Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Doornfontein Campus

Torsional Vibration
By

S. Matebese
220069011

A Semester lab Report submitted

in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the module.
Mechanics of Machines 3A (ME
MMIA3)

B. ENG TECH (BENG(TECH))

Engineering: Mechanical

LECTURER: Dr. F.K. Tekweme

Date: 10/04/2023
Acknowledgements

I would like to give special thanks to the Department of Mechanical and Industrial
Engineering Technology for allowing me to run this lab and write a report as a method to
put theory into reality.I would like to further give thanks to the lecturer Dr. F.K.
Tekweme, the lab technician Mr. Tlali and the module tutors for providing the necessary
guidance, equipment, and information.
Aim
The aim of this experiment goes as follows:

• the Calculating periodic time required for torsional oscillation.

• Showing the relationship between periodic time and the square root of a mass
moment of inertia.
• Calculating overall total torsional stiffness.

Assumptions
The hypothesis evolved from the torsion equation in material strength. This theory
was subsequently combined with oscillation theory to develop the periodic time
equation. The following are the assumptions that were made during the theory's
development: -

• Shaft stresses do not exceed the proportionality limit.

• The shaft's stress and strain vary linearly.

• The shaft's plane cross-section remains unaltered after a given angular displacement
[1].

• The shaft moves in a simple harmonic motion.

• The rod's bulk is insignificant [2].

• The disc is positioned in the center of the permanent supports.

• The effects of gravity are negligible.

1. Theory

The theory foe torsional vibrations is as follows :

Figure 1: Torsional vibration of single rotor at fixed ends

Natural frequency of free torsional vibration:
t
p=2 π
√ I
q

q = Torsional stiffness

I = Mass moment of inertia (kgm 2 ¿

GJ
q=
L

G = Modulus of Rigidity for the rod material ¿ 84 kN /mm2

 4
πd
J = Polar moment of inertia of the rod¿
32

d = Rod diameter (m)

L = Effective length (m)

Torsional stiffness for Length L1 :

CJ
q 1=
L1

Torsional stiffness for the Length L2 :

CJ
q 2=
L2

Total Torsional stiffness:

q=q 1+q2

2. Apparatus
1. HVT10 Torsiona vibration apparatus
2. Stopwatch
Figure 2: HVT10 Torsional Vibration

Figure 3: HVT10 Torsional apparatus

 Figure 4: HVT10 Torsional apparatus

3. Procedure

1. The equipment was set up as shown in figure 2C.

2. The magnetic pointer was set to zero degrees on the rotating scale.

3. The chuck above the disc was then subjected to a disruptive force.

4. A timer was then used to time how long it took to attain 20 oscillations.

5. The time spent was then entered into table 1.

6. The ring was taken from the upper support and placed on top of the disc after 20
oscillations.

7. For the new setup, steps 2 up to 5 were repeated.

8. The ring was removed after 20 oscillations, and the split ring was placed on top of
the disc.

9. For the new setup, steps 2 up to 5 were repeated.

10. The ring was then placed to the disc and spilt ring configuration after 20
oscillations.

11. For the new setup, steps 2 up to 5 were repeated.

12. Table 1 contains all the results.

4. Results

Modulus of rigidity: G = 84 kN / mm2

Effective length: Le =0.425 m

Disk diameter: D =250 mm

Moment of Inertia : Disk = 0.089

Ring =0.049

Split ring = 0.097

 Table 1: Table of readings

Mass
moment of No. of
Rotor Time (s)
inertia Oscillations
(kgm^2)
Disc 0.089 20 15
Disc + Ring 0.138 20 19
Disc + Spilt ring 0.186 20 22
Ring + Spilt ring +
0.235 20 25
Disc

5. Analysis of Results

Table 2: Table of readings

Modulus Polar
Total
Experimental of momen Effective Theoretical
√(I) torsional
periodic rigidity, t of length, periodic %Error
(√(kgm^2)) stiffness,
time, tpe (s) G inertia, Le (m) time, tp (s)
q (Nm)
(N/m^2) J (m^4)
4.998E-
0.298 0.750 8.40E+10 0.425 19.756 0.422 77.842
11
4.998E-
0.371 0.950 8.40E+10 0.425 19.756 0.525 80.905
11
0.431 1.100 8.40E+10 4.998E- 0.425 19.756 0.610 80.428
 11
4.998E-
0.485 1.250 8.40E+10 0.425 19.756 0.685 82.408
11

Periodic time vs √I
1.400
1.200
Periodic time, tp (s)

1.000
0.800
0.600
0.400
0.200
0.000
0.250 0.300 0.350 0.400 0.450 0.500
Sqaure root mass moment of inertia, √I (√(kgm^2))

Theoretical periodic time Linear (Theoretical periodic time)

Experimental periodic time Linear (Experimental periodic time)

Graph 1: Periodic time vs Square root of mass moment of inertia graph

Sample calculations

For Disc:
2
I =0.089 kg m

N=20

t =15 s

t
Experiemental periodic time , t pe =
N
 15
t pe=
20

∴ t pe =0.75 s /oscillation

π d4
J=
32

(π )(0.00475)4
¿
32
−11 4
∴ J =4.998× 10 m

L1=L2=Le =0.425 m

2GJ
q=
Le

( 2 ) ( 84 ×109 ) ( 4.998× 10−11 )

¿
0.425

∴ q=19.757 Nm

Theoretical periodic time , t p =2 π

√ I
q

¿2π
√ 0.089
19.757

∴ t p =0.422 s

|Theoretical value−Experiemental value|

%Error= × 100
Theoeretical value

0.422−0.75
¿ × 100
0.422

∴ %Error=77.73
6. Conclusion

The acquired experimental data was used to determine the outcomes. Section 7
displays the acquired results. Graph 1 shows that the periodic time is directly
proportional to the square root of the mass moment of inertia. This is consistent with
theory: when the mass moment of inertia increases, the system takes longer to attain
the required oscillations due to increased resistance. It is also demonstrated that the
percentage error is in the 70-80 range which is extremely not good. This could be due
to human error during the results generation process. The system was also mounted
vertically, and gravity effects were ignored. This also contributed to the calculating
inaccuracy. Excessive use of rods.
7. References

[1] Drotsky, J. (©2011). Strength of Materials for Technicians (4th edition). Cape
Town: Pearson.

[2] Khurmi, R.S. and Gupta, J.K. (©2005). Theory of Machines. New Dehli: S. Chand
& Co. Ltd.

8. Recommendations
9. It is recommended that an automatic or sensing mechanism be used for the timing
of the oscillations.
10. It also recommended that a digital measuring device be used to measure the
number of oscillations.