ABSTRACT

The experiment is done to determine natural frequency and resonance of Spring-Dashpot

System in different damping condition. To run this experiment, we used Control Unit (TM 150) to
control the Universal Vibration System Apparatus (TM 155). First of all, we adjusted control unit
to desired frequency, 6 Hz to 14 Hz. Then, set the damper to off condition. After that, we set the
unbalance exciter on and set the frequency from 6Hz to 10Hz. And lastly, we recorded the
oscillation produced on drum recorder for each frequency. We collected the data from different
condition of damping which is, open with length 150mm, closed with length if damp is 150mm,
and lastly, closed with 450mm.

1.0

INTRODUCTION
Vibration refers to mechanical oscillations about an equilibrium point. The oscillations

may be periodic such as the motion of a pendulum or random such as the movement of a tire on
a gravel road. Vibration is occasionally "desirable". For example the motion of a tuning fork, the
reed in a woodwind instrument or harmonica, or the cone of a loudspeaker is desirable
vibration, necessary for the correct functioning of the various devices. More often, vibration is
undesirable, wasting energy and creating unwanted sound noise. For example, the vibration
motions of engines, electric motors, or any mechanical device in operation are typically
unwanted. Such vibrations can be caused by imbalances in the rotating parts, uneven friction,
the meshing of gear teeth, etc. Careful designs usually minimize unwanted vibrations.[1]
The study of sound and vibration are closely related to sound, or "pressure waves", are
generated by vibrating structures (e.g. vocal cords); these pressure waves can also induce the
vibration of structures (e.g. ear drum). Hence, when trying to reduce noise it is often a problem
in trying to reduce vibration.[1]
They are two types of vibration that is free vibration occur when a mechanical system is
set off with an initial input and then allowed to vibrate freely. Examples of this type of vibration
are pulling a child back on a swing and then letting go or hitting a tuning fork and letting it ring.
The mechanical system will then vibrate at one or more of its "natural frequency" and damp
down to zero.[1]
Forced vibration is when an alternating force or motion is applied to a mechanical
system. Examples of this type of vibration include a shaking washing machine due to an
imbalance, transportation vibration (caused by truck engine, springs, road, etc.), or the vibration

of a building during an earthquake. In forced vibration the frequency of the vibration is the
frequency of the force or motion applied, with order of magnitude being dependent on the actual
mechanical system.[1]
Forced vibration also known as oscillation is vibration that takes place under the
excitation of external forces. The system will vibrate at the excitation frequency when the
excitation is oscillatory. Resonance will occur if the frequency of excitation coincides with one of
the natural frequencies of the system and dangerously large oscillations may result. The failure
of major structures such as bridges, buildings, or airplane wings is an awesome possibility
under resonance.

Free vibration

Force vibration

Objective of experiment

Determine the resonance of Spring-Dashpot System in different damping condition.

2.0

THEORY

Forced Vibration
Harmonic excitation is often encountered in engineering systems. It is commonly
produced by the unbalance in rotating machinery. Although pure harmonic excitation is less
likely to occur than periodic or other types of excitation, understanding the behavior of a system
undergoing harmonic excitation is essential in order to comprehend how the system will respond
to more general types of excitation. Harmonic excitation may be in the form of a force or
displacement of some point in the system.[2]
We will first consider a single DOF system with viscous damping, excited by a harmonic force
, as shown in Fig. 7. Its differential equation of motion is found from the free-body
diagram.[2]

(29)

Figure 2: Viscously Damped System with Harmonic Excitation

The solution to this equation consists of two parts, the complementary function, which is
the solution of the homogeneous equation, and the particular integral. The complementary
function in this case, is a damped free vibration. The particular solution to the preceding

equation is a steady-state oscillation of the same frequency w as that of the excitation. We can
assume the particular solution to be of the form:[2]

(30)
Where X is the amplitude of oscillation and f is the phase of the displacement with respect to the
exciting force. The amplitude and phase in the previous equation are found by substituting Eqn.
(30) into the differential equation (29). Remembering that in harmonic motion the phases of the
velocity and acceleration are ahead of the displacement by 90 and 180, respectively, the
terms of the differential equation can also be displayed graphically.[2]

Figure 3: Vector Relationship for Forced Vibration with Damping

It is easily seen from this diagram that

(31)
and

(32)
We now express Eqs (31) and (32) in non-dimensional term that enables a concise
graphical presentation of these results. Dividing the numerator and denominator of Eqs. (31)
and (32) by k, we obtain :

(33)
and

(34)
These equations can be further expressed in terms of the following quantities:

The non-dimensional expressions for the amplitude and phase then become

(35)

and

(36)

These equations indicate that the non dimensional amplitude

functions only of the frequency ratio

, and the phase f are

, and the damping factor z and can be plotted as

shown in Fig 9.

