Mechanical Vibrations

A body is said to vibrate if it has a ‘To’ & ‘Fro’ motion.

Usually Vibrations are due to elastic forces. Whenever a body
is displaced from its equilibrium position, work is done on
the body and is stored as ‘Elastic strain energy’.
Now, if the body is released, the internal forces cause the
body to move towards its equilibrium position.
If the motion is frictionless, the strain energy stored in the
body is converted into ‘kinetic energy’ which will attain
maximum value by the time the body reaches the
equilibrium position.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 As the body passes through the mean position,
the kinetic energy is utilized to overcome the
elastic forces and is stored as strain energy and so
on.
In this way vibratory motion is repeated at
regular intervals of time.
Examples of vibratory motion:
Spring mass system, Pendulum, Machines mounted on
unsound foundations, Musical instruments, etc.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Causes of vibrations
1. Unbalance centrifugal forces in the machine caused due to non
uniform material distribution in a rotating machine element.

2. Dry friction due to surfaces in relative motion, which produces

self excited vibrations.

3. External excitations (which may be periodic or random) applied

on the system.

4. Earth quakes, which may lead to failure of buildings, dams, etc.

5. Winds, which cause the vibration of transmission & telephone

lines.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
• The effect of vibrations are excessive stresses, undesirable noise,
looseness of part and partial or complete failure.
• Vibrations in most cases are undesirable, but in some applications
it is desirable & useful. Some such cases are Musical instruments,
Vibrating screens, Shakers, Stress relieving, etc.
The undesirable vibrations can be eliminated or reduced to certain
extent by the following methods;
• Removing external excitation, if possible.
• Placing machinery on proper type of isolators.
• Using shock isolators.
• Dynamic vibration absorbers
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Definitions
Periodic Motion: A motion which repeats itself at
regular intervals of time.

Time period: Time taken to complete one cycle.

Frequency: Number of cycles per unit time.

Amplitude: The maximum displacement of a

vibrating body from its equilibrium position.

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Mechanical Vibrations
• Natural frequency: When no external force acts on
the system after giving it an initial displacement, the
body is said to undergo ‘Free Vibrations’. The
frequency of such vibrations is called ‘Natural
frequency’ expressed in rad/sec or cycles/sec (Hz).

• Fundamental mode of vibration: The fundamental

mode of vibration is the mode having lowest natural
frequency.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Mechanical Vibrations
Degrees of Freedom: The minimum number of
independent co ordinates required to specify the
motion of a system at any instant is known as
degrees of freedom of the system.

In general it is equal to the number of

independent displacements that are possible.
This number varies from zero to infinity.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 A mass supported by a spring and constrained
to move in one direction without rotation is an
example of a single dof system.
X
Spring Mass System

A simple pendulum oscillating in one plane is

also a single degree of freedom system.


Simple pendulum
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 

Crank slider mechanism

A crank slider mechanism is also a single degree of

system since only the crank angle is sufficient to
define the system completely.

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 
X

x1

x2

On the other hand, a spring supported rigid mass which can move
in the direction of the spring & can also have angular motion has
two degrees of freedom.
A two-mass, two-spring system constrained to move in one
direction without rotation has also two d.o.f.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
A flexible beam between two supports has an infinite
number of degrees of freedom.
Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
• The motion of a body to & fro about a fixed point is
called ‘Simple harmonic motion’.

• The motion is periodic and its acceleration is always

directed towards the mean position & proportional to its
distance from theDr mean position.
P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
Simple harmonic motion (SHM)

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Simple harmonic motion (SHM)

Simple Pendulum Spring-Mass System

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
Damped vibrations: When the energy of a vibrating
system is gradually dissipated by friction and other
resistances, the vibrations are said to be damped.
The system restores its equilibrium with passage of
time.

Forced Vibrations: When a repeated force acts on the

system at regular intervals of time, the system is
forced to vibrate with the frequency of the external
force. Such vibrations are called ‘Forced vibrations’.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
Resonance: When the frequency of external
excitation (force) becomes equal to the natural
frequency of the vibrating system, a state of
resonance is said to have been reached.

Resonance results in large amplitudes of vibrations

and must be avoided.

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
Continuous & Discrete systems:
Most mechanical systems (consisting of mass,
stiffness & damping) have infinite degrees of
freedom. Such systems are called ‘continuous’ or
‘distributed’ systems.
Ex: Cantilever, Simply supported beam, etc.

Systems with finite degrees of freedom are called

‘Discrete’ or ‘lumped’ systems.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Types of Vibration
Some of the important types of vibration are as follows:
1)Free & Forced Vibrations: When no external force acts on
the body after giving it an initial displacement, it is said to be
free vibration.
Ex: Oscillation of a simple pendulum, Spring mass system
When the body vibrates under the influence of external force
then the body is said to be under forced vibration.
Ex: Machine tools, electric bells, etc.

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 2) Linear & Non linear vibrations:
If in a vibrating system, the mass, spring & damper behave
in a linear manner, the vibrations are known as linear in
nature. Such vibrations are governed by linear differential
equations & follow principle of superposition.

Mathematically, if a1 is the solution of the eqn mx  cx  kx  F1 (t )

and a2 is the solution of the equation mx  cx  kx  F2 (t ),

Then, (a1  a2 ) is the solution of the eqn mx  cx  kx  F1 (t )  F2 (t ).

