UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

7th Semester – Academic Year Aug-Dec 2019

UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations
Question Bank

UNIT – I, Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Vibrations

1. Define Mechanical Vibrations

2. Define oscillation
3. Differentiate between vibration and oscillation
4. Give two examples each of the bad and the good effects of vibration
5. Name the elementary parts/parameters of a vibrating systems
6. Define number of degrees-of-freedom
7. Define discrete or lumped parameter systems
8. Define continuous or distributed systems
9. Differentiate between discrete and continuous system
10. List the advantages of discrete system over continuous system in vibration studies
11. List the classification of vibration
12. Define free vibration and forced vibration
13. Define undamped and damped vibration
14. Define Linear and non-linear vibration
15. Define deterministic and random vibration
16. List the steps involved in vibration analysis procedure
17. Write the free hand sketch of a motorcycle with a rider and show any three mathematical
model considered for vibration analysis
18. What is the role of spring elements in a vibration analysis
19. What is the role of mass or inertia elements in a vibration analysis
20. What is the role of damping elements in a vibration analysis
21. List the types of damping model
22. Define periodic motion
23. Define simple harmonic motion
24. Define natural frequency
25. Define cycle, amplitude and period of oscillation associate with vibration
26. Define phase angle
27. Define resonance

1 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Mathematical model (Vibration model or Dynamic model) of a Forging Hammer

1. Figure 1 shows a forging hammer. Develop a sequence of two mathematical models of the
system for investigating vibration in the vertical direction. Consider the elasticity and
damping of the soil, elasticity and damping of the pad, masses of the foundation block and
anvil.

Fig. 1 Forging hammer

Mathematical model (Vibration model or Dynamic model) of a motorcycle with a rider

2. Figure 2 shows a motorcycle with a rider. Develop a sequence of three mathematical
models of the system for investigating vibration in the vertical direction. Consider the
elasticity of the tires, elasticity and damping of the struts (in the vertical direction), masses
of the wheels, and elasticity, damping, and mass of the rider.

Fig. 2 Motorcycle with a rider

2 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Mathematical model (Vibration model or Dynamic model) of a human body and a restraint
system
3. Figure 3 shows a human body and a restraint system at the time of an automobile collision.
Suggest a simple mathematical model by considering the elasticity, mass, and damping of
the seat, human body, and restraints for a vibration analysis of the system

Fig. 3 A human body and a restraint system

Spring Constant of a rod
4. Find the equivalent spring constant of a uniform rod of length l, cross-sectional area A, and
Young’s modulus E subjected to an axial tensile (or compressive) force F as shown in
Figure 4.

Fig. 4 Spring constant of a rod

Spring Constant of cantilever beam

5. Find the equivalent spring constant of a cantilever beam subjected to a concentrated load F
at its end as shown in Figure 5

Fig. 5 Cantilever with end force

3 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Equivalent k of series-parallel springs

6. Find the equivalent spring constant of the system shown in Figure 6.

Fig. 6 Combinations of spring system

Torsional Spring Constant of a Propeller Shaft

7. Determine the torsional spring constant of the steel propeller shaft shown in Figure 7

Fig. 7 Propeller shaft

8. Figure 8 shows the suspension system of a freight truck with a parallel-spring
arrangement. Find the equivalent spring constant of the suspension if each of the three
helical springs is made of steel with a shear modulus ‫ = ܩ‬80 × 10ଽ ܰ/݉ଶ and has five
effective turns, mean coil diameter ‫ = ܦ‬20 ܿ݉, and wire diameter ݀ = 2ܿ݉

Fig. 8 Parallel arrangement of springs in a freight truck

4 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Equivalent k of a Hoisting Drum

9. A hoisting drum, carrying a steel wire rope, is mounted at the end of a cantilever beam as
shown in Figure 9. Determine the equivalent spring constant of the system when the
suspended length of the wire rope is l. Assume that the net cross-sectional diameter of the
wire rope is d and the Young’s modulus of the beam and the wire rope is E. [Neglect the
weight of the hoisting drum]

Fig. 9 Hoisting drum

Spring Constant Associated with the Restoring Force due to Gravity

10. Find the spring constant associated with the restoring force due to gravity for the system
shown in Figure 10

Fig. 10 Simple Pendulum System

5 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

11. Oil drum of diameter d and mass m floats in a bath of sea water of density ρw as shown in
Figure 11. Considering a small displacement x of the oil drum from its static equilibrium
position, determine the equivalent spring constant associated with the restoring force

Fig. 11 Oil drum floating in sea water

12. Figure 12 shows a three-stepped bar fixed at one end and subjected to an axial force F at
the other end. All the steps are made of the same material with Young’s modulus E. Find
the equivalent spring constant (or stiffness) of the stepped bar, keq in the axial direction so
that F = keq x

