UNDAMPED FREE VIBRATION-

LAB REPORT
Author: Muhammad Sohaib alam
 Contents Page number

Introduction 2

Theory 2

Apparatus 3

Experimental Procedure 3

Result 4

Discussion 8

Conclusion 10

References 10

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1.0 Introduction:
The purpose of the experiment was to determine the natural frequency for an un-damped spring
mass system. The experiment was divided into two main parts. For the theoretical value of the
𝑘
experiment, 𝜔𝑛 = √𝑚 was used. Weights were added to the spring and the extensions were
noted to find the value of spring constant, k. This value was then used to find the theoretical
value of natural frequency. For the second part of the experiment, the natural frequency was
2𝜋
found by first finding the time period of the oscillation and then substituting it into 𝜔𝑛 = 𝑇 .
The time period was found from the vibrating motion vs time graph.

2.0 Theory:
A vibration is the periodic motion of the body or system of connected bodies displaced from a
positon of equilibrium. The simplest type of vibrating motion is undamped free vibration as
shown in the figure A. When the block is in equilibrium, the spring exerts an upward force of
𝐹 = 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔 on the block. Hence, when the block is displaced downwards from the initial
positon, the magnitude of the spring force becomes
𝐹 = 𝑊 + 𝑘𝑦.
Appling equation of motion give:
∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑦̈ ………………..Equation 1
Hence
−𝑊 − 𝑘𝑦 + 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑦̈
−𝑘𝑦 = 𝑚𝑦̈ ……………….Equation 2
Since the acceleration of the block is proportional to the block’s
displacement, the motion can be also described in simple harmonic motion.
Rearranging the terms into ‘standard form’ gives
𝑦̈ + 𝜔2 𝑦 = 0……………..Equation 3
Where the natural frequency of the system is given by; Figure A

𝑘
𝜔 = √𝑚 ………………….Equation 4

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3.0 Apparatus:
The apparatus in figure B were used in the experiment.
 Displacement measuring transducer………...1
 Displacement measuring plate……………...2
 Spring…………………………………….….3
 Weights……………………………………...4
 Loading rod………………………….………5

Figure B

4.0 Procedure:
4.1. Determine the stiffness of the spring:
1. The length of the unloaded spring was measured.
2. Weight was inserted to the loading rod that included the plate. The loading rod along
with the added weight was then anchored to the spring.
3. The extension of the spring were loaded.
4. Steps 3-4 were repeated with four other different loading conditions.

4.2. Determine the natural frequency of the spring-mass system:

1. Weight was inserted to the loading rod that included the plate. The loading rod along
with the added weight was then anchored to the spring.
2. The displacement transducer was arranged in such a manner so that the probe touched
the plate of the loading rod properly.
3. The software ‘quickDAQ’ was run on the PC. The ‘Sample rate per channel’ as set to
1000 (i.e. 1000 data captured per second). The ‘Recoding time’ was set to 10 seconds.
4. The ‘Play” button was clicked on the PC to capture the initial displacement of the
system.
5. The data was saved under “initial displacement.csv’ using the ‘Save As’ function of
the program.

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 6. The loading rod was displaced slightly and the motion was then captured of the
vibrating system by clicking the ‘Play’ button.
7. The final data was saved under the name ‘final displacement.csv’.
8. The steps 1-7 were repeated with four other different loading conditions.

5.0 Results:
For the first part of the experiment where we had to find the theoretical value of 𝜔𝑛 , the
results for it are tabulated in the table below:

Total Initial length Extension of

Mass of the disk Mass Total Final length of
S.no Weight/Force of the spring the spring-x-
+ rod + lock (kg) added (kg) Mass (kg) the spring (m)
(kgms-2) (m) (m)
1 0.36 0.2 0.56 5.4936 0.139 0.137 0.002
2 0.36 0.3 0.66 6.4746 0.142 0.137 0.005
3 0.36 0.4 0.76 7.4556 0.149 0.137 0.012
4 0.36 0.5 0.86 8.4366 0.152 0.137 0.015
5 0.36 0.6 0.96 9.4176 0.162 0.137 0.025
Table A

5.1 Theoretical value:

After the results were tabulated a graph of force vs extension was plotted. The force was plotted
on the vertical axis whereas the time was plotted on the horizontal axis. The spring used
throughout the experiment was the constant variable.

