MECN3027 – Mechanical Vibrations

Name: Student No:

Assignment 7 – Impulse (20 marks)

A single DOF system consists of a mass m = 25 kg, sup-

F(t) ported on a spring of stiffness k N/m and damper c Ns/m.
The system is critically damped. It experiences an initial
Impulse such that F(t) = 15δ (t). The damper and spring
are designed such that the mass has a maximum displace-
m S.E. ment xmax = 0.2 m after the application of the impulse.
x(t) (a) Determine the initial velocity of the mass, and alge-
k c braic expressions for the displacement x(t) and veloc-
ity ẋ(t) of the mass.

(b) Determine the natural frequency ωn and hence the

spring stiffness k and damping constant c.

(c) At t = 1.5 s a second impulse of magnitude I2 = 5 Ns occurs. Write down an algebraic equation
for the total system response x(t) (which takes into account both impulses), and derive an
algebraic equation for the velocity of the mass ẋ(t). Use a table to determine the time t when
the velocity changes sign (and therefore when the maximum displacement occurs after the
second impulse). Show at least 5 iterations, and resolve t to 4 decimal places. Hence determine
the maximum displacement of the mass and whether it is still within the 0.2 m limit.