Fig. 12 A stepped bar subjected to axial force

13. Figure 13 shows three-stepped shaft fixed at one end and subjected to a torsional moment
T at the other end. All the steps are made of the same material with shear modulus G. Find
the equivalent spring constant (or stiffness) of the stepped shaft, kteq in the torsional
direction so that T = kteq θ

Fig. 13 A stepped shaft subjected to torsional moment

6 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Equivalent Mass of a System

14. A rig bar pivoted at point O is supporting three masses m1, m2 and m3 as shown in Figure
14. Assume the location of the equivalent mass to be that of mass m1. If l1 = 1 m, l2 = 2 m
and l3 = 3 m; m1 = 2 kg, m2 = 3 kg and m3 = 4 kg Find the equivalent mass of the system

Fig. 14 A rig bar supporting three masses

15. A rigid bar pivoted at point O is supporting three masses m1, m2 and m3 as shown in Figure
15. Assume the location of the equivalent mass to be that of mass m2. If l1 = 1 m, l2 = 2 m
and l3 = 3 m; m1 = 2 kg, m2 = 3 kg and m3 = 4 kg and an equivalent spring of stiffness 200
N/m is fixed vertically at m2. Find the natural frequency of the system.

Fig. 15 A rigid bar with three masses

16. A rack and pinion arrangement is shown in Figure 16. It is the interest of a designer to
estimate the natural frequency of the rack considering the pinion in place as shown. It is
known that mass of the rack, m = 30 kg, mass polar moment of inertia of the pinion, Jo =
10 kg-m2 and radius of the pinion, R = 0.15m. Equivalent spring constant along the rack is
1,200 N/m. Get the equation of motion for the system and estimate the natural frequency.

Fig. 16 Rack and pinion arrangement

7 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

17. A rack and pinion arrangement

ngement is shown in Figure 17.. It is the interest of a designer to
estimate the natural frequency of the pinion considering the rack in place as shown. It is
known that mass of the rack, m = 30 kg, mass polar moment of inertia of the pinion, Jo
2
= 10 kg-m and radius of the pinion, R = 0.15m. Equivalent torsional spring constant at the
centre of the pinion is 26 N
N-m/rad.
m/rad. Get the equation of motion for the system and estimate
the natural frequency.

Fig. 17 Rack and pinion arrangement

18. Find the equivalent
valent spring constant and equivalent mass of the system shown in Figure 18
with references to θ . Assume that the bars AOB and CD are rigid with negligible mass.
mass

Fig. 18 System to calculate equivalent stiffness and equivalent mass

8 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Harmonic Analysis
19. A simple harmonic motion has an amplitude of 2.5 cm and a period of 2 sec. Determine
the maximum velocity and maximum acceleration
గ
20. A harmonic motion is given by the equation ‫ݔ‬ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ = 8 sin ቀ10‫ ݐ‬− ቁ ݉݉, where phase
ସ

angle is in radians and t in seconds. Find,

a. Period of motion
b. Frequency
c. Maximum displacement
d. Maximum velocity and
e. Maximum acceleration

21. Find the sum of the two harmonic motions,

‫ݔ‬ଵ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ = 10 cos ߱‫ ݐ‬and ‫ݔ‬ଶ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ = 15 cosሺ߱‫ ݐ‬+ 2ሻ , using trigonometric relations

22. A harmonic motion has a frequency of 12 Hz and its maximum velocity is 3 m/s.
Determine it period, amplitude and maximum acceleration.

23. A simple harmonic motion has amplitude of 30 mm and a period of 2s. Determine the
maximum velocity and acceleration.

24. A harmonic motion has a frequency of 10 Hz and its maximum velocity is 2.5 m/s.
Determine its amplitude, period and maximum acceleration.

25. Find the sum of the two harmonic motions ‫ݔ‬ଵ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ = 2 cosሺ߱‫ ݐ‬+ 0.5ሻ and
‫ݔ‬ଶ ሺ‫ݐ‬ሻ = 5 sinሺ߱‫ ݐ‬+ 1ሻ , using trigonometric relations

9 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Unit I Chapter 2: Free Vibration of Single-degree-of-freedom Systems

1. State the parameters corresponding to m, c, k and x for a torsional system and their units
2. What effect does a decrease in mass have on the frequency of a system
3. What effect does a decrease in the stiffness of the system have on the natural period
4. Why does the amplitude of free vibration gradually diminish in practical systems?
5. Is the frequency of a damped free vibration smaller or greater than the natural frequency of
the system?
6. What is the use of the logarithmic decrement?
7. What is critical damping and what is its importance?
8. What happens to the energy dissipated by damping?
9. Derive an expression for response of a single-degree-of-freedom undamped free
vibration spring-mass system
10. Derive an expression for response of a single-degree-of-freedom damped free vibration
spring-mass system

