Coursework Assignment

6E5Z0005 Experimental Mechanics

This is an assignment for students on Level 5 (second year) of the following courses:

• MEng / BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

We hope that you enjoy doing this assignment. The aim of this assignment is to apply theories,
computer simulation techniques and experimental methods to determine the vibrational behaviour
of a structure. Excessive vibrations induced in structural members are the major causes of structural
failure. Cars, trains, airplanes, wind turbines and machinery are typical systems that experience high
levels of vibration during their operations. The knowledge, skills and experience of vibration analysis
are some core technical competence that is widely sought after in industry.

Links
The Moodle Support Page includes the support video, submission details and dropbox, answers to
frequently asked questions, and the latest version of this document.

Contacts
Lead Assessor: Naveed Ashraf

Technical Support: Stephen Moyle

Contents
Workflow................................................................................................................................................. 2
Task Description ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Task 1 ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Task 2: ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Task 3: ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Task 4: ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Assessment ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Formative Feedback ............................................................................................................................ 5
What is being assessed? ..................................................................................................................... 5
Assessment Grading Criteria ............................................................................................................... 6
Re-assessment ........................................................................................................................................ 7

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Coursework Assignment
6E5Z0005 Experimental Mechanics

Workflow

Task 1: Experimental Method
Investigate the free and forced
response of a vibrating system in
the time and frequency domains
using experimental methods.
Task 2: MATLAB Simulation
Analyse the response data of the
vibrating systems utilising MATLAB
software.
Task 3 (a) : Mathematical Modelling:
Theoretically model the cantilever
beam, which you have used in your
experiment, as one degree of freedom
system.

Task 3 (b): Mathematical Modelling Task 3 (c): Finite Element

using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory
• Calculate theoretically the first three
natural frequencies.
• Calculate and plot the mode shapes
associated with each of these natural
frequencies.
Modelling using SolidWorks Task 4: Final Report
Model the cantilever beam Write and submit an individual final
with/without added mass and report
extract the first three natural
frequencies and their associated
transverse mode shapes.

Plan a realistic schedule of work to complete this assignment on time and to a high standard.

Recommended deadlines to complete each sub-task:

This assignment is for 100% of the unit mark, and we expect you to spend up to 35-40 hours on it, in
total.

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Coursework Assignment
6E5Z0005 Experimental Mechanics

Task Description
Task 1 (a): Investigate the free response of a vibrating system in the time and frequency domains
using experimental method (Refer to Lab “Summative Lab: Investigating the Free/Forced response of a
vibrating system in the time and frequency domain”)
i. Investigate the time and frequency domain response of the cantilever beam when
perturbed (without the mass attached to the end of the beam).
ii. Attach the mass at the end of the beam and determine the damped natural frequency of
the cantilever beam 𝜔𝜔𝑑𝑑 .
Task 1 (b): Investigate the forced response of a vibrating system identifying natural frequencies
and associated mode shapes (Refer to Lab “Summative Lab: Investigating the Free/Forced response of a
vibrating system in the time and frequency domain”)
i. Perform a frequency sweep using the signal generator starting from 5Hz to 300Hz. As you
increase the frequency, determine the first three damped natural frequencies.
ii. Develop your understanding of the concepts of magnification factor - Perform a frequency
sweep from 1 Hz to three times the first damped natural frequency 𝜔𝜔𝑑𝑑1. Take regular
readings of frequency and accelerometer amplitude and recreate graph for magnification
factor.
Task 2: Analyse the response data of the vibrating systems utilising MATLAB software (Refer to Lab
“MATLAB for modelling, simulation & analysis”)
i. Identify the dominant damped natural frequencies and plot time and frequency domain
responses of cantilever beam with/without mass attached.
ii. Using the time domain response, determine the damping ratio 𝜁𝜁 using log decrement
method.
Task 3: Modelling the cantilever beam by mathematical formula and by finite element simulation
using an industry standard software such as SolidWorks.
a. Mathematical modelling of the cantilever beam: Theoretically model the cantilever beam,
which you have used in your experiment, as one degree of freedom system. You should
consult your lecture notes and tutorial examples regarding one degree of freedom
modelling and utilise your critical reasoning skills for analysing how to model these
systems. Calculate the natural frequency of the beam with/without mass attached.
b. Research Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and utilising the physical measurements of the
cantilever beam:
i. Calculate theoretically the first three natural frequencies of the beam.
ii. Calculate and plot the theoretical mode shapes (shape of structure as it vibrates)
associated with each of these natural frequencies.
c. Model the cantilever beam with/without added mass using SolidWorks and extract the
first three natural frequencies and their associated transverse mode shapes for the
cantilever beam (Refer to Lab “Frequency analysis using SolidWorks”).
Assumptions:
Where assume the beam is in a fixed-free constrained condition. You should also
utilise the following information:
E – Young’s modulus for mild steel – 210 GPa
ρ the density for the beam, for mild steel - 7850 kg/m3

