to be
plotted with respect to amplitude for the forced vibration. While the free vibration is perceived in the time
domain, forced vibration is measured in the frequency domain. The displacement can be compared from ideal
to real values.
[2]

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3 THEORY

Let us consider a SHM (simple harmonic system) to help us understand the

dynamics under free and forced vibrations when at a SDOF.

∞ Newton’s 2nd law says: -

Net force = mass*acceleration

Figure 1 FBD of Free Damped Vibration

∑F = Ma (1)

Or using “dot” notation or as a function of displacement

∑F = M𝑥̈ [𝑥̈ = 𝑎] [Inertial Force] (2)

∞ Viscous Damping Force (Fd) is proportional to velocity: -

𝐹𝑑 = 𝑐𝑥̇ [where c is the constant of proportionality or the damper rate; units: Nsec/m] (3)
[𝑥̇ = 𝑣, 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦]
∞ Hooke’s Law says: -
F = kx [where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement or change in length] (4)

∞ Since the motion is in the vertical direction, the effect of gravity will not influence the dynamics.
∞ According to D’Alembert’s Principle: -
∑ (Inertial forces + External Forces) = 0

∞ Once we apply Newton’s 2nd law to this system, it can be rearranged and converted into standard form
as
𝑐 𝑘 (5)
𝑥̈ + 𝑥̇ + 𝑥 = 0
𝑀 𝑀

∞ The undamped natural frequency of this SHM can be denoted by ωn and can be calculated as:
𝑘 (6)
ω𝑛 = √𝑀 [where m is mass and k is stiffness]

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∞ MATLAB provides tools for simulating such differential equations. One of which is the function
ODE45(), and it requires that you pass it the name of a function that it can call to calculate the
acceleration. There is a critical value of damping that will cause a damped harmonic oscillator to return
to its equilibrium position in the shortest time. The critical damping value can be calculated as:
𝐶𝐶 = 2√𝑘𝑀 = 2𝑀ω𝑛 (7)

∞ Damping Ratio or damping factor, ζ is the ratio of the actual damping coefficient (c) to the critical
damping coefficient (cc):
𝑐 (8)
ζ=
2𝑀ω𝑛

∞ Substituting (8) and (6) in (5)

𝑥̈ + 2ζω𝑛 𝑥̇ + ω2𝑛 𝑥 = 0 (9)

∞ The relation between damped and undamped natural frequency is: -

ω𝑑 = ω𝑛 √1 − ζ2 (10)

3.1 Logarithmic Decrement for Freed Vibration

To find the natural frequency of damped free vibration, logarithmic decrement is defined as the natural
logarithm of the amplitude reduction factor. It is denoted by δ.
The amplitude reduction factor is the ratio of two successive amplitudes on the same side of the mean position.
x1
As per Figure 1, if x1 and x2 are 2 successful amplitudes, then the amplitude reduction factor will be x2.

Hence, δ is the log of the amplitude reduction factor which is the exponential decreasing curve.
𝑥
i.e. δ = log(𝑥1 ) (11)
2

Figure 2 Underdamped Displacement-Time Graph

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∞ Now, to get the solution we must assume a harmonic solution that 𝑥 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑠𝑡 [A is a complex
𝑟𝑎𝑑
coefficient, 𝑠 = 𝑖𝜔, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜔 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑖𝑛 ( )]. (12)
𝑠

∞ Hence due to the first-time derivative of the displacement, 𝑥̇ = 𝑠𝐴𝑒 𝑠𝑡 (13) & 𝑥̈ = 𝑠 2 𝐴𝑒 𝑠𝑡 (14)
∞ The equations for displacement in for the following 3 conditions are obtained after plugging in (12,
13, 14) in (9) and further differentiating, finding roots of unknown values and simplifying: -
Overdamped (𝜁 > 1) Critical Damped (𝜁 = 1) Underdamped (𝜁 < 1)
𝑥 = 𝐴𝑒 (−𝜁+√−1+𝜁
2)ω 𝑡
𝑛 + 𝐵𝑒 (−𝜁−√−1+𝜁
2)ω 𝑡
𝑛 𝑥 = (𝐴 + 𝐵𝑡)𝑒 −𝜁ω𝑛 𝑡 = (𝐴 + 𝐵𝑡)𝑒 ω𝑛 𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑋0 𝑒−𝜁ω𝑛𝑡 sin(ω𝑛 √−1 + 𝜁2 𝑡 + ɸ)