Natural frequency of spring-mass system

1. A ¼ kg mass is suspended by a spring having a stiffness of 0.1533 N/mm. Determine its
natural frequency in rad/sec and cycles per sec (Hz). Also determine its static deflection
Vibration parameters
2. A block of mass 0.05 kg is suspended from a spring having a stiffness of 25 N/m. The
block is displaced downward from its equilibrium position through a distance of 2 cm and
released with upward velocity of 3 cm/s. Determine the (i) Natural frequency, (ii) Period
of oscillation, (iii) maximum velocity, (iv) Maximum acceleration and (v) Phase angle
3. Determine the natural frequency of a spring mass system, where the mass of the spring is
0.3 kg and stiffness of the spring is 10, 000 N/m and attached with a mass of 100 kg
4. If the length of a pendulum is increased by 4 times, what would be the change in its natural
frequency compared to original frequency?
5. A wooden rectangular prism 40 x 60 x 120 cm floats in a fluid, when disturbed vertically;
it has a period of 0.5 sec. Determine the fluid density. Mass of block is 40 kg
6. An oscillating system with a natural frequency of 3.98 Hz starts with an initial
displacement of ࢞૙ = ૚૙ ࢓࢓ and an initial velocity of ࢞ሶ ૙ = ૚૛૞ ࢓࢓/࢙.Calculate all
the vibration parameters involved and the time taken to reach the first peak

10 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

7. Natural frequency of a spring-mass system considering the mass of the spring:

Determine the natural frequency of a spring-mass system considering the mass of the spring
shown in Figure 1.

l dy
xs

m x

Fig.1 Spring-mass system

8. The exhaust from a single-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine is to be connected to a

silencer, and the pressure therein is to be measured with a simple U-tube manometer
shown in Figure 2. Calculate the minimum length of the manometer tube so that the
natural frequency of oscillation of the mercury column will be 3.5 times slower than the
frequency of the pressure fluctuations in the silencer at an engine speed of 600 rpm. The
frequency of pressure fluctuation in the silencer is equal to (Number of cylinders * Speed
of the engine)/2

Fig. 2 Simple U-tube manometer

11 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Polar moment of inertia of a wheel and tire

9. An automobile wheel and tire are suspended by a steel rod 0.50 cm in diameter and 2 m
long, as shown in Figure 3. When the wheel is given an angular displacement and released,
it makes 10 oscillations in 30.2 sec. Determine the polar moment of inertia of the wheel
and tire. Assume the shear modulus of steel as G = 80 x 109 N/m2

Fig. 3 Automobile wheel and tire suspended by a steel rod

10. An automobile wheel and tire are suspended by a steel rod 10 mm diameter and 2.5 m
long, and given a small angular displacement and released; it makes 15 oscillations in 45
seconds. Determine the moment of inertia of the wheel and tire. Take G = 80 GPa

Natural frequency of a simple pendulum system

11. Determine the equation of motion and natural frequency of a simple pendulum neglecting
the mass of the rod, shown in Figure 4

Fig. 4 Simple Pendulum System

12 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

12. Determine the equation of motion and natural frequency of a simple pendulum considering
the mass of the rod, shown in Figure 5

Fig. 5 Simple Pendulum System

13. Determine the equation of motion and natural frequency of a simple pendulum with a
spring as shown in Figure 6

a
l

Fig. 6 Simple Pendulum System with a spring (Bottom mass)

13 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

14. Determine the equation of motion and natural frequency of a simple pendulum with two
springs as shown in Figure 7.

Fig. 7 Simple Pendulum System with two springs

15. Determine the equation of motion and natural frequency of a simple pendulum with a
spring as shown in Figure 8

l
O
m
a

Fig. 8 Simple Pendulum System with a spring (Horizontal position)

Spring-Roller system
16. Determine the equation of motion and natural frequency the system shown in Figure 9.

k r
O

A
Fig. 9 Spring-Roller system

14 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

17. Determine the equation of motion and find the natural frequency the system shown in
Figure 10.

Fig. 10 Roller system with two springs

Spring-mass and pulley system
18. Determine the equation of motion and natural frequency the system shown in Figure 11.
(Equivalent moment of inertia of the pulley is taken as I0)

Fig. 11 Spring-mass and pulley system

Spring-mass and pulley system

19. Determine the equation of motion and natural frequency the system shown in Figure 12.
(Neglect the mass of the pulleys)

Fig. 12 Spring-mass and pulley system

15 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

20. Determine the equation of motion and find the natural frequency the system shown in
Figure 13.

r
A O
Inextensible M
cord

Fig. 13 Spring-mass and pulley system

21. Determine the equation of motion and find the natural frequency the system shown in
Figure 14.

Fig. 14 Spring-mass and pulley system

22. Determine the equation of motion and find the natural frequency the system shown in
Figure 15
23. Determine the equation of motion and find the natural frequency the system shown in
Figure 16

