DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING
Programme(s):
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
(Honours)

Lecturer:

Course Title:

Engineering Dynamics

Course Code:

EE3392

Laboratory :
Mechanics Lab.

Date :

Prof. Ir. Dr Abu Bakar Mahat

Semester - May 2016

LABSHEET
Experiment 3 : FREE VIBRATIONS.
1A
1B
1C
1D

Simple Pendulum
Compound Pendulum
Bi-Filar Suspension
Tri-Filar Suspension

S313

Engineering

Notes:
(1) On-the-spot evaluation may be carried out during or at the end of the
experiment.
(2) Students are advised to read through this lab sheet before doing the experiment.
(3) Your performance, teamwork effort, and learning attitude will count towards the
marks.

EXPERIMENT NO. 1A : SIMPLE PENDULUM

AIM:To verify the relation Tp = 2 x x (L / g)
Where,
Tp = Periodic time Sec.
L = Length of pendulum in cm

INTRODUCTION:A simple pendulum, in its simplest form, consists of heavy ball suspended
at the end of a light inextensible and flexible string. The other end of
the string is fixed at other end.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SET UP:For conducting the experiment, each ball is supported by a nylon thread into the hook.
It is possible to change the length of pendulum. This makes it possible to study the effect of
variation of length on periodic time. A small ball may be substituted for large ball to
illustrate that the period of oscillation is
independent of the mass of the ball.

PROCEDURE: Attach each ball to one end of the thread.

Measure the length of thread from chuck end to ball

Allow the ball to oscillate for 10 oscillations and determine the periodic time.

 Use the photo sensor and magnetic stand to count the oscillation.

For stopwatch start, stop & reset use green & red push buttons.

Get the number of oscillations on display on control panel.

Repeat the experiment by changing the length.

Complete the observation table given below

OBSERVATION:

Diameter of the small ball

= 49 mm.

Diameter of the big ball

= 60 mm.

Weight of small ball

= 0.060 Kg.

Weight of big ball

= 0.120 Kg.

OBSERVATION TABLE:Sr. L = Length

No

meter

n = No of

t =Time for n

oscillations

oscillations (sec)

CALCULATION:To calculate the practical time by using following relation:

Tpract = t/n sec.

To calculate the theoretical time by using following relation :

Ttheo = 2 x x (L/g)

NOTE: - Result Sheet & Assembly Diagram Given Only For Reference

RESULT SHEET:SAMPLE CALCULATION

OBSERVATION :

Diameter of the small ball

Diameter of the big ball
Weight of small ball
Weight of big ball

= 49 mm
= 60 mm
= 0.058 Kg
= 0.094 Kg

OBSERVATION TABLE :
Sr. L = Length
No.
(cm)

n = No of
oscillations

t =Time for n
oscillations (sec)

Tp = t/n
(sec)

Ttheo.
(sec)

37

10

12.4

1.24

1.21

45

10

13.5

1.35

1.34

50

10

14.4

1.44

1.41

57

10

14.7

1.47

1.51

SAMPLE CALCULATION :
To calculate the theoretical time for reading no. 1:

Ttheo = 2 x x ( L/g)
Ttheo = 2 x x (0.37 / 9.81)

Ttheo = 1.21 sec

EXPERIMENT NO. 1B : COMPOUND PENDULUM

AIM:To determine the radius of gyration k of given compound
pendulum by using following relation,

Tp = 2

2
2
k + (OG)
---------------------g x (OG)

Where,
Tp = Periodic time Sec.
L = Length of pendulum in cm

INTRODUCTION :When a rigid body is suspended vertically and its oscillates with a small
amplitude under the action of the force of gravity, the body is known as
compound pendulum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SET UP:The compound pendulum consists of M i l d S t e e l ( M.S.) bar. The bar is
supported in the hole by the knife-edge bracket.

PROCEDURE: Hang the rod on knife-edge.

Note the length of suspended pendulum & determine OG.

Allow the bar to oscillate and determine T by knowing the time for say 10
oscillations.

 Use the photo sensor and magnetic stand for count the oscillation.

For stopwatch start, stop & reset use green & red push buttons.

Get the number of oscillations on display on control panel.

Repeat the experiment with second pendulum.

Complete the observation table given below

OBSERVATION: Length of small pendulum

=580 mm.

Length of big pendulum

= 780 mm.

C. G of small pendulum

= 290 mm.

C.G. of big pendulum

= 390 mm.

Weight of small pendulum

= 1.160 kg.

Weight of big pendulum

= 1.520 kg.

OBSERVATION TABLE:Sr.

L = Length

OG = Center of

n = No of

t =Time for n

No

(cm)

gravity (cm)

oscillations

oscillations (sec)

CALCULATION:Find TExpt (experimental) from the relation

TExpt = t/n sec.
Find KExpt (experimental) from the relation
2

T = 2

k + (OG)
------------------g x (OG)
Where,
T = Periodic time = t / n sec.
t = Time for n oscillation in sec.
N = No. Of Oscillation
OG = Center of gravity in meter

Substituting for OG and T in the above formula find K(experimental)

Ktheo = L / (12)
Compare values of Ktheoretical and Kexperimental.