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Coursework Assignment
6E5Z0005 Experimental Mechanics

Task 4: Write and submit an individual report

Report Content

You are required to submit an individual report for this assessment.

• Use 11 point type for the main body of the text
• Page Limits: no more than 10 pages

Report Structure and Style

Your report should have the following sections:

Table of contents

Introduction
• Outline the problem and what you are investigating
• State what you will do and keep this concise

Aim and Objectives

Aim – i.e. the overall purpose of the study, should be clearly and concisely defined

Objectives (these are subsidiary to aims)

• The steps to answer the aim or a list of tasks to achieve the goal
• Must be focussed, sensible and precisely described
• Address the immediate project outcomes
• Around 5 or 6 objectives should be enough

Methodology
• You should briefly details the methodology for the theoretical and computational modelling (e.g.
MATLAB, Mathematical calculations, SolidWorks).
• You should include relevant scientific theory including stating relevant equations

Results
• Basically present the output of the experiments, mathematical modelling, Euler beam theory and
F.E results
• Use the tables and figure captions below to help identify the correct content for your report. Aim
for a concise economical style
• Don’t mix results with discussion

Discussion and Conclusion

• Validation of the FE simulation results by comparing with the experimental and the analytical
results.
• Show relationship between the results and analysis, model or theory
• Draw together the most important results and their consequences
• List any reservations or limitations

References, if any

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Coursework Assignment
6E5Z0005 Experimental Mechanics

Assessment
Formative Feedback
Members of the teaching team and will answer queries about the assignment during the timetabled
Workshop classes and in the drop-in Surgery sessions (see your personal timetable for details).
Advice given during these sessions and feedback on any work you present will not count towards
your final grade.

Outside timetable sessions, please email questions to the Teaching Team, the Support Tutors or your
Personal Tutor. The teaching team will not use their office hours to provide one-to-one or small
group assignment support, but a selection of emailed questions, and questions asked during the
timetabled classes will be added to the assignment’s FAQs page.

What is being assessed?

Learning outcomes Evidence
Unit Learning Learning Outcome 3: process data • Collection of experimental data
Outcomes collected using standard equipment and in the Lab
transducers • Processing the data collected in
MATLAB
Learning Outcome 4: interpret and • F.E modelling using SolidWorks
validate the results of finite element • Validation of the FE simulation
models constructed using a commercial results by comparing with the
package experimental and the analytical
results
Assessment GLO1 Apply skills of critical analysis to real-world situations within a defined range of
Criteria contexts
GLO2 Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism characterised by initiative,
creativity, motivation and self-management
GLO3 Express ideas effectively and communicate information appropriately and
accurately using a range of media including ICT
GLO4 Find, evaluate, synthesise and use information from a variety of sources

To pass this assessment you have to fully achieve the unit learning outcomes by completing all the
tasks and submitting the two deliverables to an adequate standard.

Your grade will be determined by how well you meet the assessment criteria (see the detailed
grading criteria for this assignment, below).

This assignment will be marked out of 100.

