DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

2017/18 FIRST SEMESTER EXAM

COURSE CODE MEE 411

COURSE TITLE MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
DATE MAY 09, 2018
TIME ALLOWED 3 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS ATTEMPTS FIVE QUESTIONS, AT LEAST ONE FROM EACH SECTION
PHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE EXAM HALL

SECTION 1: FREE VIBRATIONS

Question One.
a. Given two springs with spring constants k1 and k2. Derive expressions for the equivalent
spring constant keq in series and in parallel.(4 marks)
b. Determine the equivalent spring constant of the system shown below; if K1 = 2KN/m, K2 =
5KN/m, K3 = 3KN/m, K4 = 10KN/m, K5 = 7KN/m.(4 marks)

c. A shaft of 100mm diameter and 1 metre long is fixed at one end and the other end carries
a flywheel of mass 1 tonne. Taking Young’s modulus for the shaft material as 200GN/m2.
Find the natural frequency of longitudinal and transverse vibrations.(8 marks)
Question Two.
a. Show that for a shaft of length 𝑙 carrying two rotors at its ends with equal and opposite
torque, with a nodal section 𝑙1 from rotor one, we have;
𝑘1 𝑙2 𝐼1
= =
𝑘2 𝑙1 𝐼2
Where 𝑘1 and 𝑘2 are the torsional stiffness of length 𝑙1 and 𝑙2 respectively and 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 are
the mass moments of Inertia of length 𝑙1 and 𝑙2 respectively (5 marks)
b. Two rotors, one of mass 20kg and radius of gyration 120mm, the other 30kg and radius of
gyration 150mm, are mounted on opposite ends of a shaft of 50mm diameter. If the
frequency of torsional vibration is 100 Hz, what is the length of the shaft and the position
of the node? Modulus of rigidity =80,000N/mm2. (5 marks)
c. The two rotors A and B are attached to the end of a shaft 500mm long. The Mass of the
rotor A is 300kg and its radius of gyration is 300mm. the corresponding values of the rotor
B are 500kg and 450mm respectively. The shaft is 70mm in diameter for the first 250mm;
120mm for the next 70mm and 100mm diameter for the remaining length. The modulus of
rigidity of the shaft material is 80GN/m2.
Find:
 The position of the node and
 The frequency of torsional vibrations (6 marks)
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 DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Question Three.
a. Show that for a shaft fixed at one end and carrying a disc at the other end, the effective
inertia is
1
𝐼𝑒𝑓𝑓 = (𝐼 + 𝐼𝑠 )
3
Where 𝐼 is the inertia of the disc and 𝐼𝑠 is the inertia of the shaft. (5 marks)
b. A uniform platform 3m long, 1m wide and of mass 100kg carries a central load of 20kg. It
is hinged at end “O" and it is supported in the horizontal position by two springs at points
P and Q symmetrically placed 2m apart with stiffness’s 20,000Nm and 5,000Nm
respectively. Find the natural frequency of the platform about “O” (6 marks)

3m

20kg

P Q

c. The natural frequency of a spring-mass system is 20 Hz and when extra 3 kg mass is

attached to its mass the natural frequency reduces by 4 Hz. Determine the mass and
stiffness of the system.(5 marks)

SECTION 2: FREE DAMPED VIBRATIONS

Question Four
a. Given that for an underdamped system.(8 marks)
𝑥 = 𝑒 −𝜁𝜔𝑛 𝑡 [C cos √(1 − 𝜁 2 )𝜔𝑛 𝑡 + 𝐷 sin √(1 − 𝜁 2 )𝜔𝑛 𝑡]
Determine the constants C and D given boundary conditions as
𝑥(0) = 𝑥𝑜
𝑥̇ (0) = 𝑥̇ 𝑜
b. Derive the equation of motion for the system below. (w = mg)
If m = 1.5 kg, K = 4900 N/m, a = 6 cm and b = 14 cm, determine the value of c for which
the system is critically damped. (8 marks)

Question Five
a. Show that the plane of position and velocity for a body undergoing coulomb damping in the
first half circle gives

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 DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

𝑥̇ 2
(𝑥 − 𝑎)2 + = (𝑥0 − 𝑎)2
𝜔𝑛 2
𝜇𝑚𝑔
Where 𝑎 = (6 marks)
𝑘
b. A metal block, placed on a rough surface, is attached to a spring and is given an initial
displacement of 10 cm from its equilibrium position. After five cycles of oscillation in 2 s,
the final position of the metal block is found to be 1 cm from its equilibrium position. Find
the coefficient of friction between the surface and the metal block. (5 marks)
c. The block in the system shown is displaced 10 mm and released. How many cycles of motion
will be executed? 𝜇 =0.12, mass =1kg and k=10,000N/m (5 marks)

SECTION 3: FORCED VIBRATIONS

Question Six
a. Given that
1
𝑀=
√(1 − 𝛽 2 )2 + (2𝜁𝛽)2
Determine the value of the maximum magnification of a system undergoing forced
vibration. (8 marks)

b. An Automobile is modeled as a single degree of freedom system vibrating in the vertical

direction. It is driven along a road whose elevation varies sinusoidally. The distance from
peak to trough is 0.2m and the distance along the road between peaks is 35m. If the natural
frequency of the automobile is 2Hz and the damping ratio of the shock absorbers is 0.15,
determine the amplitude of vibration of the automobile at a speed of 60km/hr. If the speed
of the automobile is varied, find the most unfavorable speed for the passengers. (8 marks)

Question Seven
a. Given that
𝐹⁄
𝐴= 𝑘
√(1 − 𝛽 2 )2 + (2𝜁𝛽)2
And damping ratio 𝜁 ≠ 0, Derive the expressions for dynamic amplitude and magnification
at resonance. (6 marks)
b. A spring-mass system with m = 10 kg and k = 5000 N/m is subjected to a harmonic force of
amplitude 250 N and frequency ω. If the maximum amplitude of the mass is observed to
be 100 mm, find the value of ω. (4 marks)
c. A 50kg sewing machine operates at 1200rev/min has a rotating unbalance of 0.5kg-m. What
is the maximum stiffness of an undamped isolator such that the forces transmitted to the
machine is less than 2,000N. (6 marks)

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