Figure 4: Plot of Eqs. (35) and (36)

3.0

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

1) All apparatus are in place and is switched on. Make sure the damper is on.
2) The control unit is adjusted to desired frequency.
3) The length from the damper to the references point is measured.
4) For the first condition, make sure that the damper is off.
5) The unbalance exciter is switched on and set the frequency from 2 Hz until 10Hz with
increment of 2 Hz.
6) Then, the drum recorder will take an oscillation from the vibration of the stiff beam cause
by the unbalance exciter.
7) Observe the oscillation characteristics.
8) Measure and record the time taken for 10 oscillations.
9) Compare your observations with the result on the mechanical recorder.
10) The second condition, activate the damp with length 150mm and loosen the damp screw
to reduce the damping effect. Then, repeat step 5 until 9 to get the oscillation data.
11) For the third condition, close or tighten the damp screw with the same length as the
second condition and repeat step 5 until 9.
12) For the fourth condition, the damp is close but the length is 450mm and repeat step 5
until 9.
13) Calculate the natural frequency of the system and its resonant frequency.

APPARATUS

FIGURE : Universal Vibration System Apparatus (TM 155)

FIGURE: Control Unit (TM 150)

FIGURE : Universal Vibration System Apparatus (TM 155)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Unbalance Exciter
Beam
Damper
Control Unit (TM 150)
Mechanical Recorder
Spring

4.0

Result

4.1

Result

Experiment

Position Value

1
2
3
4

Open
Open
Closed
Closed

4.1.1. Experiment 1: For no damper, b= 0 (Open)

Data Recorded:

Mass beam = 1.68 kg.

Mass unbalance = 0.772 kg.

Beam, L = 700 mm @ 0.7 m.

a = 650 mm @ 0.65 m.

k = 3.0N/mm @ 3000M/m.

Damper Distance, b
(mm)
0
150
150
550

SAMPLE CALCULATION:
1) Angular natural frequency,
o=

3 c a2
m L2

2o=

3 ( 3000 )( 0.65 )
2
1.68 ( 0.7 )

o=67.964 rad / s

2) Natural frequency, f
f=

1
2

3 c a2
m L2

f=

1
2

3 ( 3000 )( 0.65 )2
1.68 ( 0.7 )2
f =10.816 Hz

3) Period,
T =2

T =2

m L2
2
3c a

( 1.68 ) ( 0.7 )2
2
3 ( 3000 ) ( 0.65 )

T =0.0924 s
4)

Unbalanced Force,F0
F0 = mass unbalance x a x
= 0.772 x 0.65 x 67.962
= 2.318 KN

5)

A =f experimental 2

For f =2 Hz
A =6.5 2
A =40.841rad / s

Frequency, f

Amplitudes, x,
(mm)

0 / A

x
F o /k

6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0

0.025
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.26
1.05
0.21
0.11

37.699
40.841
43.982
47.124
50.265
53.407
56.549
59.690
62.832

1.80
1.66
1.55
1.43
1.35
1.27
1.20
113
1.08

0.0323
0.0388
0.0517
0.0647
0.0776
0.3364
1.3583
0.2716
0.1423

Table 4.1.1.1: Data for Experiment 1

wo/wa

1.
08

1.
2

1.
35

1.
55

1.
8

1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
x/(Fo/k) 0.6
0.4
0.2
0

1.2
1
0.8
Frequency, f 0.6
0.4
0.2
0

6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10

Amplitudes, x,

Graph 4.1.1.1: Data for Experiment 1

4.1.2 Experiment 2: For damper, b= 150mm (Open)

Data Recorded:

Mass beam = 1.68 kg.

Mass unbalance = 0.772 kg.

