‫؛‬ CHAPTER

TWO
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‫إ‬ THEORY OF VIBRATIONS
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:

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2.1 GENERAL

Foi a propel understanding and appreciation of the different aspects of design

of foundations and soil stiuctures subjected to dynamic loads, it is necessary to
be familiar with the simple theoretical concepts of harmonic vibrations. Most of
the problems dealt with in subsequent chapters have been solved for the loads
acting harmonically This assumption is reasonably correct for machine founda-
‫إ‬ .
tions but for complicated motion this is not precisely the case The departure
from reality in such cases will be discussed in appropriate places

‫أ‬
I 22 DEFINITIONS
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Period If motion repeats itself in equal intervals of time, it is called a periodic
motion and the time elapsed in repeating the motion once is called its period
- Cycle Motion completed during a period is referred to as a cycle

Frequency The number of cycles of motion in a unit of time is called the

frequency ،
0 vibrations
Natural
‫؛‬
( inherent terjicncy 1 ( an elastic system vibrates under the action
in thC system and in the absence of any externally applied
of forces
force, the
frequency with which it vibrates is its natural frequency ) ١‫د‬