CE661 – Structural Dynamics

Assignment – 01

1. A bullet is fired at a speed of 18.3 m/s into the block and it becomes
embedded in the block. The mass of the block and the bullet are 4.55 kg
and 0.25 kg, respectively. If the spring stiffness is 1.75 × 104 N/m,
calculate the ensuing motion of the block.

𝑥ሺ𝑡ሻ
𝑘

2. A portal frame supports a machine that exerts a sinusoidal force of 8.5 kN

at a frequency of 1.75 Hz. The mass of the machine and the frame (at the
floor level) is 4000 kg and 5000 kg, respectively. The lateral stiffness of the
frame is 4 × 106 N/m.

(a) Determine the steady state amplitude of vibration, if 𝜉 = 4%

(b) Determine the increase in steady state amplitude at resonance.

3. A SDOF system is subjected to a base excitation with a frequency ratio of

2.5, and the designer proposed to provide a damping ratio of more than
0.40 to keep the transmissibility ratio to less than 0.40. Is the decision
given by the designer correct or not? Give justification to your answer.

4. If 𝜔1 and 𝜔2 are the frequencies corresponding to half-power points, show

that the damping ratio can be expressed as

𝜔2 − 𝜔1
𝜉=
𝜔2 + 𝜔1

5. Measurement data of the steady-state acceleration amplitude of a

structure, subjected to a vibration generator, is listed in the following
table. Calculate 𝜔𝑛 and 𝜉 of the structure.
Frequency (Hz) Acceleration ሺ10−3 𝑔ሻ Frequency (Hz) Acceleration ሺ10−3 𝑔ሻ
1.337 0.68 1.500 7.10
1.378 0.90 1.5 l3 5.40
1.400 I.15 1.520 4.70
I.417 1.50 1.530 3.80
1.438 2.20 1.540 3.40
1.453 3.05 1.550 3.10
1.462 4.00 1.567 2.60
I.477 7.00 1.605 1.95
1.487 8.60 1.628 1.70
1.493 8.15 1.658 1.50
1.497 7.60

6. A SDOF system having 𝑚 = 30000 kg; 𝑐 = 50 kN-s/m and 𝑘 = 4000 kN/m,

is subjected to a harmonic force of amplitude 150 kN and forcing frequency
5 rad/sec. Initial displacement and velocity are 0.02 m and 0.1 m/s,
respectively. Use MATLAB to plot the time history of the following:

(a) Transient response

(b) Steady-state response
(c) Total response
(d) Inertia, Damping and Spring Force