Force vs extension graph

10
8
Force (N)

6
4
2
0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03
Extension (m)

Graph A

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5.1.1 Sample calculation:
 For added mass of 0.2 kg + 0.36kg

𝑘
𝜔 = √𝑚.

289.61
𝜔=√
0.56

𝜔 = 22.74 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑠 −1
The above procedure was followed to find the theoretical value for the rest of the four loading
conditions. The results are tabulated in the table below:

𝒌
Total Mass (kg) Natural frequency, 𝝎𝒏 = √𝒎 , (𝒓𝒂𝒅/𝒔)

0.56 289.61
√ = 22.74
0.56
0.66 289.61
√ = 20.95
0.66
0.76 289.61
√ =19.52
0.76
0.86 289.61
√ = 18.35
0.86
0.96 289.61
√ = 17.37
0.96
Table B-Theoretical 𝝎𝒏

5.2 Experimental results:

After the theoretical values for natural frequency 𝜔𝑛 , were obtained, the experimental values
were then worked upon. The results for the software ‘quickCAD’ were plotted on the graph.
The variable ‘motion of vibrations’ was plotted on the vertical axis whereas the variable ‘time’
was plotted on the horizontal axis. The graph obtained and their respective time period for six
oscillation are as follows;

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  For added mass of 0.2 kg + 0.36kg

1
0
Motion of vibration 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
Time (s) x10-2

(252−120)×10−2
𝑇= = 0.22 s
6

 For added mass of 0.3 kg + 0.36kg

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000
-1
Motion of vibration

-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
Time (s) x10-2

(347−147)×10−2
𝑇= = 0.33 s
6

 For added mass of 0.4 kg + 0.36kg

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
-1
Motion of vibration

-2

-3

-4

-5

-6
Time (s) x10-2

(302−11)×10−2
𝑇= = 0.48 s
6

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  For added mass of 0.5 kg + 0.36kg
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
-1

Motion of vibraton -2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
Time (s) x10-2

(350−16)×10−2
𝑇= = 0.56 s
6

 For added mass of 0.6 kg + 0.36kg

6
4
Motion of vibration

2
0
-2 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
-4
-6
-8
Time (s) x10-2

(410−67)×10−2
𝑇= = 0.57 s
6

After the time period for each respective graph was found, the experimental natural frequency
2𝜋
for each mass-spring system was found using 𝜔 = 𝑇 and the results were tabulated as below.

Mass (kg) 𝟐𝝅
Natural frequency, 𝝎𝒏 = (rad/s)
𝑻

0.56 2𝜋
=28.56
0.22

0.66 2𝜋
=18.85
0.33

0.76 2𝜋
=12.95
0.48
2𝜋
0.86 =11.28
0.56

0.96 2𝜋
=10.9
0.57

Table C-Experimental 𝝎𝒏

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6.0 Discussion:
For the first part of the experiment, where we had to find the stiffness of the spring, a line of
best fit was drawn for the plotted coordinates.

Force vs extension graph

12
10 y = 289.61x + 3.3652
8
Force (N)

6
4
2
0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03
Extension (m)

Graph B
The coordinates are scattered close to the line of best fit expect the one at the origin. A straight
line shows that the relation between the extension and the force is directly proportional. The
close scattering of the points show that in the experiment, the random errors were less.
However, the line do not pass through the origin, though it should have since at zero force there
was zero extension of the spring. This displays that the experiment had systematic error. From
the graph plotted, the value of ‘k’ was found. The value of ‘k’ equaled the gradient of the line
𝑘
i.e. 289.61 Nm-1.This value of ‘k’ is substituted in the equation: 𝜔 = √𝑚. The ‘m’ equaled the
total mass added to the spring .This enabled us to find the theoretical values of natural
frequency, 𝜔𝑛 .

