Mechanical Vibrations

Lab Report

Performance Date: 22 – 09 – 2020 Submission Date: 29 – 09 – 2020

Experiment # 3
Transverse vibrations of beam with one/more bodies attached

Submitted by
Sub-Group
Students : Muhammad Bilal, M Athar Hasan, M Dawood Bashir

Group : G3

Session : BSME 17-21

Submitted to

Sir Mazhar Iqbal

 Table of Contents

1. Abstract...............................................................................................................................1
2. Introduction........................................................................................................................1
3. Theory.................................................................................................................................1
4. Procedure............................................................................................................................3
5. Observations and Calculations...........................................................................................3
5.1. Theoretical Insights.....................................................................................................3
5.2. Experimental Insights..................................................................................................4
5.3. Final Observation.........................................................................................................7
6. Discussion...........................................................................................................................8
7. References..........................................................................................................................8
 List of Figures

Figure 5.1-1 Experimental setup layout.....................................................................................2

Figure 5.2-1 Graph with no additional mass..............................................................................4
Figure 5.2-2 Graph with 100g additional mass..........................................................................5
Figure 5.2-3 Graph with 200g additional mass..........................................................................6
 List of Tables

Table 5.1-1 Experimental setup parameters.............................................................................3

Table 5.1-2 Values calculated....................................................................................................3
Table 5.2-1 Data with no additional mass.................................................................................4
Table 5.2-2 Data with 100g additional mass..............................................................................5
Table 5.2-3 Data with 200g additional mass..............................................................................6
Table 5.3-1 Resonance frequency for each added mass...........................................................7
Table 5.3-2 Percentage error in readings..................................................................................7
1. Abstract
The main objective of this experiment was to determine the natural frequency of the simply
supported beam and to compare it with the theoretical value. By using universal vibration
apparatus the resonance frequency was found by changing the voltage and the resonance
value was found. The resonance frequency was measured at different loads by adding 100g
weight successively. Then graph was plotted between total additional mass and 1/w n2. Then,
graph was extrapolated toward y axis to find the experimental value of resonance frequency
and it was compared to the analytical value and error was found. The error was found to be
33% and it was due to the different conditions including poor setup, the reading were
fluctuating and also there were vibrations in the environment of experimental setup.

2. Introduction
Forced vibration occurs, when an external force continuously acts on a body. During forced
vibration, at a certain value of frequency, the frequency of the source combines with the
natural frequency of the body and this causes the system to vibrate with the maximum
amplitude. This phenomenon is termed as “Resonance”, and can be very dangerous in
mechanical systems. Thus, systems are designed to operate at a frequency, different from
the natural frequency of the vibrating body to avoid resonance.

3. Theory
In this experiment the external force was provided by the motor which rotated a circular
disk with eccentric mass at different RPMs, to induce vibrations in the system. We were
provided with all systems parameters which included the beam’s length, width, thickness,
Young’s Modulus and mass (motor, beam and accelerometer). Auxiliary masses (disks) may
be added to the system. A general layout of the system is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5.1-1 Experimental setup layout

For the system shown in Figure 1, the equation of motion is given by:
( M + M Eff ) Ÿ + KY =0

From which the natural frequency of the whole system ns is found as:

K
ω ns =
√ M + M Eff

Square and take inverse of this equation to get:

1 M M Eff
= +
ωns2 K K

1 1 1
= +
ωns ωnm ω nb2
2 2

This equation is known as the “Dunkerley’s Equation”, where:

ns is the natural frequency of the whole system.

nm is the natural frequency of the motor and added weights.

nb is the natural frequency of the beam.

4. Procedure
1. Start with the system shown without any additional masses, and activate the motor to
initiate vibrations on the beam.
2. Note the reading of analyser for every one-volt increase.
3. Plot the results until voltage is 3.0 volts.
4. Identify N Rat which resonance is taking place (shown as peak point).
5. Add a mass of 100 g to the beam and repeat.
6. Identify N R, speed at which resonance occurs.
7. Repeat another four times to get total six pairs of M and N R.
1
8. Draw a graph of obtained n using 2 for each mass added plus the motor mass.
n

9. Extrapolate the graph backwards to cut the Y-axis. This is the real value of n.
10. Compare this value with the analytical n value to find the error.
5. Observations and Calculations
Following are the given values and measurements of the instrument that we are recording
here for getting aid in calculating the natural frequency of the beam.

