Mechanical Engineering Department

MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)

Tutorial 1

(Harmonic Motion)

Q. 1 Explain the difference between periodic motion and simple harmonic motion.
Q. 2 Define the following terms:
(i) Free vibrations
(ii) Forced vibrations
(iii) Natural frequency
(iv) Resonance
Q. 3 What is the vector method of representing harmonic motions. Explain algebraically and
geometrically the relationship between displacement, velocity and acceleration of a particle
executing simple harmonic oscillations, following the equation:
x = A sin ωt
Q. 4 The motion of a particle is represented by the equation x = 7.5 sin ωt. Calculate the magnitude of
displacement, velocity and acceleration vectors at time t = 1, when ω = 3 rad/s.

Ans.: Displacement: 1.057; Velocity: -22.27 m/s; Acceleration: -9.52 m/s2

 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 2

Q. 1 Derive the expressions for amplitude and phase-angle of the resultant of two simple harmonic
motions of same frequency, represented by:
x1 = A1 sin ωt

x2 = A2 sin (ωt+φ)

Also depict the results graphically.

Q. 2 Add the following two motions analytically and check the result through graphical method:
x1 = 2 sin ωt

x2 = 5 sin (ωt+0.5)

Q. 3 Find the time period and minimum / maximum amplitudes of the resultant of the following two
motions:
x1 = 8 sin 8.7t x2 =
11 sin 9.0t

Q. 4 A Performs, Simultaneously, the motions

X1 = 1.90 sin 9.5 t
X2 = 2.00 sin 10.0 t
The units being cm, radians and seconds. Find the maximum and minimum amplitude of the combined
motion and the time period of the periodic motion
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 3

(Complex Representation and Fourier Analysis)

Q. 1 What is Argand’s Diagram? How is it used to represent harmonic motion?

Q. 2 In complex representation of harmonic motion, show the effect of multiplication by iota on the
direction of a vector?
Q. 3 Represent the following complex numbers in exponential form: (i)
7 + j6 (ii) 8 + j4

(i) 9.22 ej0.71

Q. 4 Represent the following numbers in rectangular form:

(i) 5ej8 (ii) 4ej2

 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 4

Q. 1 Obtain the Fourier Series for the square-wave function given below:
f(t) = -1/2 for -π<x<0

f(t) = 1/2 for 0<x<π

Ans.: f(t) = (2/π)[sin x + (1/3)sin 3x + (1/5) sin 5x + …]

Q. 2 Determine the harmonics for the saw-tooth wave given by f(t) = 10t for 0<t<0.1.
Ans.: a0 = 0.5, an = 0, bn = 1/nπ; f(t) = 0.5+sin(ωt)/π+sin(2ωt)/2π+…

Q.3 A vibration measuring device is used to measure displacement, velocity and acceleration of a
machine running at 120rpm. If the natural frequency of the instrument is 5 Hz and it shows
0.04mm, determine the actual displacement, velocity and acceleration.
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 5
(Undamped and Damped Free Vibrations of 1 DoF Systems)

Q. 1 A helical spring supporting a weight W=15kg has a mean coil diameter D=25mm, a wire
diameter d=2.5mm and contains n=20 coils. The modulus of elasticity of wire in shear, G=82.5kN/m2.
Calculate the period of free vibrations. [Ans.: T=0.677s]
Q. 2 A string of length L under tension T is carrying a mass m at a distance a from one end. The mass is
pulled by x displacement. Assuming tension to remain unchanged for small values of x, determine
the natural frequency of vibration of mass m.
Q. 3 A railway tank wagon of diameter 2m, horizontal cylindrical length 6m and semi-spherical ends is
half full of petrol. It is driven round a curve of 100m radius at 8.33m/s. The curve runs smoothly
into a straight track while the train maintains a constant speed. Find the amplitude and
frequency of subsequenct oscillations due to this change in motion. The petrol can be considered
as a solid semi-cylinder sliding inside the tank. The viscous effects may be neglected.
[Ans.: 2.88 rad/s, 4°]
Q. 4 Explain with the help of graphs, why only critical damping is sought in gun barrels. Compare the
times taken in returning to original position in case of all the three types of dampings
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 6
(Undamped and Damped Free Vibrations of 1 DoF Systems)