The results obtained from the experiment displays that the experiment carried out was precise
but not accurate. The results obtained were close to each other but were far from the actual
value. The percentage errors between the theoretical and the experimental values are tabulated
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙
in the table below. The formula used was; 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | ×
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
100|

Total mass 0.56 0.66 0.76 0.86 0.96

(kg)
𝜔𝑛 Theoretical 22.74 20.95 19.52 18.35 17.37
value (rads-1)
𝜔𝑛 Practical 28.56 18.85 12.95 11.28 10.90
Value (rads-1)

Percentage 25.60 10.00 33.60 38.56 37.00

Error (%)

Table D

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From the table above, it can be seen that the highest percentage error in the reading were when
the total added mass added to the system was 0.86 kg. The percentage error at this loading
condition was 38.56 %. The lowest percentage error which was 10.00 % occurred when the
loading condition was 0.66 kg. The percentage errors for the experiment performed are beyond
the acceptable limits. There are many reasons why it is so. There were many errors in the
experiment while taking the change of length of the spring. It was quite difficult to get the
readings accurate since the meter rule given did not align properly with the spring. The origin
of the ruler kept moving a bit since it was not fixed to any point. Also to be noted is that the
precision of the measuring ruler was to 0.1 cm. This posed a problem since at some deflections,
more precise reading were required to improve the results. Parallax error could have also played
a part in the scattered reading. Other cause of error to the experiment was that when the spring-
mass system was displacement downwards and released, it sometimes exceeded the maximum
distance that can be measured by the transducer and thus the transducer hindered its motion.
This would have acted as a damper to the system. One other possible cause for higher
percentage of error in our experiment is that while finding the displacement using the
transducer, we displaced the spring-mass system to a certain length and made it to oscillate.
While oscillating there were resistive forces like uneven air resistance, resistance between the
transducer itself and the plate. There was also resistance between the rod and the hole that made
sure that it do not oscillate left and right and just up and down. These forces may have hindered
the vibration and may have given false readings.
One thing to be noted in the experiment is that the spring-mass system observed in the
experiment is a free undamped system. Ideally, this kind of system should keep on running
forever. However, as observed from the experiment, the system came to a halt even though
there was no dashpot to provide damping. It is because there are energy losses to the
surrounding as the system oscillates. When the spring-mass system oscillates, the energy is lost
to the surrounding in form of heat and sound. The friction forces and the viscous drag also
slows down the system. All these resistive forces eventually cancels out the initial force applied
to the spring and thus the spring-mass system come to a rest.

6.1 Improvements and suggestions:

The following suggestions could be implemented to the experiment to increase the overall
accuracy and the precision of the experiment.
 Fixed measuring ruler should have been used.
 The precision of the fixed ruler should be more than 0.1 cm.
 Use a transducer that can record higher displacement of the spring-mass system.
 A small pointer should be attached to the bottom of the spring so that when the spring
extends, it is easier to read the value off from the ruler that it corresponds to.
 Place our line of sight perpendicular to the scale to avoid parallax error.
 The surfaces in contact should be well lubricated and the experiment should be
performed under even air conditions.
 More sets of readings to be taken and the average find out to avoid random errors in the
experiment.

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7.0 Conclusion:
The experiment carried out fulfilled its desired purpose i.e. to find the natural frequency of an
un-damped mass system to some extent. The results however, had percentage errors beyond
the acceptable limits. The experiment was prone to both systematic and random errors. This
caused the experiment to be less precise and accurate. The results could have been improved
by implementing the suggestions as discussed in section 6.1.

8.0 References:
 Anonymous. (2013). Free Vibration of Undamped Systems. Available:
http://ocw.tudelft.nl/courses/aerospace-engineering/vibrations/lectures/2-free-
vibration-of-undamped-systems/.
 J.L Meriam (2009). Engineering Mechanics-DYNAMICS. 6th ed. United States of
America: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Pages 33-35.
 Mr. Bankole Abiola (2006). Elementary Mechanics. Nigeria: National Open
University of Nigeria . Page 219-232
 R.C. Hibbeler (2007). Engineering Mechanics-DYNAMICS. 11th ed. Singapore:
Pearson Education. Pages 619-622.
 Robert W.Soutas-Little . (2008). Vibration and time response. In: Erin
Wagner Engineering Mechanics. Canada: Thomson Learning. Pages 601-659.
 Sakshat Singh. (2009). Free Vibration of a Viscously Damped Single DOF
System. Available: http://iitg.vlab.co.in/?sub=62&brch=175&sim=1083&cnt=1
 Shawn Chris. (2011). Free undamped vibrations. Available:
http://leancrew.com/all-this/2014/03/free-undamped-vibrations/
 Singiresu S.Rao (2010). Vibration of continuous systems . 3rd ed. United States
of America: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Pages 15-25.

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