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 Coursework Assignment
6E5Z0005 Experimental Mechanics

Assessment Grading Criteria

Deliverable
Report Report Report Report
→
Weighting
60% 20% 10% 10%
→
Apply skills of Express ideas effectively
Demonstrate a high degree of
critical analysis to and communicate
professionalism e.g. initiative,
Grade real world information appropriately Find, evaluate, synthesise and use
creativity, motivation,
range situations within a and accurately using a information from a variety of sources
professional practice and self
defined range of range of media including
management.
contexts ICT
You have There is evidence of your ability Your project is innovative and has been
evaluated and to work as a mature professional, Your work is presented designed, planned and carried out
solved problems, and that you are able to review creatively and fluently to meticulously to gather relevant information
86%-100% with original and your own work critically with a selected audience using from an appropriate range of primary and
insightful reference respect to appropriate a range of strategies and secondary sources. You have challenged the
to theory and professional standards and media. limits of established knowledge in your
practice. values. consideration of the results and/or outcomes.
You have There is evidence of your ability
Your project is innovative and has been
evaluated and to work as a mature professional,
Your work is presented designed, planned and carried out
solved problems, and that you are able to review
fluently to a selected meticulously to gather relevant information
70%-85% with insightful and your own work critically with
audience using a range of from an appropriate range of primary and
critical reference respect to appropriate
strategies and media secondary sources. You have brought critical
to theory and professional standards and
insight to your analysis.
practice. values.
You have analysed
There is evidence of your ability You have designed, planned and carried out
and solved
to work effectively and Your work is presented your project thoroughly to gather relevant
problems, with
competently with reference to coherently to a selected information from an appropriate range of
60%-69% clear critical
professional standards and audience using a range of primary and secondary sources. You have
reference to
values, and that you are able to strategies and media. evaluated your results and/or outcomes
theory and
reflect on your own practice thoroughly and critically.
practice.
You have analysed There is evidence of your ability
You have designed, planned and carried out
and solved to work confidently and Your work is presented
your project accurately using an appropriate
problems with competently with reference to clearly to a selected
50%-59% range of primary and secondary sources. You
reference to professional standards and audience using a range of
have evaluated your results and/or outcomes
theory and values, and that you are able to strategies and media.
carefully.
practice. reflect on your own practice
You have solved
There is evidence of your ability
problems with You have designed, planned and carried out
to work competently with Your work is presented to
some reference to your project using an appropriate range of
reference to professional a selected audience using
40%-49% theory and practice
standards and values, and that a range of strategies and
primary and secondary sources. You have
and with evidence evaluated your results and/or outcomes
you are able to reflect on your media.
of some critical accurately.
own practice
reflection.
There is insufficient evidence of
Your work is presented to You have designed, planned and carried out
You have your ability to work competently
a selected audience your project inadequately using an
approached with reference to professional
35%-39% problems haltingly standards and values, and that
haltingly or using a limited inappropriate range of primary and
range of strategies and secondary sources. You have only partially
or uncritically. you are able to reflect on your
media evaluated your results and/or outcomes.
own practice.
You have There is very limited evidence of
Your work is presented to Your project has been badly designed,
approached your ability to work competently
a selected audience planned and carried out using an
problems with with reference to professional
20%-34% little reference to standards and values, and that
haltingly and using a inappropriate range of primary and
limited range of strategies secondary sources, with very limited
theory and you are able to reflect on your
and media evaluation of the results and/or outcomes
practice. own practice
You have There is nor or almost no Your work is presented to
approached evidence of your ability to work a selected audience Your project is very badly designed, planned
problems with no competently with reference to incomprehensibly and and carried out using inappropriate sources.
0%-19% or almost no professional standards and using an unacceptable Your evaluation of the results and/or
reference to values, and that you are able to range of strategies and outcomes is wrong or unacceptable.
theory and practice reflect on your own practice. media

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Coursework Assignment
6E5Z0005 Experimental Mechanics

Re-assessment
Note that opportunities to repeat assignments are not automatically provided, and when they are,
the marks obtained may be capped. For more information about the regulations, please contact the
Student Hub.

If you think you are at risk of failing this assignment, please seek advice as soon as possible form
your Personal Tutor or the Support Tutors – with enough notice, there are many ways in which we
can support you and help you to get back on track.

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