THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND CONSTRUCTION

ENGINEERING

STUDENT NAME: STEPHANIE WAMBUI KABATA

REGISTRATION NUMBER: F16/136081/2019

COURSE CODE: FCE 401

COURSE TITLE: THEORY OF STRUCTURES

THEORY OF MACHINES LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT

DATE OF EXPERIMENT: 28/11/2023

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

GROUP 1
EXPERIMENT: FREE VIBRATION OF A SINGLE DEGREE OF
FREEDOM SYSTEM
OBJECTIVE OF THE EXPERIMENT

To determine:
a) Damped natural frequency of vibration
b) Damping ratio of a system subjected to free vibration
c) Compare experimental values of undamped natural frequency with calculated
estimates for different masses of the system.

INTRODUCTION

Free vibrations are those, which occur after an elastic system in equilibrium is displaced
from the position of equilibrium and let free. The system then oscillates about the
equilibrium position with the amplitude of vibration reducing gradually from a
maximum value to zero.
The suppression of vibration called damping is brought about by air resistance,
frictional forces and hysteresis losses resulting from the internal friction of the strained
elements such as the spring.

This experiment illustrates a method of determining parameters used in finding how

much a system is damped during its vibration and how this is related to the frequency of
vibration.

PROCEDURE

1. The spring stiffness was determined by hanging weights and reading the
displacement caused by added weight on the spring.
2. The weight of the bar was noted. (2090g)
3. The system was then vibrated without any additional masses (free vibration) and
the oscillations were recorded on the tracing paper using the pen attached to the
bar.
4. Step 3 above was repeated with additional masses of 400, 800, 1200,1600 and
2000g added to the bar.
5. The drum speed for tracing paper and its circumference were also noted down

Apparatus
1. Spring
2. Paper
3. Tracing stylus
4. Masses
5. Bar connected to the pivot
6. Rotating drum

a= distance to centre of the spring.

b=distance to the centre of the load.
L=distance to the centre of the pen.

The bar of length L is pin jointed at the pivot P. A spring of stiffness K is attached to the
bar at a distance ‘a’ from the pivot and anchored to the frame of the rig. An additional
mass M can be located at a distance ‘b’ from the pivot. When the bar is displaced and let
go, it vibrates and the electric stylus mounted at the end of the bar moves up and down
the teledeltos paper, which winds on a rotating drum. The stylus is heated electrically
and burns a trace of the oscillation on the teledeltos papers.

The trace produced is used to determine the dynamic parameters required.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

The following results were obtained from the experiment.

Length a= 0.55m (550mm)

Length b =0.65m (650mm)
Length L = 0.75m (750mm)
Mass of bar = 2090g
Speed of rotation of the drum = 3 revolutions/minute

Obtaining K for spring

Datum reading = 23.8m

ADDED WEIGHT(g) DISPLACEMENT(cm)

0 23.8
400 24.9
800 25.8
1200 26.5
1600 27.7
2000 28.4
The K for the spring is determined graphically by plotting the stretching force in
Newtons against the extension caused by that force in m.

The analysis is done below.

WEIGHT W(Kg) READING (m) EXTENSION (m) =

FORCE (N) = W x READING -
9.8 0.238m
0.0 0.0 x 9.8 = 0 0.238 0
0.4 0.4 x 9.8 = 3.92 0.249 0.011
0.8 0.8 x 9.8 = 7.84 0.258 0.020
1.2 1.2 x 9.8 = 11 .76 0.265 0.027
1.6 1.6 x 9.8 = 15.68 0.277 0.039
2.0 2.0 x 9.8 = 19.6 0.284 0.2602

A graph of Force in Newtons against Extension in m is plotted.

A GRAPH OF FORCE (N) AGAINST

25 EXTENSION(m)

20
f(x) = 425.443480220895 x − 0.339736278597993
Force (Newtons)

15

10

0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04 0.045 0.05
Extension(m)

From the above graph, the value of the spring constant K is obtained from the slope. By
inspection of the graph equation, the slope of the graph is 425.44N/m which is
therefore the spring constant. K = 425.44 N/m
Estimating the undamped natural frequency using equations of motion (theoretical)

m = 2.09kg + K* = Ks.a2 / L M* = m.L / 3 𝜔=√𝐾/𝑀 f = 𝜔/2𝜋

added mass
2.09 171.6 0.5225 28.53 4.541
2.49 171.6 0.6225 26.14 4.160
2.89 171.6 0.7225 24.27 3.863
3.29 171.6 0.8225 22.74 3.619
3.69 171.6 0.9225 21.48 3.419
4.09 171.6 1.0225 20.40 3.247

Damped natural frequency using data from the traces and rotating drum

(Wavelength= velocity / frequency )

The velocity of the drum is constant, 3 revolutions per minute.

