Some Singularities in Mechanical

Engineering Computations.

Mir Aamir Abbas

 Singularities
• A singularity is a point in the mathematical
field where the mathematical function is not
well behaved or well defined (ex.) the value
becomes infinity or indeterminate.
• We some times encounter singularities and
their resolutions can be quite interesting and
some times critical.
 Singularities in engineering
• Singularities are often encountered in
engineering although the term is not very
popular in the engineering community

• Singularities often have subtle meanings and

implications on the physics of the problem
being addressed.
Some singularities in computational
engineering
Forced Vibrations of spring-mass system
Amplitude of vibration =
static deflection x Dynamic amplification
factor (DAF)

Where,
1
DAF = ω = frequency of excitation

1−
n ωn is the natural frequency
1
= k
1− r 2 = m

The function DAF has a

singularity at r =1
 Explanation
• The assumptions used to derive the
expression become invalid at r=1, hence it
cannot be used for these calculations.
 Some singularities in computational
engineering
• Heat exchangers
• LMTD = TA − TB
ln TA − ln TB

Where,
• ∆TA = temperature difference at end A
• ∆TB = temperature difference at end B
0
• When ∆TA = ∆TB , LMTD =
0
• ie there is a singularity at that point
 Explanation
• There is no need to use nor is it applicable to
use log mean temperature if the temperature
difference at both ends is the same.
 Some singularities in computational
engineering
• Massless bodies
As per Newton’s second law of
Spring (massless) motion,
F = m.a
Where,
F is force
m is the mass
a is the acceleration caused

For spring, m = 0
a = F/m = ∞
When both F=0 and m = 0,
a is indeterminate
 Explanation
• Newtons laws of motion are not applicable to
Massless bodies.
Some singularities in computational
engineering

Linear elastic
fracture mechanics
a
As → 0,  → 
b
r 2b
Stress intensity factor,
K =  2.r As r → 0

KI becomes indeterminate
in this form since it is ∞x 0.
Hence, a modified form of
this expression is used for
calculation
 Explanation
• The expression is not valid at the crack-tip
where the stress intensity factor is
indeterminate but a generalised expression
gives the value of the stress intensity factor as
σ.√(π.a)
 REFERENCES
[1] A.G. Ambekar, mechanical vibrations and Noise Engineering, PHI learning private
limited, 2013

[2] Tirupathi r chandrupatla et al, Introduction to Finite Elements in engineering, Pearson

education,2006

[3] Nitin s Gokhale et al.,Practical finite Element Analysis, Finite to infinite publishers, 2008

[4] S.Domkundwar et al., A course in Heat and mass Transfer,DHANPAT RAI &
SONS,Delhi,1993

[5] Prashant Kumar, ELEMENTS OF FRACTURE MECHANICS, McGraw Hill Education(India)

Private limited,2009

[6] Joseph Shigley, Machine design,McGraw Hill, 1956

[7] Wikipedia,Internet.
• Thank you