Q. 1 A 200kg machine is placed at the end of 1.8m long steel cantilever beam (E=210Gpa). The machine
is observed to vibrate with a natural frequency of 21Hz. Determine the M.I. of the beam’s cross-
section about its N.A.
Q. 2 In a hanging spring-dashpot arrangement involving k=50KN/m, ζ=0.2 and m=500kg, find the time
in which the weight would settle to one-hundredth of initial deflection once it is deflected and
released.
Q. 3 A torsional pendulum has a natural frequency of 200 cycles/minute when vibrating in vacuum (no

damping). The mass moment of inertia of the disc is 2.5 kg cm s2. Upon immersion in oil, it is
observed that its natural frequency drops to 180 cycles/min. Determine the damping torque per
radian/s.
Q. 4 If the disc in previous problem is displaced by 3 degrees while in oil, find its displacement at the end
of first complete cycle.
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 7
(Undamped and Damped Free Vibrations of 1 DoF Systems)

Q. 1 In a hanging spring-dashpot arrangement involving k=20KN/m and m=500kg, find the undamped
natural frequency and value of critical dmaping, cc.
[Ans.: 6324 N/m/s]
Q. 2 In the previous problem, if c = cc/2, determine the value of damped natural frequency. Also determine
the logarithmic decrement.
Hint: Logarithmic decrement, δ = ζωdT [Ans.: ωd =
19.36 rad/s; δ = 3.63]
Q. 3 A gun barrel with mass 600kg has a recoil spring of 350 kN/m. If the barrel recoils one meter on
firing,
find:
(i) The initial recoil velocity of the gun.
(ii) The critical damping coefficient of a dashpot which is engaged at the end of the recoil
stroke.
(iii) The time required for the barrel to return to a position 5cm from its initial position.
[Ans.: v = 24.152 m/s, cc = 28983 Ns/m; t = 0.414s.]
Q. 4 A 500kg vehicle is mounted on springs such that its static deflection is 1.5mm. What is the
damping
coefficient of a viscous damper to be added to the system in parallel with the springs, such that the
system is critically damped?
[Ans.: 80900 Ns/m]
Q. 5 Determine the minimum damping ratio for a system such that it is subject to no more than 5%
overshoot.
Hint: Overshoot for an undamped system is the maximum displacement of the system at the end of
first half cycle. [Ans.: ζ = 0.690]
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 8
(Forced Vibrations of 1 DoF Systems)

VIBRATIONS DUE TO FORCE IMPOSITION

Q. 1 A 45 kg machine is placed at the end of a 1.6m cantilever beam of elastic modulus of

200X109 N/m2 and cross-sectional moment of inertia 1.6X10-5 m4. As it operates,

the machine produces a harmonic force of magnitude 125N. At what operating
speed will the machine’s steady state amplitude be less than 0.2mm?

Q. 2 A 35kg electric motor operating at 60Hz is mounted on an elastic foundation of

stiffness 3X106 N/m.

The phase difference between the excitation and the steady state response is 21°.
What is the damping ratio of the system?

Q. 3 Elaborate the statement that for non-zero damping, the peak amplitude occurs
before resonant frequency. What is the relationship between ωn and ωp?

Q. 4 The damped natural frequency of a system is 9.8Hz, while the maximum

amplitude occurs at an exciting frequency of 9.6 Hz., find the damping factor and
the undamped natural frequency.
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 9
(Forced Vibrations of 1 DoF Systems)

VIBRATIONS DUE TO EXCITATION OF SUPPORT

Q. 1 A 35 kg block is connected to a support through a spring of stiffness 1.4X106 N/m in parallel with
a dashpot of damping coefficient 1.8X103 Ns/m. The support is given a harmonic displacement
of amplitude 10mm at a frequency of 35Hz. Determine the steady state absolute amplitude of the
block.

[Hint/Ans.: ωn = 200 rad/s; ζ = 0.129; ω/ωn = 1.1; X = 29.4mm]

Q. 2 Determine the relative amplitude in previous problem. [Ans.: 34.3mm]

Q. 3 The body of a 500kg vehicle is connected to the wheels through a suspension system comprising of
k
= 4X105 N/m and c = 3000 Ns/m. The contour of the road follows a sine wave of amplitude
0.1m about mean, with a peak-to-peak distance of 2.5m. If the vehicle travels at a constant speed of
52 m/s,
determine the acceleration amplitude of the vehicle.

[Hint/Ans.: ωn = 28.3 rad/s; ζ = 0.106; ω = 130.7 rad/s; X = 6.87X10-4 m; A = ω2X = 11.7 m/s2]
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 9

FORCE/MOTION TRANSMISSIBILITY AND VIBRATION ISOLATION:

Q. 4 A 20kg laboratory experiment is to be mounted on a table that is bolted to the floor.

Measurements indicate that due to the operation of a nearby pump that operates at 2000 rpm, the
table has a steady state displacement of 0.25mm. What is the maximum stiffness of an
undamped isolator, placed between the experiment and the table, such that the experiment’s
acceleration amplitude is less than 4m/s2?