Beam, L = 700 mm @ 0.7 m.

a = 650 mm @ 0.65 m.

Damper constant, d = 5 Ns/m.

k = 3.0N/mm @ 3000M/m.

1) Moment of Inertia, I0
m L2
I o=
3

(1.68 )( 0.7 )2
I o=
3

I o=0.2744 kg .m

2) Degree of damping, D
D=
D=

d b2
2 I o o

( 5 ) (0.15)2
2 ( 0.2744 ) ( 67.964 )
3

D=3.016 10

3) Damped Oscillation,
D =o 1D2

D =( 67.964 ) 1( 3.016 103 )

D =67.964 rad / s

Frequency, f

Amplitudes, x,
(mm)

D / A

x
F o /k

7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0

0.04
0.05
0.06
0.16
0.45
0.15
0.10
0.08
0.06

43.982
47.124
50.265
53.407
56.549
59.690
62.832
65.973
69.115

1.55
1.44
1.35
1.27
1.20
1.14
1.08
1.03
0.98

0.052
0.065
0.078
0.207
0.582
0.194
0.129
0.103
0.078

Table 4.1.2: Data for experiment 2

0.
98

1.
03

1.
08

1.
1.
27
13
99
99
99
1.
2
99
99
99
75

1.
35

1.
44

x/(Fo/k)

1.
55

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

wD/wA

0.5
0.4
0.3
Frequency, f

0.2
0.1
0

7.5

8.5

9.5

Amplitudes, x,

Graph 4.1.2: Data for experiment 2

4.1.3 Experiment 3: For damper, b= 150mm (Closed)

Data Recorded:

Mass beam = 1.68 kg.

Mass unbalance = 0.772 kg.

Beam, L = 700 mm @ 0.7 m.

a = 650 mm @ 0.65 m.

Damper constant, d = 15 Ns/m.

10 10.5 11

k = 3.0N/mm @ 3000M/m.

1) Degree of damping, D
D=

d b2
2 I o o

D=

( 15 ) (0.15)2
2 ( 0.2744 ) ( 67.964 )
D=9.049 103

2) Damped Oscillation,

D =o 1D2

3
D =( 67.964 ) 1( 9.049 10 )

D =67.961rad / s

Frequency, f

Amplitudes, x,
(mm)

D / A

x
F o /k

8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0

0.05
0.06
0.07
0.09
0.10
0.06
0.06
0.05
0.05

50.265
53.407
56.549
59.690
62.832
65.973
69.115
72.257
75.398

1.35
1.27
1.20
1.14
1.08
1.03
0.98
0.94
0.90

0.064
0.078
0.091
0.116
0.129
0.078
0.078
0.064
0.064

Table 4.1.3: Data for experiment 3

0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
x/(Fo/k)

wD/wA

0.12
0.1
0.08
Frequency, f 0.06
0.04
0.02
0

8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12

Amplitudes, x,

Graph 4.1.3: Data for experiment 3

4.1.4 Experiment 4: For damper, b= 550mm (Closed)
Data Recorded:

Mass beam = 1.68 kg.

Mass unbalance = 0.772 kg.

Beam, L = 700 mm @ 0.7 m.

a = 650 mm @ 0.65 m.

Damper constant, d = 15 Ns/m.

k = 3.0N/mm @ 3000M/m.

1) Degree of damping, D
d b2
D=
2 I o o
D=

( 15 ) (0.55)2
2 ( 0.2744 ) ( 67.964 )
D=0.1217

2) Damped Oscillation,

D =o 1D2
D =( 67.964 ) 1( 0.1217 )

D =67.961rad / s
D =67.459 rad / s

Frequency, f

Amplitudes, x,
(mm)

