Department of Mechanical Engineering

Experiment No. 7
TITLE: - Shock Absorber Testing

AIM: To perform experiment on shock absorbers and to plot its characteristic curve.

THEORY:
The shock absorber is a suspension system which designed mechanically to control shock
impulse and dissipate kinetic energy. It reduces the amplitude of disturbances leading to
increase in comfort and improved ride quality. Shock absorber minimizes the effect of
traveling on a rough ground. The primary function of the suspension system is to isolate the
vehicle structure from shocks and vibration due to irregularities of the road surface. The
Suspension system is used to support weight, absorb and dampen road shock, and help
maintain tire contact as well as proper wheel to chassis relationship. A shock
absorber or damper absorbs and damp shock impulses by converting shock energy into heat
energy.
The basic set-up consists of Motor of 3HP (1038W), Reduction Gear Box with
appropriate gear ratio to obtain desired speed, eccentric mechanism , reciprocating
connecting rod , fixtures and control panel. Depending upon the stroke requirement it is
possible to adjust the stroke by adjusting eccentricity. The shock absorber under test is
clamped on the fixtures mounted on the reciprocating connecting rod. The control panel
attached to the main setup consists of a peak hold indicator, which facilitates direct reading of
tension and compression values of the resistance offered by the shocker under test. RPM
indicator and Counter are provided with the setup that shows the no of strokes at the set
RPM.
The ratio of transmitted force to the input force is called transmissibility (T.R.). The
transmissibility is a function of frequency ratio. For minimum transmissibility (maximum
isolation), the excitation frequency should be as high above the natural frequency as possible.

F 1 + (2ξr)
T. R. = =
F (1 − r ) + (2ξr)

Where = and r =

Mechanical Vibrations Lab Manual Prepared By Prof. Chavan A.G.

 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Component Description:
1. Base Stand: The base stand is made up of M.S. C-channel & sheets. This is painted
specially with Powder coating for durability. All equipments are mounted on Base
stand.
2. Motor: 1440 RPM, 3 phase Motor used for mechanical power supply.
3. Gear box: Motor shaft is coupled to inline helical gear box. The gear box is used to
obtain required rotational speed at the cam shaft. The gear box of following
specification is used. Bonfiglioli make of Model: AS35 P 15.37 P100 B5B3, standard,
hollow input and solid output, without motor. Horizontal foot mounted, Gear ratio:
15.37/1, Output rpm: 92, Torque: 218 Nm, Safety factor: 1.8, Input Frame: 100,
Suitable for 2.2 kW / 3 HP, 3 Phase, 1400 rpm.
Crank shaft: It is a mechanical part able to perform a conversion from rotational
motion to reciprocating motion.
4. Ram: It is a mechanical part which is used to apply force on the shock absorber.
5. Timer & Counter: This is an electronic device used to count the no. of revolutions.
This also having the facility of setting the revolutions at which the system should
stop. Operational guidelines are explained in chapter no 13.
6. VFD (Variable Frequency Drive): 3 phase, Make- Emotron VFD is used to regulate
RPM of the motor. Guidelines to operate the VFD is explained in chapter no 10.
7. Load Cell: ‘S’ type load cell is used to measure the load transmitted by the shock
absorber. Measured load is indicated on the load indicator provided on the panel.
8. Shock absorber (specimen) : There are three different shock absorbers of different
specifications.

Mechanical Vibrations Lab Manual Prepared By Prof. Chavan A.G.

 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Shock Absorber Test Rig

(Students should draw 2 dimensional schematic diagram)
Procedure:
1. Initially start the motor and set the RPM of the motor using VFD (Variable
Frequency Drive).
2. Calculate the Impressed force to the specimen using formulae given in the
calculation procedure.
3. Note down the transmitted force using the load indicator, Load cell is
attached at the top of the shock absorber.
4. Calculate the linear velocity with which shock absorber displacement occurs
as per the calculation procedure.
5. Calculate the transmissibility of shock absorber which is given as the ratio of
transmitted force to impressed force.
6. Note down the above values in the observation table.
7. Increase the motor RPM and repeat the procedure described in points 2-6 to
get data at variable speed.
 Department of Mechanical Engineering

8. If required we can make the changes in the stroke length of the shock
absorber and analyze the above parameters.
9. Perform the experiment using different speed settings.

Observation Table:

Sr. Impressed
Transmitted Force, Transmitted Force, Velocity
No. RPM Force, T.R.= F2/F1
(kg) (N), F2=KgX9.81 (m/s)
F1 (N)

Impressed Force calculation

Motor power = 3 HP = 3X746 = 2238 W

Power=

T =………… Nm

Now, Torque, T = Force (F1) X Cam radius(r)

T = F1 X r……… (Cam radius is ___ mm, which can be varied)
F1 =……………N

Linear velocity calculation (V)

Linear Velocity (V) = radius of cam (r) X angular velocity (ω)

But, angular velocity (ω) =

(ω) = …………rad/sec

Linear Velocity (V) = (r) X (ω)

Mechanical Vibrations Lab Manual Prepared By Prof. Chavan A.G.

 Department of Mechanical Engineering

(V) = …………… m/sec

Transmissibility Ratio (T.R.)

It is the ratio of transmitted force (F2) to impressed force (F1)
T.R. =F2/F1
Transmitted force can be read with the load cell indicator directly.

Conclusion:
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Mechanical Vibrations Lab Manual Prepared By Prof. Chavan A.G.