∞ When the system is underdamped from Figure 1, the damping factor will have a maximum value of 1
at any peak of the sin wave. Therefore,
𝑥1 = 𝑥0 𝑒 −𝜁ω𝑛𝑡1 (15)

𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑥2 = 𝑥0 𝑒 −𝜁ω𝑛𝑡2 (16)

x1 𝑥 𝑒 −𝜁ω𝑛𝑡1
∞ As we take the ratio of x1 and x2 we get x2 = 𝑥0𝑒 −𝜁ω𝑛𝑡2 = 𝑒 𝜁ω𝑛(𝑡2−𝑡1)
0

∞ As per Figure 1, the time required for 1 cycle of vibration to occur is at a damped frequency (ω𝑑 ).
∞ Time required is 𝑡2 − 𝑡1 . Hence, 𝑡2 − 𝑡1 = ω𝑑 = ω𝑛 √1 − ζ2 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠[𝑎𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 (10)]
∞ In SI units, time required
2𝜋 (17)
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐
ω𝑛 √1 − ζ2

∞ Therefore, for an undamped system, if its N cycles to separate the logarithmic decrement

δ = log (𝑥
𝑥1
)=
2𝜋ζ𝑁 (18)
𝑛+1 √1−ζ2

and hence ζ2 = 𝛿2 +(2𝜋𝑁)2

𝛿2 (19)

[3]
3.2 External Sources for Forced Damped Vibration

∞ While the free vibration is perceived in the time domain, forced vibration is
measured in the frequency domain. This emphasizes the magnitude and phase
dependence on frequency and enables the convenient identification of natural
frequencies.

Figure 3 FBD of
Forced Vibration

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∞ A typical source of forced vibration in mechanical systems is rotating imbalance. In forced vibration,
large vibrations occur when the forcing frequency, ω, is near a system natural frequency, ω𝑛 .
∞ The external force exciting a forced vibration is assumed to be sinusoidal. Considering a sinusoidal or
a harmonic excitation or force acting in the positive direction on the system, any external excitation
force can be thought of as a sum of sinusoidal forces. Hence the force F on the mass m is
𝐹 = 𝐹0 sin 𝜔𝑡 (20)
Hence the displacement position is 𝑥 = 𝑋0 sin(𝜔𝑡 − ɸ) [where 𝑋0 is the amplitude of (21)
the response sine wave and ɸ is the measure of the delay between F and 𝐹0 .
∞ The displacement can be differentiated to derive velocity and acceleration.
𝑥̇ = 𝜔𝑋0 cos(𝜔𝑡 − ɸ) (22)

𝑥̈ = −𝜔2 𝑋0 sin(𝜔𝑡 − ɸ) (23)

∞
𝑐 𝑘
According to D’Alembert’s principle; 𝑥̈ + 𝑀 𝑥̇ + 𝑀 𝑥 = 𝐹0 sin 𝜔𝑡 (24)

∞ All factors in the above equation can be represented onto a Y-axis of a cartesian
co-ordinate system [Figure 4].
∞ With the help of Pythagoras theorem, we can learn that
𝑐𝜔
𝐹0 = (√(𝑘 − 𝑀𝜔 2 )2 + (𝑐𝜔)2 )𝑋0 and ɸ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (𝑘−𝑚𝜔2 ) Figure 4 Vector graph
of factors on Forced
∞ As we keep the excited force constant, we can measure the change in amplitude Vibration
𝑋0 1
of the mass. Hence rearranging the previous equation; =
𝐹0 √(𝑘−𝑀𝜔2 )2 +(𝑐𝜔)2)

∞ After the decay of initial transition, a static deflection will exist due to the forced vibration.
𝑘 𝜔
𝑌𝑜 = 𝐹 and 𝑛 = 𝜔 [n is the frequency ratio and n𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 = √1 − 2ζ2 ] (25)
0 𝑛

∞ With the help of equation of (6), (8) and (23); the change in amplitude can be found as:
𝑋0 1 (26)
=
𝑌0 √((1 − 𝑛2 )2 + (2𝜁𝑛)2 )

∞ And the phase lag;

2𝜁𝑛
ɸ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (1−𝑛2 ) (27)

[4]

The application of the above equations is plugged into sample calculations below.

