Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Doornfontein Campus

Torsional Vibration
By

T.J Mphahlele
219080587

A Semester lab Report submitted

in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the module.
Signature:

Mechanics of Machines 3A (MEMMIA3)

B. ENG TECH (BENG(TECH))

Engineering: Mechanical

LECTURER: Dr. F.K. Tekweme

Date: 30/04/2021
 Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology
for giving me the opportunity to conduct this lab and compile a report as a way of incorporating
theory into practice. I would like to further give thanks to the lecturer Dr. F.K. Tekweme, the
lab technician Mr. M. Ngcukayithobi and the module tutor Mr. M. Mphoka for providing the
necessary guidance, equipment, and information.

i
Table of Contents
1. Aim................................................................................................................... 1
2. Assumptions .................................................................................................... 1
3. Theory ............................................................................................................. 1
4. Apparatus ........................................................................................................ 3
5. Procedure ........................................................................................................ 4
6. Results .......................................................................................................... 5
7. Analysis of Results.......................................................................................... 5
8. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 8
9. References ........................................................................................................ 9
10. Appendices ..................................................................................................... 9
10.1. Recommendations ...................................................................................... 9

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Torsional vibration of single rotor at fixed ends ................................... 1

Figure 2A: HVT10 Torsional Vibration Apparatus .............................................. 3
Figure 2B: HVT10 Torsional apparatus ............................................................... 3
Figure 2C: HVT10 Torsional apparatus ............................................................... 4
Figure 3: Periodic time vs Square root of mass moment of inertia graph ............ 6

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Readings.................................................................................................. 5
Table 2: Results ..................................................................................................... 5

ii
 1. Aim
The aim of the experiment is as follows
• Determining the periodic time taken for torsional oscillation.
• Demonstrating the effect of the periodic time to the square root of the mass moment of
inertia.
• Determining the total torsional stiffness.

2. Assumptions
The theory was developed from the torsion equation in strength of materials. This theory was
then integrated with oscillation theory to produce the equation for the periodic time. The
following are the assumptions that were made during the development of the theory:
• Stresses in the shaft do not exceed the limit of proportionality.
• Stress and strain in the shaft vary linearly.
• Plane cross-section of the shaft remains unchanged after a certain angular displacement
[1].
• The shaft oscillates in simple harmonic motion.
• The mass of the rod is negligible [2].
• The disc is placed at the middle of the fixed supports.
• Gravitational effects are negligible.

3. Theory
The theory for torsional vibrations is as follows:

Rod

Rotor
L1

L2

Figure 1: Torsional vibration of single rotor at

fixed ends
1
Natural frequency of free torsional vibration:

𝐼
𝑡𝑝 = 2𝜋√
𝑞

𝑞 = 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠
𝐼 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 (𝑘𝑔𝑚2 )

𝐺𝐽
𝑞=
𝐿
𝐺 = 𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 = 84 𝑘𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
𝜋𝑑 4
𝐽 = 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑑 =
32
𝑑 = 𝑅𝑜𝑑 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 (𝑚)
𝐿 = 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ (𝑚)

Torsional stiffness for length L1:

𝐶𝐽
𝑞1 =
𝐿1
Torsional stiffness for the length L2:
𝐶𝐽
𝑞2 =
𝐿2
Total torsional stiffness:
𝑞 = 𝑞1 + 𝑞2

2
4. Apparatus
1. HVT10 Torsional vibration apparatus
2. Stopwatch

Rod
Upper support

Variable load hangers

Figure 2A: HVT10 Torsional Vibration

Apparatus

Cord and pulley

Ring

Disc

Rotating scale Magnetic pointer

Figure 2B: HVT10 Torsional apparatus

3
 Vertical pillar

Ring

Lower support
Split ring

Figure 2C: HVT10 Torsional apparatus

5. Procedure
1. The apparatus was setup as illustrated in figure 2C.
2. The magnetic pointer was adjusted to read 0° on the rotating scale.
3. A disturbing force was then applied to the chuck above the disc.
4. A stopwatch was then used to record the time taken to reach 20 oscillations.
5. The time taken was then recorded in table 1.
6. After 20 oscillations, the ring was then removed from the upper support and it was
placed on top of the disc.
7. Steps 2 – 5 were then repeated for the new configuration.
8. After 20 oscillations, the ring was then removed, and the split ring was then placed on
top of the disc.
9. Steps 2 – 5 were then repeated for the new configuration.
10. After 20 oscillations, the ring was then also added to the disc and spilt ring
configuration.
11. Steps 2 – 5 were then repeated for the new configuration.
12. All results were recorded in table 1.

