Kurdistan Region Government (KRG)

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Erbil Polytechnic University
Erbil Technical Engineering College
Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department

STUDY, ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF BLOCK DIAGRAM

REDUCTION

A graduation project submitted in partial fulfillment

Of the requirements for the Bachelor degree in
Mechanical and Energy Engineering

By
Name of Student: Zahra AbdulHameed Shukr

Supervisor: Dastan Zrar Ghafoor

2019-2020
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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Classification of Control System ..................................................................................................... 3
Block Diagram Reduction Technique ............................................................................................. 5
Block Diagram Rules ...................................................................................................................... 6
Advantages of Block Reduction Technique .................................................................................... 9
Discussion........................................................................................................................................ 9
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 10
References ..................................................................................................................................... 10

Introduction
A block diagram of a system is a pictorial representation of the functions performed by each
component of the system and shows the flow of signals. In block diagram, the system consists of
so many components. These components are linked together to perform a particular function. Each
component can be represented with the help of individual block. The transfer function of a
component is represented by a block. Block has single input and single output.[1]

Figure 1 Single block diagram representation

Block diagrams of some of the systems turn out to be complex, such that the evaluation of their
performance required simplification (or reduction) of block diagrams which is carried out by block
diagram rearrangements.[2] In general, the block diagram consists of blocks, arrows, take (pick)
off points and/or summing points regarding the closed-loop control .we can define the following
terms;
Plant: A physical object to be controlled. The Plant G2 (s), is the controlled system, of which a
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particular quantity or condition is to be controlled.
Feedback Control System (Closed‐loop Control System): A system which compares output to
some reference input and keeps output as close as possible to this reference.
Open‐loop Control System: Output of the system is not feedback to the system Control Element
G1(s), also called the controller, are the components required to generate the appropriate control
signal M (s) applied to the plant Feedback Element H(s) is the component required to establish the
functional relationship between the primary feedback signal B (s) and the controlled output C(s).
Reference Input R (s) is an external signal applied to a feedback control system in order to
command a specified action of the plant. It often represents ideal plant output behavior.
Controlled Output C(s) is that quantity or condition of the plant which is controlled Actuating
Signal E(s), also called the error or control action, is the algebraic sum consisting of the reference
input R (s) plus or minus (usually minus) the primary feedback B (s).
Manipulated Variable M (s) (control signal) is that quantity or condition which the control
elements G1 (s) apply to the plant G2 (s).
Disturbance U (s) is an undesired input signal which affects the value of the controlled output
C(s). It may enter the plant by summation with M (s), or via an intermediate point, as shown in the
block diagram of the figure above.
Forward Path is the transmission path from the actuating signal E(s) to the output C(s).
Feedback Path is the transmission path from the output C(s) to the feedback signal B (s).
Summing Point: A circle with a cross is the symbol that indicates a summing point. The (+) or
(−) sign at each arrowhead indicates whether that signal is to be added or subtracted.
Branch (pick/take off) Point: A branch point is a point from which the signal from a block goes
concurrently to other blocks or summing points.

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 Figure 2 Block diagram components

R(s) Laplace of reference input r (t)

C(s) Laplace of controlled output c (t)
E(s) Laplace of error signal e (t)
B(s) Laplace of feedback signal b (t)
G(s) Forward path transfer function
H(s) Feedback path transfer function
A block diagram of a system is a pictorial representation of the functions performed by each
component and of the flow of signals. Such a diagram depicts the interrelationships that exist
among the various components. Differing from a purely abstract mathematical .A block
diagram of a system is a pictorial representation of the functions performed by each component
and of the flow of signals. Such a diagram depicts the interrelationships that exist among the
various components. Differing from a purely abstract mathematical. A block diagram of
a system is a pictorial representation of the functions performed by each component and of the
flow of signals. Such a diagram depicts the interrelationships that exist among the various
components. Differing from a purely abstract mathematical.

Classification of Control System

1. Open loop Control System

A block diagram of an open-loop system in which the control action is totally in dependent of the
output system.

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Advantages of Open Loop Control System
1. Simple in construction and design.
2. Economical.
3. Easy to maintain.
4. Generally stable
5. Convenient to use as output is difficult to measure.
Disadvantages of Open Loop Control System
1. They are inaccurate.
2. They are unreliable.
3. Any change in output cannot be corrected automatically.
2. Closed loop control system

A block diagram of a closed-loop system. The output C(s) Is fed back to the summing point, where
it is compared with the reference input R(s). The closed-Loop nature of the system is clearly
indicated by the figure. The output of the block, C(s) in this case, is obtained by multiplying the
transfer function G(s) by the input to the block, E(s) a block diagram of a closed-loop system. The
output C(s) is fed back to the summing point, where it is compared with the reference input R(s).
The closed- loop nature of the system is clearly indicated by the figure. The output of the block,
C(s) in this case, is obtained by multiplying the transfer function G(s) by the input to the block,
E(s)
A block diagram of a closed-loop system. The output C(s) is fed back to the summing point, where
it is compared with the reference input R(s). The closed-loop nature of the system is clearly
indicated by the figure. The output of the block, C(s) in this case, is obtained by multiplying the
transfer function G(s) by the input to the block, E(s)

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Advantages of Closed Loop Control System
1. Closed loop control systems are more accurate even in the presence of nonlinearity.
2. Highly accurate as any error arising is corrected due to presence of feedback signal.
3. Bandwidth range is large.
4. Facilitates automation.
5. The sensitivity of system may be made small to make system more stable.
6. This system is less affected by noise
Disadvantages of Closed Loop Control System
1. They are costlier.
2. They are complicated to design.
3. Required more maintenance.
4. Feedback leads to oscillatory response.
5. Overall gain is reduced due to presence of feedback.
6. Stability is the major problem and more care is needed to design a stable closed loop system.