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3.3 SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

3.3.1 Free Vibrations

𝑥1 = 0.267mm 𝑥2 =0.209mm
𝑡1 = 0.139𝑠 𝑡2 = 0.311𝑠

Calculations
𝑵 M =0.557kg
𝒌 = 𝟕𝟐𝟓. 𝟑𝟑[ ]
𝒎
𝒙𝟏 𝟎. 𝟐𝟔𝟕 𝛿2 0.244912
𝛅 = 𝐥n ( ) = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 ( ) = 𝟎. 24491 ζ2 = = = 1.517𝑒 − 3
𝒙𝒏+𝟏 𝟎. 𝟐𝟎𝟗 𝛿2 + (2𝜋𝑁)2 0.244912 + (2𝜋)2
𝟐𝝅
𝛚𝒏 = = 𝟑𝟔. 557𝑯𝒛
𝟐 ζ = 0.03894
(𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟏 )√𝟏 − 𝜻
𝟐𝝅 𝟐𝝅
𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟏 = = ω𝑑𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 = ω𝑛 √1 − ζ2 = 36.5301𝐻𝑧
𝛚𝒏 √𝟏 − 𝛇𝟐 𝟑𝟔. 𝟎𝟖𝟔√𝟏 − 𝟏. 517𝒆 − 3
= 𝟎. 𝟏𝟕𝟒2𝒔𝒆𝒄

Frequency ratio,
𝑛 = ω𝑑𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 /(ω𝑛 ) = 0.999

∞ Since the value of damping factor is less than 1, it is safe to say that the vibration is an
underdamped system.

3.3.2 Forced Vibrations

∞ The RPM (N) or frequency recorded for each 5 external forces during the lab is as follows:

𝑁1 𝑁2 𝑁3 𝑁4 𝑁5
313 rpm = 5.2167Hz 415rpm = 6.917Hz 242rpm = 4.034Hz 618rpm = 10.3Hz 271rpm = 4.517Hz

∞ The graph [Figure 16] is plotted by considering 𝑵𝟏 as the RPM of the motor.
𝑥1 = 0.411mm 𝑥2 =0.756mm
𝑡1 = 0.0157𝑠 𝑡2 = 0.159𝑠

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Calculations
𝑵 M =0.557kg
𝒌 = 𝟕𝟐𝟓. 𝟑𝟑[ ]
𝒎
𝒙𝟏 𝟎. 756 𝛿2 0.609442
𝛅 = 𝐥n ( ) = 𝐥𝐧 ( ) = 𝟎. 60944 ζ2 = = = 9.32𝑒 − 3
𝒙𝒏+𝟏 𝟎. 411 𝛿2 + (2𝜋𝑁)2 0.609442 + (2𝜋)2
𝟐𝝅
𝛚𝒏 = = 44.052𝑯𝒛
ζ = 0.09654
(𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟏 )√𝟏 − 𝜻𝟐
𝟐𝝅 𝟐𝝅
𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟏 = = ω𝑑𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 = ω𝑛 √1 − ζ2 = 43.846𝐻𝑧
𝛚𝒏 √𝟏 − 𝛇𝟐 𝟑𝟔. 𝟎𝟖𝟔√𝟏 − 𝟏. 517𝒆 − 3
= 𝟎. 1433𝒔𝒆𝒄

∞ Frequency ratio,
𝑛 = ω𝑑𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 /(ω𝑛 ) = 0.99533

∞ Therefore, the amplitude ratio on a forced damped vibration system: -

𝑋0 1 1
= = = 5.1974
𝑌0 √((1 − 𝑛2 )2 + (2ζ𝜔)2 ) √(1 − (0.99533)2 + (2 ∗ 0.09654 ∗ 0.99533)2 )

∞ Hence, the phase lag,

2𝜁𝑛
ɸ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( ) = 87.2241𝑜
1 − 𝑛2
∞ Since the value of damping factor is less than 1, it is safe to say that the vibration is an
underdamped system.