4
 6. Results
Modulus of rigidity: G = 84 kN/mm2

Effective length: Le = 0.425 m

Disc diameter: D = 250 mm

Moment of inertia: Disc = 0.089

Ring = 0.049

Split ring = 0.097

Table 1: Readings

Mass moment of
Rotor No. of Oscillations (N) Time (s)
inertia (kgm2)

Disc 0,089 20 11
Disc + Ring 0,138 20 14
Disc + Spilt ring 0,186 20 16
Ring + Spilt ring + Disc 0,235 20 19

7. Analysis of Results
Table 2: Results
Polar
Modulus Total
Experimental Moment Effective Theoretical
√(I) of Torsional
periodic of length, Le periodic %Error
(√(kgm2)) Rigidity, stiffness,
time, tpe (s) Inertia, J (m) time, tp (s)
G (N/m2) q (Nm)
(m4)
4,998E-
0,298 0,55 8,4E+10 0,425 19,756 0,422 30,417
11
4,998E-
0,371 0,7 8,4E+10 0,425 19,756 0,525 33,299
11
4,998E-
0,431 0,8 8,4E+10 0,425 19,756 0,61 31,22
11
4,998E-
0,485 0,95 8,4E+10 0,425 19,756 0,685 38,63
11

5
 Periodic time vs √I
1,0
0,9
0,8
Periodic time, tp (s)

0,7 Theoretical periodic time

0,6
0,5 Experimental periodic time

0,4
Linear (Theoretical periodic
0,3 time)
0,2 Linear (Experimental periodic
0,1 time)

0,0
0,0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6
Sqaure root mass moment of inertia, √I (√(kgm^2))

Figure 3: Periodic time vs Square root of mass moment of inertia graph

Sample calculations

For Disc:
𝐼 = 0.089 𝑘𝑔𝑚2
𝑁 = 20
𝑡 = 11 𝑠
𝑡
𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑐 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑡𝑝𝑒 =
𝑁
11
𝑡𝑝𝑒 =
20
∴ 𝑡𝑝𝑒 = 0.55 𝑠/𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝜋𝑑 4
𝐽=
32
(𝜋)(0.00475)4
=
32
∴ 𝐽 = 4.998 × 10−11 𝑚4

6
 𝐿1 = 𝐿2 = 𝐿𝑒 = 0.425 𝑚
2𝐺𝐽
𝑞=
𝐿𝑒
(2)(84 × 109 )(4.998 × 10−11 )
=
0.425
∴ 𝑞 = 19.757 𝑁𝑚

𝐼
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑐 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑡𝑝 = 2𝜋√
𝑞

0.089
= 2𝜋√
19.757

∴ 𝑡𝑝 = 0.422 𝑠

|𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒|

%𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = × 100
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
0.422 − 0.55
= × 100
0.422
∴ %𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 30.33

7
 8. Conclusion
The experimental data collected was used to determine the results. The results obtained are
indicated in section 7. It is shown in figure 3 that the periodic time is directly proportional to
the square root of the mass moment of inertia. This agrees with theory as the mass moment of
inertia increases, it takes more time for the system to achieve the desired oscillations due to
more resistance. It is also shown that the percentage error is approximately in the range of 30
– 40. This might be because of human error that have occurred when the results were obtained.
The system was also placed in a vertical position and gravitational effects were neglected. This
also added to the error obtained in the calculations. Overused rods can also impact the results
significantly. In conclusion, the lab was conducted successfully, and the aim was achieved.

8
9. 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.

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