Mechanical vibration Work sheet-1

Mathematical modelling and assumption

1. An automobile moving over a rough road (Fig. 1.64) can be modeled considering (a)
weight of the car body, passengers, seats, front wheels, and rear wheels; (b) elasticity of
tires (suspension), main springs, and seats; and (c) damping of the seats, shock absorbers,
and tires. Develop three mathematical models of the system using a gradual refinement in
the modeling process.

Equivalent spring constant of the system

2. A machine of mass m is mounted on a simply supported steel beam of length l =2m

having a rectangular cross section (depth 0.1m, width 1.2m) and young’s modulus
E=2.06x1011N/m2. To reduce the vertical deflection of the beam, a spring of stiffness k is
attached at mid-span, as shown in Fig. 2. Determine the value of k needed to reduce the
deflection of the beam by 25 percent of its original value (Assume that the mass of the
beam is negligible).

3. Consider a system of two springs, with stiffnesses k1 and k2, arranged in parallel as shown
in Fig. below. The rigid bar to which the two springs are connected remains horizontal
when the force F is zero. Determine the equivalent spring constant of the system that
relates the force applied (F) to the resulting displacement (x) as: F=k e x

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 Mechanical vibration Work sheet-1

4. The static equilibrium position of a massless rigid bar, hinged at point O and connected
with springs k1 and k2, is shown in Fig. below. Assuming that the displacement (x)
resulting from the application of a force F at point A is small, find the equivalent spring
constant of the system, ke, that relates the applied force F to the displacement x as F = kex.

5. Find the equivalent spring constant and equivalent mass of the system shown in Fig.
below with references to θ. Assume that the bars AOB and CD are rigid with negligible
mass.

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 Mechanical vibration Work sheet-1

6. A bar of length L and Young s modulus E is subjected to an axial force. Compare the
spring
constants of bars with cross sections in the form of a solid circle (of diameter d), square
(of
side d) and hollow circle (of mean diameter d and wall thickness t=0.1d). Determine
which
of these cross sections leads to an economical design for a specified value of axial
stiffness
of the bar.
7. Figure below shows a three-stepped bar fixed at one end and subjected to an axial force F
at the other end. The length of step i is li and its cross-sectional area is Ai, i=1,2,3. All the
steps are made of the same material with Young’s modulus Ei=E, i=1,2,3.
a) Find the spring constant (or stiffness) of step i in the axial direction
b) Find the equivalent spring constant (or stiffness) of the stepped bar, in the axial direction
so that F = kex

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 Mechanical vibration Work sheet-1

8. Figure below shows a three-stepped shaft fixed at one end and subjected to a torsional
moment T at the other end. The length of step i is li and its diameter is Di, i=1,2,3. All the
steps are made of the same material with shear modulus Gi=D.
a) Find the torsional spring constant (or stiffness) of step kti of step i (i = 1, 2, 3)
b) Find the equivalent torsional spring constant (or stiffness) of the stepped shaft, kt eqv, so
that T =k t eqv θ

Equivalent Mass or Inertia Element (translations, rotation and translation)

9. In Fig. below, find the equivalent mass of the rocker arm assembly with respect to the x
coordinate

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 Mechanical vibration Work sheet-1

10. A simplified model of a petroleum pump is shown in Fig. below, where the rotary motion
of the crank is converted to the reciprocating motion of the piston. Find the equivalent
mass, meq, of the system at location A.