AM1100 - ENGINEERING MECHANICS

Tutorial 10 Vibration
1. During the design of the spring support system for the 4000 kg weighing platform shown in
Figure 1, it is decided that the frequency of free vertical vibration in unloaded condition shall
not exceed 3 cycles per second. (a) Determine the maximum acceptable spring constant k
for each of the three identical springs. (b) For this constant, what would be the natural
frequency fn of vertical vibration of the platform loaded by the 40 Mg truck?

Fig. 1 Fig. 2
2. The 2 kg mass in Figure 2 is released from rest at a distance x0 to the right of the
equilibrium position. Determine the displacement x as a function of time.

3. A 90-kg man stands at the end of a diving board shown in Figure 3 and causes a vertical
oscillation which is observed to have a period of 0.6s. What is the static deflection δst at the
end of the board? Neglect the mass of the board.

                                                                                     
Fig. 3 Fig. 4
 
4. A 3-kg cement ball is dropped from 2m on to the initially stationary 28-kg block, which is
supported by 4 springs, each of which has a constant k=800N/m. determine the
displacement x as a function of time during the resulting vibration, where x is measured from
the initial position of the block as shown in Figure 4.
5. Determine the amplitude X of the steady state motion of the 10 kg mass shown in Figure 5,
if (a) c = 500 N.s/m and (b) c = 0.

Fig. 5 Fig. 6

6. When the person stands in the centre of the floor system shown in Figure 6, he causes a
static deflection δst of the floor under his feet. If he walks (or runs quickly) in the same spot,
how many steps per second would cause the floor to vibrate with the greatest vertical
amplitude?

7. The seismic instrument is mounted on a structure shown in Fig. 5, which has a vertical
vibration with a frequency of 5 Hz and double amplitude of 18 mm. The sensing element
has a mass m = 2 kg. and the spring stiffness is k = 1.5 N.s/m. The motion of mass relative
to instrument base is recorded on a revolving drum and shows a double amplitude of 24 mm
during the steady state condition. Calculate the viscus damping constant c.

Fig. 7 Fig. 8

8. A linear harmonic oscillator having a mass of 1.10 kg is set into motion with viscous
damping. If the frequency is 10 Hz and if two successive amplitudes a full cycle apart are
measured to be 4.65 mm and 4.30 mm as shown in Figure 8. Compute the viscous damping
coefficient ‘c’.