5.1. Theoretical Insights

Table 5.1-1 Experimental setup parameters

Parameter Description Value (Units)

Length L 0.86 m
Width w 0.05 m
Thickness t 0.005 m
Mass of the Beam Mb 0.503 Kg
Mass of motor + Mm 0.606 Kg
accelerometer Assembly
Young’s Modulus of Beam E 80 GPa
Formulas:

K
ω=
√ M Eff
(1)

48 EI
K= (2)
L3
17
M Eff = M =0.485714 M b (3)
35 b
1
I= b h3 (4)
12
Table 5.1-2 Values calculated

I K M Eff ω n−theoretical
5.2*10-9 2699 .24 (kg) 106
These are the theoretical values of the natural frequency that we have obtained by
performing the aforementioned calculations.

5.2.Experimental Insights
There are three tables mentioned, each with incremental additional masses incorporated
with the system by a factor of 100g ranging from 0 to 200 g respectively.

Table 5.2-3 Data with no additional mass

Voltage Frequency (rad/sec) Amplitude

0.5 0 2
0.7 0 2
0.9 21.78 1.7
1.1 21.78 1.7
1.3 28.21 1.9
1.5 36.65 2.45
1.7 43.45 2.3
1.9 51.3 2.3
2.1 59.69 2.3
2.3 67.02 50
2.5 76.44 160
2.7 79.27 300
2.76 79.44 613
2.97 83.77 1209
3.02 92.15 400
3.3 104.7 400

Amplitude vs Frequency for no additional mass

1400
1209
1200
1000
Amplitude (µm)

800 613
600
400 400
400 300
160
200
2 1.7 1.9 2.45 2.3 2.3 2.3 50
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Frequency (ω)

Figure 5.2-2 Graph with no additional mass

 Table 5.2-4 Data with 100g additional mass

Voltage Frequency (rad/sec) Amplitude

0.5 0 1
0.7 7.33 1.5
0.9 12 1.6
1.1 22.41 1.83
1.3 31.41 1.9
1.5 36.65 1.5
1.7 41.8 1.2
1.9 52.35 1.5
2.1 60.73 40
2.3 65.54 85
2.5 67.02 140
2.7 69.4 150
2.9 78.53 460
3.1 92.15 450
3.2 94.24 100

Amplitude vs Frequency for 100 g additional mass

500 460 450
450
400
350
Amplitude (µm)

300
250
200 150
140
150 100
85
100
40
50 1 1.5 1.6 1.83 1.9 1.5 1.2 1.5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Frequency (ω)

Figure 5.2-3 Graph with 100g additional mass

 Table 5.2-5 Data with 200g additional mass

Voltage Frequency (rpm) Frequency (rad/sec) Amplitude

1.9 0 0 10
2.1 330 34.5565 12
2.3 510 53.4055 12
2.38 660 69.113 697
2.4 670 70.16016667 200
2.45 690 72.2545 160
2.5 700 73.30166667 200
2.55 710 74.34883333 200

With an additional mass of 200g

800
697
700
600
Amplitude (µm)

500
400
300
200 200 200
200 160
100
10 12 12
0
0 34.56 53.41 69.11 70.16 72.25 73.3 74.35
Frequency (ω)

Figure 5.2-4 Graph with 200g additional mass

 5.3.Final Observation
Table 5.3-6 Resonance frequency for each added mass
Total Resonance
Additional Mass Resonance
Additional frequency
(g) Frequency (rpm)
Mass (kg) (rad/s)
606 0.606 810.9 85 0.000138408
100 0.706 763.2 80 0.000156250
100 0.806 715.5 75 0.000177778
100 0.906 677.34 71 0.000198373

0.000250000

0.000200000

0.000150000
1/wn2

0.000100000

0.000050000

0.000000000
0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95

Total Additional Mass (kg)

Figure 5.2.3 M add vs 1/(w n)2

Table 5.3-7 Percentage error in readings

ω n−experimental ω n−analytical %error
70.71 106 33.2%
6. Discussion
In this experiment our main focus was to calculate the resonance frequency of simply
supported beam with the help of universal vibration apparatus and to compare this
experimental value with the theoretical value of the resonance frequency.

The resonance value was first calculated with additional mass of .606g by changing the
voltage and setting it at resonance frequency. The load of 100 g was added successively and
the values of resonance frequency were found. Graph was plotted between w and the
amplitude of vibration for each value of additional mass added. It was seen that our
experimental setup failed to give the exact value of resonance frequency when load added
was 300 g. Then graph was plotted between total additional mass and 1/w n2 and the graph
was extrapolated backwards towards the y-axis and experimental value of resonance
frequency was found. Experimental value was compared with the analytical values
calculated and error was found which was 33,2% . The main causes of error were:

1 The vibrations present in the environment of our setup i.e. due to generator, fan etc.
2 The readings were fluctuating and there was error in reading accurate value of
resonance frequency.
3 Mechanical setup was not very efficient.
4 Human error
7. Conclusion
In the experiment the resonance frequency of simply supported beam was calculated
successfully and it was compared with the analytical value and error was found up to
33%.The reasons of error are already discussed in the report.

8. References