SWK 211 2023 Group No.

:
No. Surname Initials Student No.
Vibration Practical 1
2
2 June 2023
3
4

Each group will be given a harmonic spring, wooden plank, G-clamp, paper clips and 6 x 4.6 g
weights. A paper clip weighs 1 g. Suspend the spring from the side of the work benches as
will be explained in the tutorial.
Disclaimer: The springs can carry a maximum load of 80 g. Overloading results in permanent
damage. The replacement cost is R350 per spring, imported from the USA.
YOU BREAK – YOU PAY!

Task 1

Using the weights and a ruler, determine the spring constant in units of N/m using the table
and graph below.
Spring constant [N/m]: __________
Load

Displacement

Load [g]

Load [N]
Displacement
[mm]

1
Task 2
Remove the masses from the spring from Task 1, leaving only 9.2 g. Give the spring a small
downward displacement (no more than 10 mm) and allow the mass to oscillate. Determine
the natural frequency of the oscillation by timing at least 10 cycles. Work out the natural
frequency in oscillations per second and then in radians per second.
Now also determine the natural frequency with two, three, four and five weights added.
Record your results in the table below:

Mass [g] Natural Frequency [Hz] Natural Frequency [rad/s]

9.2
Frequency [rad/s]

Mass

What relationship do you observe between natural frequency and mass?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

2
Theory
We now want to consider the theory behind the observed oscillations. First, we draw a free
body diagram for the mass suspended by the spring while it is hanging at rest. Assume that
x = 0 with the mass at rest and that x increases positively downward. We then give the mass
a small downward displacement of x and then we release it. Just before we release it, the
mass finds itself at the position of the dotted circle.

x=0
x

(a) Indicate the forces acting on the dotted mass the instant after it is released. (Hint: Before
you do this, consider which forces acted on the mass before it was given a downward
displacement?)
In civil engineering we are generally very lucky because our structures must stand still. We
analyse them by stating that the sums of the forces in the x, y and z directions are zero.
However, when we release the mass above, it will not stand still, but it will start to accelerate
upwards. What must be the sum of the forces in such a case?

ΣFi = _______________ (equation 1)

Write down the full equilibrium equation describing the motion of the mass by inserting the
terms for ΣFi into the equation above.

_______________________________________________________________ (equation 2)

Now remember that velocity (v) is the first derivative of displacement (x) with respect to time,
i.e. v = dx/dt = 𝑥̇ . Acceleration (a) is the second derivative of displacement with respect to
time, i.e. a = d2x/dt2=𝑥̈ . Substitute these relationships into equation 2 to create a homogeneous
differential equation describing the motion of the oscillating mass.

_______________________________________________________________ (equation 3)

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

3
From what you have been taught in maths you should be able to work out that the general
𝑘 𝑘
solution of the differential equation above is 𝑥 = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛(√𝑚 𝑡) + 𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠(√𝑚 𝑡), where A and B are
integration constants. This is mathematically the same as 𝑥 = 𝐶𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑛 𝑡 + 𝜙) when we
𝑘
substitute √𝑚 for ωn and we use two alternative constants C and φ. We now want to investigate
how to get the natural frequency of vibration from the equation: 𝑥 = 𝐶𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑛 𝑡 + 𝜙). Plot the
graph of 𝑥 = 𝐶𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑛 𝑡 + 𝜙) below when ωn = 1 and 𝜙 = 0 (work in radians). Note that the
solution of the differential equation gives the displacement of the mass (x) as a function of
time (t).

t (sec)
   

What is the period of the oscillation plotted above? _________________________________

From the period, calculate the frequency in oscillations/sec: __________________________

How many radians are there in a complete oscillation? ______________________________

What is the frequency in radians per second? _____________________________________

What is the relationship between the frequency in radians per second and ωn?
________________

Now plot the graph of 𝑥 = 𝐶𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑛 𝑡 + 𝜙) of the graph above when ωn = 2 and 𝜙 = 0 (work in
radians).
What is the period of the oscillation plotted above? _________________________________

From the period, calculate the frequency in oscillations/sec: __________________________

What is the frequency in radians per second? _____________________________________

From what you have seen in these calculations, what is the relationship between the
frequency of the oscillation in radians per second and ωn? ___________________________

4
 𝑘
Remember, above we substituted 𝜔𝑛 = √
𝑚

Now, for the masses you have examined and your measured spring stiffness, calculate the
theoretical natural frequency and plot that on the graph from task 2. Clearly indicate which is
the theoretical natural frequency and which is the experimental natural frequency. Use the
table below.

Mass [g] Natural Frequency [rad/s]

9.2

What difference did you observe between the experimental and theoretical natural
frequencies? If there is a difference, give a possible explanation as to why.
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Choose a mass that you can make up from the weights distributed in class and calculate the
theoretical natural frequency.
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Now have your calculation tested physically using the vibration equipment and the
assistance of the demonstrators.
What will happen to your spring and weight combination if you vibrate them at their natural
frequency?
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________