NOTE: - Result Sheet & Assembly Diagram Given Only For Reference

RESULT SHEET:SAMPLE CALCULATION

OBSERVATION:

Length of small pendulum

Length of big pendulum
C. G of small pendulum
C.G. of big pendulum

= 53 cm
= 82 cm
= 26.5 cm
= 41 cm

A. FOR SMALL PENDULUM :

OBSERVATION TABLE:
Sr. L = Length
(cm)
No.
1

53

n = No of t =Time for n Texpt. = t / n

(Sec)
oscillations oscillations (sec)
10

12.3

SAMPLE CALCULATION:
1. Calculate Kexpt (experimental) from the relation
2

k + (OG)
Kexpt. = 2 ----------------------g x (OG)
2

k + (0.265)
1.23 = 2 ----------------------9.81 x (0.265)

Kexpt = 0.17
2. Now theoretical radius of gyration
K theo = L / 12
K theo = 0.53 / 12
Ktheo = 0.15

1.23

B. FOR BIG PENDULUM:

OBSERVATION TABLE:
Sr
No
1

L = Length n = No. of
in cm
Oscillations.
82
10

t =Time for n
Oscillation in sec.
14.6

SAMPLE CALCULATION:
1. Calculate Kexpt (experimental) from the relation
2

Texpt. =

k + (OG)
2 ---------------------g x (OG)
2

k + (0.41)
1.46 = 2 -------------------9.81 x (0.41)
Kexpt = 0.22
2. Now theoretical radius of gyration
K theo = L / 12
K theo = 0.82 / 12
Ktheo = 0.236

Texpt. =
t/n in sec
1.46

EXPERIMENT NO. 1C : BI-FILER SUSPENSION

AIM:
To determine the radius of gyration of given bar by using Bi-Filer suspension.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SET UP:

A uniform rectangular section bar is suspended from the pendulum support frame by
two parallel cords.

Top ends of the cords are attached to hooks fitted at the top. Other

ends are secured in the Bi-Filer bar. It is possible to change the length of the cord.

PROCEDURE: Suspend the bar from hook. The suspension length of each cord must be the same.
Allow the bar to oscillate about the vertical axis passing through the center and
measure the periodic time T, by knowing the time for say 10 oscillations.
Use the photo sensor and magnetic stand for count the oscillation.

 For stopwatch start, stop & reset use green & red push buttons.

Get the number of oscillations on display on control panel.

Repeat the experiment by mounting the weights at equal distance from the center

OBSERVATION: L = Length of Thread

= 0.3 meter

A = Distance between two pivot

= 0.46 meter

OBSERVATION TABLE:Sr. No

n = No. of oscillations

t =Time for
n oscillations (sec)

CALCULATION:Calculate the experimental periodic time

Texpt = t/n sec.

Calculate the radius of gyration experimentally

k
T= 2 x ----a

L
------g

Where,
a = distance between two wires in meter.
k = radius of gyration of Bi-filer suspension

NOTE: - Result Sheet & Assembly Diagram Given Only For Reference

RESULT SHEET:SAMPLE CALCULATION

OBSERVATION:
a = Distance between two pivot = 46 cm

OBSERVATION TABLE:
Sr.
No.
1

L = length of
thread (cm)
28.55

n = No of
oscillations
10

t =Time for
n oscillations (sec)
9.8

SAMPLE CALCULATION:
Calculate the radius of gyration experimentally

K
L
Texpt. = 2 x ------------a
g
K
0.285
0.98 = 2 x ------- --------0.46
9.81

K = 0.236

Texpt. = t / n
(Sec)
0.98

Kexpt.
0.42

EXPERIMENT NO. 1D : TRI-FILAR SUSPENSION

AIM:To determine the radius of gyration of given bar by using Tri-Filer suspension.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SET UP:A circular disc is suspended by three parallel cords, which attached to the hooks
fitted at another disc is fixed at the top. Other ends are secured in the Tri -Filer bar. It is
possible to change the length of the cord.

PROCEDURE:

Before starting the experiment, ensure that the suspension length of each cord
must be the same.

Allow the disc to oscillate about the vertical axis passing through the center and
measure the periodic time T, by knowing the time for say 10 oscillations.

Use the photo sensor and magnetic stand for counting the oscillations.

 For stopwatch start, stop & reset use green & red push buttons.

Get the number of oscillations on display on control panel.

Repeat the experiment by mounting the weights at equal distance from the center.

NOTE: - Result Sheet & Assembly Diagram Given Only For Reference

OBSERVATION: L = Length of Thread = meter

r = Distance of each cords from the axis of the disc. = meter

OBSERVATION TABLE:Sr. No

t = Time for
n oscillations (sec)

n = No of
oscillations

Texpt = Periodic time

= t / n (sec)

CALCULATION:Calculate the experimental periodic time

Texpt = t/n sec.

Calculate the radius of gyration experimentally

k
T= 2 x ---r

L
---g

Where,
r = Distance of each cords from the axis of the disc.
k = Radius of gyration of Tri-filer suspension.

Laboratory Report
The report must justify and verify the objective(s) providing all required
vital information, while eliminating unnecessary materials. Organization,
concise and completeness are of paramount importance.
The following information, if required, must be included in the report:
1) Report cover-sheet must include: Name, ID, Group & Date of
Submission.
2) Introduction
3) Objective
4) Theory
5) Apparatus
6) Procedure / Methodology
7) Calculation
8) Results / Tables / Graphs
9) Discussion
10)
Conclusion
11)
References
Note:
All materials used must be cited in the report.