16 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Fig. 15 Spring-mass and pulley system Fig. 16 Spring-mass and pulley system

24. Determine the ‫ܫ‬௘௤. , ݇௧ି௘௤. ܽ݊݀ ܿ௧ି௘௤. of the system shown Figure 17. Also the differential
equation of motion and the expression for the natural frequency

m
c

L/4 3L/4

Fig. 17 Spring-damper and a bar system

25. For a simple spring-damper-mass system, the characteristic of the dash post is such that
when a constant force of 60 N is applied, its velocity is found to be at 0.12 m/s. The
stiffness of the spring is 1,500 N/m and mass is 15 kg. Determine damping coefficient and
check whether the system is periodic or aperiodic?

26. The measurement on a mechanical vibrating system has a mass of 10 kg and spring
equivalent stiffness 5 N/mm. If the vibrating system has a dashpot attached which exerts a
force of 40 N when the mass have a unit velocity of 1 m/s. Determine the logarithmic
decrement and ratio of two successive amplitudes

17 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

27. Vibrating system consisting of a mass of 50 kg, a spring of stiffens 30 kN/m and a damper.
Damping is 20% of the critical value. Determine the logarithmic decrement and ratio of
two successive amplitudes
28. The mass of a single degree damped vibrating system is 7.5 kg makes 24 free oscillations
in 14 seconds, when disturbed from its equilibrium position. The amplitude of vibration
reduces 0.25 of its initial value after 5 oscillations. Determine, stiffness of spring,
logarithmic decrement and damping factor
29. A torsional pendulum when it was put to vibration in vacuum without damping having its
natural frequency as 100 Hz. But when it was immersed in oil its natural frequency was 50
Hz. Determine the damping factor of the oil
30. A body of mass 10 kg is suspended from a helical spring having a stiffness of 2 N/mm. A
damper having resistance of 5 N at a velocity of 0.1 m/s and is connected between the
mass and the fixed end of the spring. Determine Ratio of successive amplitude and
amplitude of body after 10 cycles if the initial amplitude is 15 mm
31. A mass of 2 kg is supported on an isolator having a spring scale of 2, 940 N/m and viscous
damping. If the amplitude of free vibration of the mass falls to one half its original value in
1.5 seconds, determine the damping coefficient of the isolator
32. A mass of 7.5 kg hangs from a spring and makes damped oscillations. The time for 60
oscillations is 35 seconds and the ratio of first to seventh displacement is found to be 2.5.
Determine stiffness of spring and damping resistance
33. A spring mass damper system has m = 3 kg, k = 100 N/m and c = 3 N-s/m. Determine the
damping factor, natural frequency of damped system, logarithmic decrement, the ratio of
two successive amplitude and number of cycles after which the original amplitude is
below 20%
34. A 1,000 kg vehicle is mounted on springs such that its static deflection is 2 mm. What is
the damping coefficient of a viscous damper to be added to the system in parallel with the
spring, such that the system is critically damped?
35. A spring mass damper system is having a mass of 10 kg and a spring of such stiffness
which causes a static deflection of 5 mm. the amplitude of vibration reduces to ¼ the
initial value in 10 oscillations. Determine the logarithmic decrement, actual damping
present in the system and damped natural frequency.

18 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME
UE16ME401: Mechanical Vibrations Unit I: Question Bank

Shock absorber for a motorcycle

36. An under-damped shock absorber is to be designed for a motorcycle of mass 200 kg
(Fig. 18 (a)). When the shock absorber is subjected to an initial vertical velocity due to a
road bump, the resulting displacement-time curve is to be as indicated in Figure 18(b).
Find the necessary stiffness and damping constants of the shock absorber if the damped
period of vibration is to be 2 s and the amplitude x1 is to be reduced to one-fourth in one
half cycle (i.e., x1.5 = x1/4). Also find the minimum initial velocity that leads to a
maximum displacement of 250 mm

Fig. 18 Shock absorber of a motorcycle

37. The schematic diagram of large cannon is shown in Figure 19. When the gun is fired, high
pressure gases accelerate the projectile inside the barrel to a very high velocity. The
reaction force pushes the gun barrel in the opposite direction of the projectile. Since it is
desirable to bring the gun barrel to rest in the shortest time without oscillation, it is made
to translate backward against a critically damped spring-damper system called the recoil
mechanism.
In a particular case, the gun barrel and the recoil mechanism have a mass of 500 kg with a
recoil spring of stiffness 10, 000 N/m. The gun recoils 0.4 m upon firing. Find (1) the
critical damping coefficient of the damper, (2) the initial recoil velocity of the gun, and (3)
the time taken by the gun to return to position 0.1m from its initial position

Fig. 19 Recoil of cannon

19 Dr. Chandrashekara C V,
Professor, PES University, Dept. of ME