Vibration Engineering

Engr. Dennis Buenviaje

Free Vibration of SDOF
The most fundamental system germane to the study of vibrations is the
single degree of freedom system. By definition a single degree of
freedom system is one for which only a single independent coordinate
is needed to describe the motion of the system completely. Under
appropriate circumstances, many complex systems may be adequately
represented by an equivalent single degree of freedom system. Further,
under a certain type of transformation, the motion of discrete multi-
degree of freedom systems and continuous systems can be
decomposed into the motion of a series of independent single degree
of freedom systems. Thus, the behavior of single degree of freedom
systems is of interest in this context as well as in its own right.
FREE VIBRATION OF UNDAMPED SYSTEMS

The oscillatory motion of a mechanical system may be generally

characterized as one of two types, free vibration or forced vibration.
Vibratory motions that occur without the action of external dynamic
forces are referred to as free vibrations, while those resulting from
dynamic external forces are referred to as forced vibrations. In this
chapter we shall study free vibrations of single degree of freedom
systems. We first establish the general form of the equation of motion
and its associated solution.
• The undamped motion of a SDOF system is simple harmonic motion.
The initial conditions determine the energy initially present in the
system. Potential energy is converted to kinetic energy and vice versa
without dissipation. Since energy is conserved, the system eventually
returns to its initial state with the original potential and kinetic
energies, completing one full cycle of motion. The subsequent cycle
duplicates the first cycle. The system takes the same amount of time
to execute the second cycle as it does the first. Since no energy is
dissipated, it executes subsequent cycles in the same amount of time.
Thus, the motion is cyclic and periodic. Figure below illustrates simple
harmonic motion of an undamped SDOF system.
Amplitude
The amplitude A, is the maximum displacement from equilibrium. The
amplitude is a function of the system parameters and the initial
conditions. The amplitude is a measure of the energy imparted to the
system through the initial conditions. For a linear system

where E is the sum of kinetic and potential energies.

Natural Frequency
• An object's natural frequency is the frequency or rate that it vibrates naturally
when disturbed. Objects can possess more than one natural frequency and we
typically use harmonic oscillators as a tool for modeling the natural frequency of
a particular object.
• We can apply an unnatural or forced frequency to an object that equals the
natural frequency of an object. In cases such as this, we are in effect creating
resonance, i.e., oscillations at the object’s natural frequency. If this occurs in
certain structures, the oscillations will continue to increase in magnitude, thus
resulting in structural failure.
• When a system’s oscillations are equivalent to its natural frequency, it forms
motion patterns. We call these certain characteristic frequencies an object’s
normal mode. Moreover, natural frequency consists of various primary factors
and they are as follows:
•
Cont…
• We call the frequency in which an object naturally vibrates, its natural
frequency.
• We can utilize harmonic oscillators as tools to model an object’s
natural frequency.
• Natural frequencies are those that occur naturally when we disturb
an object in a physical manner, whereas objects that vibrate in
accordance with the application of a particular rate are called forced
frequencies.
• If we apply a forced frequency that is equivalent to an object’s natural
frequency, the object will encounter resonance.
Cont…

• Visualize a spring with a ball, which represents mass, attached to its

end. While the ball and spring are stationary, the spring only partially
stretches out, and our simple harmonic oscillator is in a position of
equilibrium. Therefore, the tension from the springs is equal to the
gravitational force that pulls the ball (mass) downward.
• Once we move the ball away from its position of equilibrium, there
are two possible outcomes:
• It adds more tension to the spring, i.e., it is stretched downwards.
• It provides gravity the opportunity to pull the ball downward devoid
of the tension from the counteracting spring, i.e., you push the ball
upward.
Formula
• Regardless of which action you take, the ball will begin to oscillate about the
equilibrium position.
• This oscillating frequency is the natural frequency, and we measure it in Hz
(hertz). In summary, this will provide the oscillations per second depending on
the spring's properties and the ball's mass.
• Now, we will use the above example to calculate the natural frequency of a
simple harmonic oscillator. When calculating the natural frequency, we use the
following formula:
• f = ω ÷ 2π
• Here, the ω is the angular frequency of the oscillation that we measure in radians
or seconds. We define the angular frequency using the following formula:
• ω = √(k ÷ m)
• This, in turn, adjusts our formula to the following:
• f = √(k ÷ m) ÷ 2π
Example Problems
An engine of mass 500 kg is mounted on an elastic foundation of
equivalent stiffness 7 􏰄 105 N/m. Determine the natural frequency of
the system.
References:
• Engineering Vibration - William J Bottega
• Mechanical Vibration – S. Graham Kelly