Block Diagram Reduction Technique

Block diagram basics

In general, the block diagram of a linear time invariant system consists of four components, namely
signal, block (with transfer function), summing point and pickoff point The basic block diagram
algebra involves algebra with regard to series/cascaded blocks, parallel blocks and a general
feedback loop Series blocks combine with each other by multiplication and parallel blocks
combine with each other by algebraic addition. The combined block is interchangeable in sequence
in both cases. The simplification of the general feedback loop.
Because of their simplicity and versatility, block diagrams are often used by control engineers to

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 describe all types of systems. A block diagram can be used simply to represent the composition
and interconnection of a system. Also, it can be used, together with transfer functions, to represent
the cause-and-effect relationships throughout the system. Transfer Function is defined as the
relationship between an input signal and an output signal to a device. A block diagrams can become
quite complex, for example, if the system has internal feedback loops like we saw for the electric
motor in the pump drive example. Sometimes we therefore need to reduce a complex system
diagram into a more manageable form. We can do this mathematically by looking at the algebra
of the transfer function equations of each individual block, but often it is easier just to manipulate
the blocks directly.[3]
We need to follow certain rules to reduce any given complex control system into simpler form. So
following are the most widely used block diagram reduction rules
ADVANTAGES OF BLOCK DIAGRAM:
- Very simple to construct the block diagram for complicated systems.

- Individual as well as overall performance of the system can be studied by using transfer functions
shown in the block diagram.

- Overall closed loop transfer function can be easily calculated using block diagram rules.

- The function of the individual element can be visualized from the block diagram.
DISADVANTAGES OF BLOCK DIAGRAM:
- Block diagram does not include any information about the physical construction of the system.
- Source of energy is generally not shown in the block diagram, so block diagram for a given
system is not unique.

Block Diagram Rules

Rule 1: Blocks in cascade/series

 Rule 2: Blocks in parallel
 Rule 3: Feedback loop elimination
 Rule 4: Associative law for summing
 Rule 5: Shifting a summing point before a block
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 Rule 6: Shifting a summing point after a block
 Rule 7: Shifting take-off point before a block
 Rule 8: Shifting take-off point after a block
 Rule 9: Shifting a summing point before a block
 Rule 10: Shifting a summing point after a block

Cascaded blocks
When several systems or control blocks are connected in cascaded manner, the transfer function
of the entire system will be the product of transfer function of all individual blocks. Here it also to
be remembered that the output of any block will not be affected by the presence of other blocks in
the cascaded system.[4]

Moving a summer beyond the block

Moving a summer ahead of block

Moving a pick-off ahead of block

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Moving a pick-off behind a block

Eliminating a feedback loop

The third topology is the feedback form. Let us derive the transfer function that represents the
system from its input to its output. The typical feedback system, shown in figure:

The steps to reduce the block diagram

- Reduce the series blocks.

- Reduce the parallel blocks

-Reduce minor feedback loops.

- As for as possible shift summing point to the left and take-off point to the right.

- Repeat the above steps till canonical form is obtained.

Rules for reduction of block diagram
Rule 1: If the blocks are in cascade then

Rule 2: if the blocks are in parallel then, the blocks are added or subtracted depending on the
summing point signal.

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Rule 3: Moving the take-off point after the block

Advantages of Block Reduction Technique

Though there are many other methods present to solve any complex block arrangements (seen in
the later posts), this block reduction rules often comes handy due to the following reasons:
1. With these block reducing shortcuts, you can easily break a complex LTI (linear time invariant)
control system into simple blocks and then reduce it to get the required output easily.
2. You can individually visualize the various components of any given complicated control system
easily, which can be helpful while analyzing any issue or to study separate parts of any LTI system.
Finally we reach the end of this wonderful (time consuming:-p) post. Block reduction technique is
one of the many (other methods discussed in later posts) methods available to deal with complex
block diagrams in Control System.[5]

Discussion

A block diagram is a direct, graphical illustration of a set of coupled, linear differential equations.
Each block describes a specific process within the system in terms of a transfer function.
Dimensionally, transfer functions can be ratios of interdisciplinary quantities. Input/output

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relationship is determined from a straight forward rearrangement of the block diagram. These
simple graphical manipulations may provide additional insight into the behavior of the
system. Thus it effectively portrays the interrelationship of distinct parts of the system. The block
diagram representation readily lends itself to the study of specific problems involving synthesis
and system optimization.

Conclusion

In this report we conclude that the Block diagrams can be simplified with the shifting rule and the
three basic rules with regard to the simplification of series/cascaded blocks, parallel blocks and a
general feedback loop without difficulty, as demonstrated by the illustrative examples. The
introduction of the new concept and the corresponding shifting rule greatly helps the simplification
of block diagrams and makes teaching the simplification of block diagrams a much easier task.

References
1. Mei, C., On teaching the simplification of block diagrams. International Journal of
Engineering Education, 2002. 18(6): p. 697-703.
2. Donald, C., Process systems analysis and control. McGraw-Hill Chemical Engineering
Series, 1965.
3. Nagrath, I., Control systems engineering. 2006: New Age International.
4. DiStefano, J.J., A.R. Stubberud, and I.J. Williams, Feedback and control systems. 2012:
McGraw-Hill Education.
5. Zhao, H. and J. Bentsman, Block diagram reduction of the interconnected linear time-
varying systems in the time-frequency domain. Multidimensional Systems and Signal
Processing, 2002. 13(1): p. 7-34.

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