∞ To find the value of amplitude of all the 5 readings 5 graphs were plotted with the recorded
displacements on the Y- axis and time (15seconds) on the X-axis.

∞ Therefore amplitude1, 𝑋0 1 = 𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑃𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑃𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 = 0.904𝑚𝑚

∞ Similarly,
𝑋0 2 𝑋0 3 𝑋0 4 𝑋0 5
0.572mm 0.372mm 0.779mm 0.5mm

The frequency plot of all the 5 readings is plotted with the forced amplitudes on the Y-axis and the recorded
RPM’s of each readings on the X-axis.

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4 Equipment

Figure 5
Figure 9

Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8

1. 2. Tachometer 3. Effective spring and 4. Eccentric Rotor 5. Cylinder Piston

Accelerometer(pote to measure the mass career of the mass wheel Type Viscous
ntiometer) to RPM on the spring module held with Damper (Viscous
analogically eccentric rotor a nut & bolt system. medium is water).
increase the speed
of the eccentric
rotor wheel.

Figure 10

Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14

6.Wireless 7. Mass-Spring 8. Modular bench scale - 9. Equipment 10. SpectraQuests

Sensors to collect Damper Module Vibration fundamentals manufacture and few custom built VFT
data in the – Setup for free Training System. technical details. software to
framework of a vibration test perform wide
wireless data gamut of
acquisition vibration
system. experiments.

∞ Displacement, force, acceleration is measured to describe vibration and mechanics of structures, the device is
useful for learning how to use different types of transducers and associated signal conditioning issues.
Applications of tachometers etc. in studies of vibration phenomena can be investigated. Data acquisition and
importance of signal processing in proper analysis can be emphasized.[5]

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5 PROCEDURE

5.1 Free Vibrations

The mass-spring module (Figure 12) is to be prepared for the free vibration test and the forced
vibration test.
For the free vibration test, initially the mass of the weight and spring stiffness value is to be noted
down.
The custom built VFT software should be ready to record the damped vibration behavior from the
spring-mass system. The time limit for logging should be inputted as 10seconds into the software.
(Figure 14)
The weight carrying mass is to be pushed down and left immediately and the vibrations should be
recorded on the software. (Figure 11)
The spring-mass system shouldn’t be disturbed or interrupted at all when the software is running.
If unsure, then repeat the experiment until satisfied.
Copy the recorded log and open in excel file or MATLAB to plot the graph
Save the file before closing.

5.2 Forced Vibrations

Spring-mass module is to be externally excited with the eccentric rotor wheel. [Figure 9]
The motor is to be controlled by the accelerometer(potentiometer), The motor controls the rpm of the
rotor wheel. [Figure 5]
The time limit should be inputted as 15seconds into the software. [Figure 14]
In order to take 5 readings, the force needs to be applied on the spring-mass module at 5 different rotor
speeds.
The rpm of the eccentric rotor is to be measured with the tachometer for each new force applied.
[Figure 6]
The amplitude is to be recorded carefully on the software without any interruptions for a logged time
period of 15 seconds.
Save the logged values of amplitude from the VFT software and export it onto a text file.
The graph needs to be made on excel or MATLAB.

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6 RESULTS & DISCUSSION

FORCED DAMPED VIBRATION S DOF

FREE DAMPED VIBRATION S DOF 1
0.3
0.8
0.2 0.6
Displacement

Displacement
0.1 0.4
0.2
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0
-0.1 -0.2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

-0.2 -0.4
-0.6
-0.3
Time(s) -0.8 Time(s)

Figure 15 Free Vibration Graph Figure 16 Forced Vibration Graph

FREQUENCY PLOT

1
Amplitude(mm)

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 5 10 15
Frequency(Hz)

Figure 17 Frequency Plot

6.1 Free Vibration

The spring-mass system when faced with a base excitation, retracts to equilibrium eventually due to damped
force or through the transient moment will decay as time passes. Such a freely damped system can have
transient solutions for a fairly stretched amount of time as the vibration has not reduced from 2secs till 10
seconds in [Figure 15]. The displacement of the wave is proportional to the initial force applied to the system.
Frequency of the free vibration changes with respect to the mass and spring coefficient. As we can see there
is hardly a difference between the natural and the damped frequency as the system is underdamped (the
damping factor was close to 0). The frequencies both, natural and damped, when equal to each other would
create resonance which could impact the spring and further create more vibrations causing the nuts and bolts
to get loose.

