MODULE III

BUMP TEST AND RESONANCE

1. Introduction
The machine natural frequency is a useful data to define machine’s operation speed, therefore
the natural frequency of a machine should be known before the machine is put in service. The
operation speed will be determined precisely to prevent resonance phenomenon occurs when the
machine is operating. The natural frequency of a machine can be found using several experiments,
such as bump test experiment and frequency response function experiment. In this module, students
will only perform the bump test experiment because this experiment is the simplest method for
evaluating the natural frequency of any system. Thus, the bump test experiment is the most
common method to be employed in the field.

2. Bump Test and Spectrum

Bump test experiment is performed by giving impact excitation force to the system and
measure vibration response signal at the same time. Normally, the bump test experiment data is
showed in a graph called spectrum (frequency domain) where the x-axis is frequency (Hz) and the
y-axis is the magnitude of vibration response signal. The following figure is an example of bump
test experiment data shown in spectrum.
Magnitude (G)

Frequency (Hz)
Figure 1. The example of bump test experiment data

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 Figure 1 shows two spectrum peaks which may indicate the natural frequency of the system.
The first spectrum peak occurs at 39 Hz, meanwhile, the second spectrum peak occurs at 154 Hz.
Therefore, the natural frequency of the system is predicted at 39 and 154 Hz. However, the bump
test experiment has several weaknesses, one of them is the magnitude of the vibration response
signal can vary according to the magnitude of the excitation force. The greater excitation force will
produce greater vibration response signal or vice versa.

3. Learning Objectives
• To perform and observe bump test experiment
• To find the natural frequency and mode shape of laboratory apparatus
• To learn and understand the resonance phenomenon

4. Procedure
• Observe the laboratory apparatus. Evaluate the type, quantity, and measurement direction of
every sensor attached on the equipment!
• Perform the bump test experiment with impact excitation force.
• Find natural frequency of the system and draw the vibration response spectrum.
• Predict the DC motor rotational speed which causes resonance phenomenon occurs.
• Install an unbalance mass on shaft 1 and operate the DC motor on the same speed as your
prediction. Does the resonance occur? Observe the mode shape!
• Install an unbalance mass on shaft 2 and operate the DC motor on the same speed as your
prediction. Does the resonance occur? Observe the mode shape!
• Install the unbalance mass on both shaft and operate the DC motor. What happens to the
laboratory apparatus? Give your conclusion!

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Student Worksheet – Bump Test Experiment
Name :
I. Complete the following schematic!
a. What is sensor type? Student ID :
Answer:
b. Locate the position of vibration sensor and excitation force! Draw it on the schematic!
c. Draw the measurement direction of vibration sensor and excitation force with an arrow symbol
on the schematic!
Notes: connect all the measurement elements with solid line as electrical cable representations
and don’t forget to put arrow symbol on the solid line to represent information direction.

Side view

Fix Support

Front view Power

supply

Data acquisition

Computer

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 II. List all the natural frequency obtained from the Bump Test experiment!
Natural Frequency (Hz)
𝑓n1 𝑓n2 𝑓n3 𝑓n4

First Excitation

Second Excitation

Third Excitation

III. Draw the spectrum obtained from Bump Test experiment!

IV. Observe the pulley ratio applied on the laboratory apparatus!

Calculate the pulley ratio between DC motor and shaft 1!
Answer:
Calculate the pulley ratio between DC motor and shaft 2!
Answer:

V. Install an unbalance mass on shaft 1 and operate the DC motor!

What is the DC motor speed such that the resonance phenomenon occurs?
Answer:

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 No RPMmotor 𝑓motor (Hz) 𝑓shaft 1 (Hz) Magnitudeshaft 1 (G)
1
2
3
4
5

VI. Install an unbalance mass on shaft 2 and operate the DC motor!

What is the DC motor speed such that the resonance phenomenon occurs?
Answer:
No RPMmotor 𝑓motor (Hz) 𝑓shaft 2 (Hz) Magnitudeshaft 2 (G)
1
2
3
4
5

VII. Install the unbalance mass on both shaft and operate the DC motor!
What is the DC motor speed such that the resonance phenomenon occurs?
Answer:
No RPMmotor 𝑓motor (Hz) 𝑓shaft 1 (Hz) Mag shaft 1 (G) 𝑓shaft 2 (Hz) Mag shaft 2 (G)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

VIII. Give your conclusion about Bump Test experiment and resonance phenomenon!
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