[Hints/Ans.: ζ = 0; ω = 209.4 rad/s; Table’s acceleration, ω2Y = 10.97 m/s2;

Required transmissibility, T=Amax/ω2Y = 0.365; As T=1/(r2-1), therefore, (ω/ωn) = r = 1.93;
ωn of isolator =
108.5 rad/s; Thus, k =
n = N/m]
mω 2 2.35X10
5

Q. 5 A 100 kg turbine operates at 2000 rpm. What percent isolation will be achieved
if the turbine is mounted on four identical springs in parallel, each of stiffness
3X105 N/m?

[Hints/Ans.: ζ = 0; k = 1.2X106 N/m; ωn = 109.5 rad/s; ω = 2000 rpm = 209.5

rad/s; r = ω/ωn = 1.912; Transmissibility ratio, T = 1/(r2-1) = 0.376; % isolation =
100 (1-T) = 62.4%.]

Q.6 A radio set of 20kg is to be isolated from a machine vibrating with an amplitude of
0.05mm at 500 cycle per minute. The set is mounted on 4 isolators, each having k
= 31400 N/m and c = 392 N-s/m. Determine the amplitude of vibrations of the
radio and the dynamic load on each isolator due to vibration.

[Hint: Dynamic load on isolators = The transmitted force; Ans.: 0.069mm, 0.95N]
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 10
VIBRATION ISOLATORS

Q. 1 Mention the processes where vibration plays a vital role in the execution of some task.
[Ans.: Mould-making for sand casting. Ultrasonic machining/welding. Ultrasonic
cleaning]

Q. 2 Explain giving examples the situations where vibration absorbers are associated with: (i) The source
of vibration and (ii) The equipment that is isolated from vibrations coming from some other source.

Q. 3 How do vibration absorbers work? What happens to the vibrational energy in these absorbers?

Q. 4 Enlist the various types of vibration isolators, citing whether they employ damping or not.

Q. 5 Suspension is to be designed for the front and rear wheels of a car weighing 1000kg and having a
payload capacity of 500kg. The front wheels support 60% of tare and 40% of payload. The
springs available provide maximum deflection of 20cm, 60% of which should be available for
dynamic loading. The data on average road conditions gives ω/ωn = 5 for the vehicle’s average
operating velocity. Suggest the suspension parameters on the basis of following criterion: (i)
Motion transmissibility (ii) Time for the suspension to restore back to 20% of initial displacement.
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 11
(Vibration Isolation and Measurement)

VIBRATION ISOLATORS

Q. 1 Mention the processes where vibration plays a vital role in the execution of some task.
[Ans.: Mould-making for sand casting. Ultrasonic machining/welding. Ultrasonic
cleaning]

Q. 2 Explain giving examples the situations where vibration absorbers are associated with: (i) The source
of vibration and (ii) The equipment that is isolated from vibrations coming from some other source.

Q. 3 How do vibration absorbers work? What happens to the vibrational energy in these absorbers?

Q. 4 Enlist the various types of vibration isolators, citing whether they employ damping or not.

Q. 5 Suspension is to be designed for the front and rear wheels of a car weighing 1000kg and having a
payload capacity of 500kg. The front wheels support 60% of tare and 40% of payload. The
springs available provide maximum deflection of 20cm, 60% of which should be available for
dynamic loading. The data on average road conditions gives ω/ωn = 5 for the vehicle’s average
operating velocity. Suggest the suspension parameters on the basis of following criterion: (i)
Motion transmissibility (ii) Time for the suspension to restore back to 20% of initial displacement.
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 12
(Vibration Isolation and Measurement)

.
Q. 1 Enlist the various important parameters encompassed under measurement of vibrations.
Name the various instruments that are employed for measuring each of these parameters.
Q. 2 What type of transducer can be employed for vibration displacement measurement? With
the help of a schematic sketch, explain why the displacement measuring instruments are
considered to be measuring relative amplitude and not absolute amplitude?
Q. 3 With the help of graphs, explain why the value of damping ratio ζ = 0.07 as design
criteria for displacement/velocity measuring instruments, is not suitable for measurement
of vibrations involving harmonics of different frequencies. Explain which values of ζ and
(ω/ωn) should be selected.
Q. 4 With reference to the graphs of frequency ratio (ω/ωn) vs relative amplitude ratio (Z/Y),
obtain the criteria (ζ and ωn) for the design of acceleration measuring instruments. Explain
why the selected value of ζ = 0.7 does not distort the measured wave even though it
introduces different phase shifts.
Q. 5 With the help of a diagram, explain the working of Fraham’s Reed Tachometer. Explain
the terms of range and accuracy in relation to the design of reed.
Q. 6 Determine the mass M to be placed at the end of the reeds of a Fraham’s tachometer so as to
get a frequency of 30 Hz (188 rad/s); given: L=50mm, w=6mm, t=0.75mm;
E=19.6x1010N/m2.

