Items Which Can Compromise Vibration Isolation

By: Frank Andrews, P.E.

Senior Engineer
Fabreeka International, Inc.

There are several phenomena which can make a properly designed and manufactured
isolator appear to provide significantly less than the theoretical isolation efficiency
(transmissibility). The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of those items which can
compromise the isolation efficiency of an isolation system.

SUPPORT STRUCTURE STIFFNESS

For an isolator to provide vibration isolation, it must be able to deflect. REMEMBER: NO

PROTECTION WITHOUT DEFLECTION. In general, the more the mount deflects, the
more vibration isolation that will be provided. However, if the support structure below the
mount or the equipment support above the mount, is too soft, the structure will take
some of the deflection which is intended for the mount. This reduces the effectiveness
of the mount, and may also result in fatigue problems in the structure.

The support structure can be considered as a spring, since it has some stiffness which
can be calculated or tested. The structure can then be considered as a spring in series
with the isolator. The combined effect (effective stiffness, or Keffective) can be estimated
by combining the stiffness with the following equation:

(Ksupport) x (Kmount)
Keffective =
(Ksupport) + Kmount)

From this equation, you can see that if the structure has a stiffness equal to the isolator,
the effective stiffness is equal to one-half of the isolator stiffness. In this case, the spring
would only deflect one-half its intended value. To ensure that an isolator will perform as
intended, a good rule of thumb is that the structure should have a stiffness of at least
ten times as much as the isolator.

From the preceding equation, this will ensure that the isolator will contribute at least 90
percent of the system flexibility. Since natural frequency varies as the square root of
stiffness, this means that the first natural frequency of the structure should be
approximately three times greater than that of the isolation system.
 Fabreeka International, Inc.

Figure A shows a schematic and graph

which illustrates the effect of a flexible
support structure. In this figure, the lower
dashed line frequency reflects the effective
stiffness previously discussed. The upper
dashed line frequency reflects the general
compromise in performance of the
isolation system.

When we quote isolation efficiencies, we

are assuming that the structure has
sufficient mass and rigidity to permit the
isolator to perform as intended. When we
are aware of potential deviations from this
criteria, we should be sure to alert the
customer to potential problems of such
deviations.

STRUCTURAL RESONANCES

Every body has some mass and some stiffness. It follows that every body has a
frequency at which it will resonate, or vibrate. In actuality, every structure has numerous
frequencies at which it will vibrate. The frequencies at which the body vibrates are
frequently referred to as structural resonances. Structural resonances are a function
of the material (e.g. steel, aluminum, wood), dimensions, shape and end conditions (or
method of support).

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 Fabreeka International, Inc.

Equipment which is mounted above vibration isolators is composed of numerous plates

and other structural elements, each of which will have its own unique structural
resonances. These resonances can be excited whether or not vibration isolators are
installed. A structural resonance is seen on a transmissibility plot as a sharp peak
extending above the transmissibility curve which would be based on the following
theoretical transmissibility equation.

Any structural resonance would appear this way if it is in the frequency range being
measured. Figure B shows a modified transmissibility curve with possible structural
resonances superimposed to demonstrate the effect being discussed.

When structural resonances are still objectionable, even with a properly functioning
isolation system, an effective solution could be to damp the offending structure.
Additional damping reduces the amplification at resonance. Stiffening the structure may
help, but most of the time it seems that this action simply shifts the problem frequency
to a higher frequency.

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 Fabreeka International, Inc.

ROCKING MODES

When a mass vibrates in the vertical direction on a proper isolation system, a

transmissibility curve is obtained which is similar to the theoretical transmissibility curve
(excluding the compromising effects which are under discussion). However, when
excitation is in the horizontal direction, a new phenomenon is introduced rocking
modes.

For horizontal excitation, there are two possible vibration modes generated: a
longitudinal mode and a pitch mode. These modes are said to be coupled when a
vibrating force at the frequency of one mode causes vibrations to occur at the frequency
in the other mode. Considering the entire system, there are six modes of vibration
three in translation and three in rotation.

A coupled isolation system spreads the frequencies of the two modes, resulting in
decreased isolation efficiency at higher frequencies. Figure C shows the effect of
rocking modes on vibration isolation. The family of curves represents the effect of
damping. As indicated, damping affects transmissibility in the rocking modes.

To improve isolation (eliminate rocking modes), the system must be decoupled. This
means that the elastic center of the isolators coincides with the center of gravity of the
isolated mass. When this happens, the six modes of vibration are independent, and
there is no loss in isolation efficiency due to rocking modes. This can be accomplished
by locating the isolators on the same horizontal plane as the center of gravity of the
isolated mass. A second method of decoupling is to focalize the isolation system to
project the elastic center to the center of gravity.

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 Fabreeka International, Inc.

STANDING WAVES

Every material has frequencies at which it will behave almost as if it is transparent (a

window) to vibrations. This means that the material will transmit vibrations at certain
frequencies even if the transmissibility equation indicates that little vibration would be
transmitted. In elastomers, these are sometimes referred to as standing waves. In metal
components, such as springs, they may also be referred to as standing waves, but they
are also referred to as surge frequencies.

In general, the frequencies (and harmonics) at which these occur are a function of the
material (density and speed of sound) and dimensions (thickness of rubber or length of
coil spring). Damping is also significant.

In elastomers, damping is sufficiently high that the effects of standing waves are seldom
significant. In springs, where damping is negligible, high frequency vibrations can pass
through the spring into the support structure. To compensate for this effect, springs are
generally combined with an elastomer pad, which breaks the transmission of high
frequency vibration (or noise).