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6.2 Forced Vibration

The system is an underdamped sinusoidal wave as the damping factor is less than zero. The viscous fluid is
water. From the graph, we can see that due to the sinusoidal movement of the wave, each frequency response
reaches its peak a short time after the forces reaches a peak. The phase angle was calculated to be
approximately 90 deg (exactly 87.2241𝑜 ) out of phase with a displacement and has the opposite sign from
velocity. So, the delay between the force reaching the peak and the response reaching its peak is almost 90
deg. The viscous damping force is inversely proportional to velocity. The frequencies both, natural and
damped, when equal would create resonance which could impact the spring and further create more vibrations
causing the nuts and bolts to get loose. [Figure 16]

6.3 Frequency Plot

Due to the eccentricity of the rotor, the amplitude is maximum when the speed of the rotor is not too fast
allowing the uneven diameter of the rotor to apply more pressure on the spring. Whereas, when the speed
increases, the rotor spins even quickly such that time allows the damping factor to increase which decreases
the amplitude of the wave. The eccentric nature of the rotor makes the amplitude and frequency plot to be
linear and parabolic, but the consistency of the data sets allows the wave to have a harmonic pattern.
Experience has shown that 10 to 15 iterations are generally adequate to study the trendline of the wave.
[Figure 17]

6.4 Risk & Recommendations: -

∞ Risk Assessment form is to be understood and signed by all members of the group before any
professional lab experiment.
∞ Since the tachometer reading is done as the instrument is freely held by hand, there can be an error of
200 – 300 units of RPM to increase or decrease.
∞ The accelerometer reading is manually adjusted and there is no way to automatically set a desired
RPM for the rotor. So, it would be recommended to get a metered accelerometer as an advancement.
∞ As the values of both the natural and the damped frequencies get very close to each other, the vibration
reaches a state of resonance which would affect the grip of the screws resulting it to become loose and
wobbly.
∞ The atmosphere should be calm as the vibrations from our voices could be picked up by the sensors
which can influence the results.

One degree of freedom vibration experiments Free & Forced Response

15

7 CONCLUSIONS

The experiment on freely damped mass-spring system and forcefully damped mass-spring system allows and
demonstrates certain dynamic principles of the nature of vibrating objects. The condition being the system
needs to have a single degree of freedom and vertically placed. Spectra Quest’s custom-made software is being
used to observe and analyze the experiment. During the freely damped vibration, the mass-spring setup was
excited from the base and the vibration was recorded for 10 seconds. Whereas, for the forced vibration, the
setup was excited with an eccentric rotor attached at the top. The damping medium used was water.
The amplitude-frequency plot of the forced vibrations explains the following: -
∞ The amplitude and frequency response of the waves reaches its peaks within a short time.
∞ The eccentricity of the rotor explains that the uneven bumps on the rotor results in a quick rise in
amplitude which increases vibration and allows the frequency to rise proportionately.

8 REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] "Merriam Webster." https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vibration#other-words

(accessed.
[2] Sorbothane. "The Basics of Vibration and
Damping in Engineered
Designs." https://www.sorbothane.com/Data/Sites/31/pdfs/whitepapers/the-basics-of-vibration-
and-damping-in-engineered-designs.pdf (accessed December 1st, 2019).
[3] L. Meirovitch, FUNDAMENTALS OF VIBRATION. 2003.
[4] Schmitz, Tony, Smith, and Scott, "Machining Dynamics," ed: Springer, 2019, p. 382.
[5] S. Quest. "Vibrations Fundamental Training System." https://spectraquest.com/education-
&-training/details/vft/ (accessed.

One degree of freedom vibration experiments Free & Forced Response