Hints/Ans: I = 21.2x10-14 m4; ∆st = MgL3/3EI; Or k = Mg/∆st = 3EI/L3=997 N/m; ωn=188

rad/s; m = 0.028 kg
Q. 7 For a vibrometer having natural frequency of 5Hz and damping factor ζ = 0.4, determine
the range of vibrations where measurements can be made with an accuracy of 1% error or
better.
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 13
(Multi Degrees of Freedom Systems)

Q. 1 Write down the matrix form of equations of motion for a multi degree of freedom system. What are the
advantages of using matrix form of equations?
Q. 2 What are the various influence coefficients? What is the relationship between stiffness matrix and
flexibility matrix?
Q. 3 What are direct and cross influence coefficients?
Q. 4 State and prove Maxwell’s reciprocal theorem.
Q. 5 Determine the influence coefficients for the system shown in figure.
Here, M1=M2=m.
Solution: Apply unit load at M1. Deflection=1/K
Thus, a11 = 1/K
Now, consider unit load at M2. Equivalent spring constant is K/2.
Thus, a22 =2/K.
Again considering unit load at M2, the same load is transmitted to M1, causing a
deflection of 1/K. Thus, a12 = 1/K
By Maxwell’s reciprocal theorem, a21 = 1/K.
Q. 6 Write down the differential equations of motion for the
system shown in figure. Also put these equations in matrix form.
Ans:
M1 0 0  K1 K  K 0  0
X&
&
&1 2 2 X1
      
0 M2 0 X&&&  K 2 K 2 K 3  K 3 X 2  0 
2  
      

฀ 0 M 3 X&
&3 ฀ 0
&  K 3 K 3  ฀0
3  ฀ 
0 X
฀ 
Q. 7 Determine the influence coefficients for the system
shown in figure.
Hint/Ans: Considering unit deflections at each of the masses,
calculate the influence coefficients as described in Q. 5
a33 = 1/K
a23 = a13 = 1/K
a22 = 2/K
a12 = a22 = 2/K
a11 =5/2K
 Mechanical Engineering Department
MECHANICAL VIBRATION (MET-351)
Tutorial 14
(Multi Degrees of Freedom Systems – Numerical Techniques)

Q. 1 Describe Rayleigh’s method for finding fundamental natural frequency.

Q. 2 A uniform shaft of diameter 4mm and length 625mm between the two supporting bearings is fitted with
two discs, one weighing 30kg, mounted at 188mm from the left end and the other weighing 50kg and
mounted at 440mm from the left end. The static deflections due to the weight of these two discs are
0.43mm and 0.70mm respectively. Find the lower natural frequency of the system by Rayleigh’s
method.
Solution: Assuming the shaft assembly to be a simply supported beam and neglecting the mass of the
−3 shaft,
[30(0.43) + 50(0.70)]10 = 15640 ⇒ ω = 125 rad / s
ω2 = 9.81
[30(0.43) 2 + 50(0.70) 2 ;
]10 −6
Q. 3 Describe Dunkerley’s method for determining natural frequency. Where does this method find
application?
Ans.: Dunkerley’s equation relates the fundamental frequency of a composite system to the
frequencies of its component parts:
1 1 1 1 1
= + + 2 +.... + 2;
2 ω2 ω2 ω ω ω
n 1 2 3 s
Where ω1, ω2, ω3… etc. are the natural frequencies of the system with each mass acting independently
at its place, in the absence of the other masses, while ωs is the natural frequency of the shaft.
It is based on the physical fact that the modal frequencies of most systems for higher modes are
high w.r.t. their
fundamental frequency. This method is primarily used for determining the frequencies of transverse
vibrations in structures, such as those arising in multi-rotor systems. It gives good results if
damping is negligible and the frequencies of harmonics are much higher than that of the fundamentsl
mode. The estimated fundamental frequency is always lower than the exact value since the harmonics
are neglected in the equation.
Q. 4 Calculate the natural frequency of the combination of two 1DoF systems having their individual
natural frequencies as 10 Hz and 20 Hz. [Ans.: 8.95 Hz.]
Q. 5 A shaft, fixed at left end has three discs of moment of inertia J each attached to it at distances (from
left) 1/3 of shaft length, 2/3 of shaft length and extreme right end. Assume the torsional rigidity of each
section of the shaft between
these discs to be k. Determine the fundamental natural frequency of this system using
Dunkerley’s method.
Solution: The flexibility influence coefficients are given by: a11 = 1/k, a22 = 2/k, a33 =
3/k. Thus,
6J k
1 J 2J 3J = ⇒ ω 2 = 0.408
= +2 + 1
ω k k k k J
1