Basics of Vibration:

Measurement And Analysis

Jitamitra Electro Engineering Pvt. Ltd.

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April 15, 2023

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I. Introduction
Vibration is the state of an object moving repetitively to/fro, right/left, up/down
and is generally expressed by frequency, displacement, velocity, acceleration.
Rotating machinery produces vibration during its normal operation due to e ect
of friction and centrifugal forces of the rotating parts and the bearings. Vibration
can be measured, recorded, and in most cases even heard. We specify vibration
as a repetitive movement around a point of equilibrium expressed by its variation
in amplitude and frequency. Both the amplitude and the frequency are used for
required analysis.

Widely used process equipment such as pumps, compressors and mixers, rely
on rotation of an impeller/ rotor attached to a drive element (motor). In a perfectly
balanced machine, all rotating parts rotates in the concentric centerline and all
forces are equal. However, imperfection always exist and results in some
unbalance which can cause vibration. Other imperfections such as misalignment,
looseness may also create vibration.

The combination of all unbalance forces and the sti ness and damping of the
impeller/rotor support system (including bearings and bearing pedestal)
determine the vibration of the machine. Impeller/rotor support sti ness is
important because unbalance forces from di erent sources can avert rotating
parts from their centerline; sti ness somewhat resists the de ection.
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To keep all dynamic forces within limit and practically in balance requires a clear
understanding of the mechanical movement of the machine and its component,
including all involved forces. These is the basic for vibration analysis.

II. Principal of Vibration

Vibration is the state of an object moving repetitively to/fro, right/left, up/down
and is generally expressed by frequency, displacement, velocity, acceleration.
These are denoted by F, D, V, A.
1. Frequency:- vibrating objects generates a repetitive motion per second and
it is measured in Hz.

2. Displacement:- amplitude between the peaks of vibration and is measured

in μm, mm.

3. Velocity:- changing rate of displacement (D) with respect to time and is

measured in mm/s, cm/s.

4. Acceleration:- changing rate of velocity (V) with respect to time and is

measured in m/s2, g.

III. Measurement Functions

1. Peak (Peak amplitude)

Peak value in a certain time duration. It is used to measure shocks or waves

which are quite stable.

V (Peak) = |v(t)| max

2. RMS (Root Mean Square Value)

It is the instantaneous values in a certain time duration. It relates to the power of

the wave. The RMS value of velocity is one of the important factor for machine
status diagnosis.
3. C · F (Peak Factor · Crest Factor)

Peak to RMS ratio.

It is used to determine deterioration of bearings by relative comparison.

C · F = Peak/ RMS
4. EQP (Equivalent Peak Value)
It is a sine peak assumed by the RMS value.
For Sine wave, the relationship rms x √2 = Peak is valid.

For a vibration monitoring system, there is a case that EQP is monitored instead
of the peak value avoiding to trigger the erroneous alarm by any accidental
signal.

IV. Types of Vibration

Vibration can be divided into three types based on human perceptions; "slow
motion and visible", "invisible but sensible by touching" and "insensible by
touching, but audible as abnormal noise".

Perception :- 1. Watching 2. Touching 3. Listening

1. Comparison between displacement, velocity and acceleration in human

sensitivity.

2. The function (displacement, velocity or acceleration) positioned highest is

most sensible.
3. Objects of measurement.
V. Selection of measuring points
1. Ease of access
2. Minimum impact from external condition

3. Maximum sensitivity to abnormal condition

4. Minimum signal loss by abnormalities

5. Reliability of measurement

VI. Method for xing sensors

Attaching sensors incorrectly may cause dispersion of data or inaccurate
measurements. Please take care of following points

1. Place or attach rmly

2. Make all mount surface adhere closely

3. Align vertically or horizontally to the axis of the object.

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VII. Methods of Measurement
There are two types of vibration measurement methods;

1. Permanent online vibration monitoring system

Machinery that is important, operates constantly, cannot be approached and
deteriorates quickly.

2. Portable o -line monitoring system

Machinery that is minimal impact from breakdown, easy to be measured and

deteriorates slowly.

VIII. Vibration Analysis

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Vibration Analysis is speci ed as the technique of measuring vibration to identify
abnormality in industrial machinery using FFT.

Vibration analysis helps to identify almost all the defect that a machine can
obtain. The following are the most common defects that vibration analysis helps
to identify;

1. Imbalance

2. Bearing Failures

3. Mechanical Looseness

4. Misalignment

5. Resonance and natural frequencies

6. Bent shaft

7. Gearbox failures
8. Cavitation
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9. Critical Speeds

IX. FFT (Fast Fourier Transform)

FFT is one of the method used for vibration analysis, Generally, waveforms are
complicated and di cult to analyze. FFT is used to calculate spectrum from a
time waveform. In FFT, waveforms are break down into a series of discrete sin
waves and evaluate each individually. FFT converts a signal from the time domain
into the frequency domain.
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References:

1. https://www.wikipedia.com

2. https://www.imv.co.jp/e/pr/vibration_measuring/chapter03/

3. https://www.vi-institute.org/vibration-analysis-training-courses/

4. https://www.erbessd.com