D / A

x
F o /k

8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
10.5
11.0
11.5
12.0

0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.02
0.01

50.265
53.407
56.549
59.690
62.832
65.973
69.115
72.257
75.398

1.34
1.26
1.19
1.14
1.08
1.02
0.98
0.93
0.90

0.013
0.013
0.013
0.013
0.026
0.026
0.039
0.026
0.013

Table 4.1.4: Data for experiment 4

0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
x/(Fo/k)

wD/wA

0.04
0.03
0.03
0.02
Frequency, f 0.02
0.01
0.01
0

8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12

Amplitudes, x,

Graph 4.1.4: Data for experiment 4

DISCUSSION BY MUHAMMAD SAIFUL ISLAM BIN MOHD IZRAAI

2009766283
This experiment is objectively to determine the natural frequency and
resonance of Spring-Dashpot System in different damping condition. It is
found that the higher amplitude of the sinusoidal graph for the no damper
condition is 1.05mm at 9 Hz frequency. Then, when we applied open damper
with distance 150mm from the vibrator, 0.45mm at 9.0 Hz is the higher
amplitude for the experiment. Then, closed the damper at get the higher
amplitude of the condition is decreasing to 0.1 at 10 Hz frequency. Lastly, for
the closed damper with further distance, 550mm is produce the higher
amplitude of the experiment only 0.03mm at 11 Hz.
After data was taken, we calculate the damping ratio and non
dimensional amplitude from those different conditions of damper. Hence
after get the value we compare the condition in the graph. Thus, we assume
that we can decrease the vibration of the object by adding damper. Then, the
theory is right that when the frequency is equal with the natural frequency,
the resonance will happen.
Thus to prevent this happen, we use damper to absorb the vibration.
This application has been used wisely. For the example in civil engineering,
to build bridge, they need to know natural frequency of the bridge, then,
they need to use damper to absorb the resonant portions of the whole wave
frequencies band with the help of so called mass dampers
In my opinion, there are several factors that influenced these errors.
Firstly, the condition of damper, the damper cant work properly. This is
maybe because of lack of oil in the damper. It caused error in data. Then the
position of damper is not straight enough from the base. So, the beam is not
vibrate in 2 dimension, it cause the error to. Lastly, parallax error, the person
doesnt read accurately.
So, to prevent the error, we need to ensure the damper in good
condition, and right position when we install it. Then, put your eyes in right
position to get right data.
CONCLUSION BY MUHAMMAD SAIFUL ISLAM BIN MOHD IZRAAI
2009766283
The conclusion that we made is the experiment is success because we
determine the condition when resonance is happened. Moreover we also get
the way to solve the vibration problem cause by the resonance from the
beam.
The amplitude will be increasingly until the applied frequency achieves the
same value of the natural frequency of the object. After that, the amplitude
is decreasing back when the applied frequency is continually increased. Then

we also know that when closed damper applied to the vibration, it will
decrease the value of amplitude of the natural frequency. Moreover, the
amplitude will be smaller when we put the damper further.
Thus, the theory is right, when beam achieved natural frequency, resonance
will happened. So, to absorb the vibration caused by the resonance we used
damper to stabilize the object.

DISCUSSION BY SHAH BIN MOHD NASIR D MACKENZIE

2009594941
To determine the frequency and resonance of Spring-Dashpot System in different
damping condition is the objective of this experiment. From conducting the experiment, it was
clear that the highest amplitude is 1.05mm at frequency of 9 Hz. This was the result for when
damper was not used. In the case of open damper at the distance of 150 mm, the highest
amplitude observed was 0.45 at the frequency of 9 Hz. The highest amplitude for closed damper
at 150 mm and closed damper at 550 mm are 0.1 at 10 Hz and 0.03 at 11 Hz respectively.
This data is very important in order for us to calculate the damping ratio. We can then
compare the calculated value and the condition of the graph. The assumption that we made
before conducting the experiment was by adding a damper; we can reduce the vibration of the
object. After conducting the experiment, it was found that our assumption was proven to be true.
While conducting the experiment, there are few errors that took place that might have
disrupted our data. Firstly, the damper. To conduct a good experiment, the apparatus must be in
good condition. In this case, the damper must be well oiled and well managed to reduce the error
while the experiment is conducted. Secondly, parallax error can also take place. This happens
when we need to set the frequency by turning the knob at the control unit. We must ensure that
the number that appears on the screen is at the right frequency before data is taken.
CONCLUSION BY SHAH BIN MOHD NASIR D MACKENZIE
2009594941
The experiment was a success because we could determine the condition and when
resonance takes place. In order for resonance to happen, the applied frequency and the natural
frequency of the object must be the same. And when this happen catastrophic disasters can take
place for example the Tacoma narrow bridge that collapsed in 1940. In order to prevent this
disaster to happen, damper can be used to stabilize the bridge or any object.