In this case, the velocity = 3/60 revolutions per second = 0.05 rps
The wavelength of each case can be obtained from the traces and tabulated in the table
shown below and the frequency calculated by (velocity/wavelength).
From analysis of the traces, we can obtain the respective period distances and periods of
oscillations for the respective added masses.

Mass Wavelength Damped natural

frequency
(velocity / wavelength )
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000

Calculate damped natural frequency from the equation provided

ωd= ωn√1−ζ 2
.
This equation can be written as:
𝜁2= 𝛿2/4 𝜋²+𝛿²
𝜁= √ (𝛿2/4 𝜋²+𝛿²)
δ = 𝑙𝑛 (𝑈𝑡/(𝑡+𝑡𝑑) )
δ= ln((𝑥0/𝑥1))

Mass g X0 X1 δ 𝜁= 𝛿 ωn ωd = ωd =
/2𝜋 ωn√1−ζ ωn√1−ζ
2 2
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000

Discussion
From the above results, it is clear to see that there is a relationship between the
experimental and theoretical values obtained. The values theoretical values vary with
the experimental ones within 1rad/s for 5 out of 6 cases. This experiment is therefore
necessary as it confirms that the theoretical equations of motion give indicative values
of the real situation of a single degree of freedom body subjected to free vibrations.

Despite the existence of this relationship, there is a slight difference in the theoretical
and experimental values. This difference is brought about by the various causes e.g.
internal friction within the system elements, air resistance as the system components
move through air. These effects result in energy losses in the system, leading to a decay
of motion until it eventually falls to zero.

Conclusion
In summary, the equations of motion developed to model the true situation of a single
degree of freedom body subjected to free vibrations holds true. The above experiment
was therefore successful as it showed that equations of motion may be sufficient in
determining the vibratory response. These equations can be used in determining
vibrations in buildings and structures subjected to various loadings which can be
designed for in the serviceability limit state, provided they are not excessive.
References
1. University of Nairobi, Department of mechanical and manufacturing
engineering, lab manual. (2008) Free vibration of a ‘single degree of
freedom’system.
Estimating the undamped natural frequency using equations of motion (ω n
theoretical)

With reference to the apparatus diagram above, deriving equation of motion;

2
L L
f i 1=M 1 ∙ θ̈∙ M i=M 1 ∙ ∙ θ̈
2 12

f i 2=M 2 b θ̈ f s=Kaθ

Taking moments at pivot P;

2 2
L L 2 2
M 1 θ̈+ M 1 θ̈+ K a θ+ M 2 b θ̈+C θ̇=0
4 12

( )
2 2
L L 2 2
M 1 + M 1 + M 2 b θ+Cθ+ K a θ=0
4 12

( )
2
L 2 2
M1 + M 2 b θ̈+ C θ̇+ K a θ=0
3
2
C Ka
θ̈+ 2
θ̇+ 2
θ=0
L 2 L 2
M1 +M2 b M 1 + M 2b
3 3

√( )
2
Ka
ω nt = 2
L 2
M1 +M2 b
3

Where;
M 1=Mass of ¯¿ 2. 09 Kg

M 2= Added masses

a=0 . 55 m

b=0 . 65 m

L=0 . 75 m

Replacing the appropriate values gives the theoretical (natural) undamped angular
frequency of the system.

Mass added (Kg) ω nt (theoretic )

Free(0)
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
2.0

Calculating damped natural frequency using experimental traces w d

Drum speed = 3RPM

Drum circumference = 29.21cm

Total distance covered by drum in 1 minute = 29.21×3 = 87.63cm/min

87 . 63
Speed in cm/s ¿ =1. 4605 cm/s
60

From analysis of the traces, we can obtain the respective period distances and periods
of oscillations for the respective added masses.
Added mass No. of Total distance Periodic distance Period T (s) = 2π
wd=
(Kg) oscillations (n) X(cm) P (cm)=X/n P/1.4605 T
Free(0)
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
2.0