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
3) Damped and Undamped Vibrations:
If the vibratory system has a damper, it opposes the
motion of the system and the energy of the system will be
dissipated in friction. This type of vibration is known as
damped vibration.

On the contrary, the system having no damper is known as

undamped vibration.

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
3) Deterministic and Random Vibrations:
If in a vibrating system, the amount of external excitation
is known in magnitude, it causes deterministic vibrations.

If the magnitude of external excitation is unknown, but

the averages and deviations are known, it is said to cause
Random vibrations.

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
4) Longitudinal, Transverse & Torsional Vibrations:
When the particles of the elastic shaft or disc moves
parallel to the axis of the shaft, it is said to execute
longitudinal vibrations.

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
When the particles of the elastic shaft or disc moves
approximately perpendicular to the axis of the shaft, it is
said to execute transverse vibrations.

m
L
L d
If the shaft gets twisted and untwisted

I
on account of vibratory motion of the
suspended disc, it is said to execute
Torsional vibrations.
  Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Ordinate
Acceleration x Velocity x

   Displacement x

t+

 A t
+
t
 Abscissa

2
 A

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Numerical problems
1) The motion of a particle is x=5sin(t). Show the
displacement, velocity & acceleration vectors when (i) 0.5
rad/sec (ii) 1 rad/sec & (iii)  rad/sec.
Solution : x  5sin t.
 
Then its velocity x  5 cos(t )  5 sin  t  
 2
Acceleration x  5 2 sin(t )  5 2 sin t   
 The maximum values of displacement, velocity &
acceleration vectors are 5, 5 & 5 2 respectively.

The velocity vector leads the dispacement vector by
2
& the acceleration Drvector leads
P R Venkatesh dispacement vector by  .
theRVCE
Mech Dept
Bangalore
(i) When  = 0.5 rad / sec & t = 0 :
xmax  5 units, xmax  (5  0.5)  2.5 units & xmax  5(0.5) 2  1.25 units
(ii) When  = 1 rad / sec & t = 0 :
xmax  5 units, xmax  (5 1)  5 units & xmax  5(1) 2  5 units
(iii) When  = 2 rad / sec & t = 0 :
xmax  5 units, xmax  (5 12)  10units & xmax  5(2) 2  20 units
Velocity Velocity
Velocity
2.5
5 10

  

  
1.25 5 5 5 20 5
Acceleration Displacement Acceleration Displacement Acceleration Displacement

 0.5  .0

 1.0

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Numerical problems
2) A harmonic motion has a frequency of 10 Hz and its
maximum velocity is 2.5 m/sec. Determine its amplitude,
period & maximum acceleration.
Given : f  10 HZ , xmax  2.5 m / sec, find A, T & xmax
Solution : Circular frequency   2 f  2 10  62.832rad / sec
1 1
Time period T=   0.1 sec
f 10
Let x  A sin t be the harmonic motion.
Then its velocity x   A cos(t )  xmax   A
i.e. 2.5=62.832  A ∴ Amplitude of motion A = 0.0398 m
Also, acceleration x   2 A sin(t )  xmax   2 A
 Maximum Acceleration x max 
Dr P R Venkatesh
 (62.832) 2
Mech Dept RVCE
 0.0398   157.12 m / sec 2

Bangalore
 Addition of two harmonic motions
When two harmonic motions of same frequency and
different amplitudes are added, the resultant motion is also
a simple harmonic motion.
Let there be two motions x1  A1 sin t & x2  A2 sin(t   )

By adding the above, let the resultant motion be x  A sin(t   )

i.e. Asin(ωt + θ) = A1 sinωt + A2 sin(ωt +  )

Expanding both LHS & RHS using trigonometric formulae,

A sin t cos   cos t sin    A1 sin t  A 2 sin t cos   cos t sin  

( A cos  ) sin t  ( A sin  ) cos t  ( A1  A2 cos  ) sin t  ( A2 sin  ) cos t

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Addition of two harmonic motions
Equating the coefficients of sin t & cos t ,

A cos   ( A1  A2 cos  ) & A sin   A2 sin 

Squaring & adding the above terms, we get,

A 2 (cos 2 +sin 2 )  ( A12  A22 cos 2   2 A1 A2 cos  )  A22 sin 2 

 A= A12 + A22 + 2A1 A2 cos
Also dividing the two terms,
A sin  A2 sin  -1  A2 sin 
 tan    θ = tan  
A cos  A1  A2 cos   A1 + A2 cos 
where  is the angleDrbetween the resultant
P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
x & vector x1
Bangalore
Addition of two harmonic motions (Graphical approach)




1




t


Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Numerical problems :
1) Add the harmonic motions 4cos(ωt + 10 0 ) & 6sin(ωt + 60 0 )analytically
& check the solution graphically.
Analytical Solution : Converting cosine term to sine term,
4 cos(t  100 ) = 4sin(t  100  900 ) = 4sin(ωt + 100 0 )
Let x1  6sin(t  600 ) & x2  4sin(t  100 0 )
Here, A1  6, A2  4, Phase difference   (100  60)  400
Amplitude of resultant motion :
A  A12  A22  2 A1 A2 cos   62  42  (2  6  4 cos 400 )  9.42 units
Phase angle between x1 & resultant vector :
 A sin    4sin 40 0

  tan -1  2
  tan -1
   15.84 0

 A1  A2 cos    6  4 cos 40 
0

As x1 makes 600 with reference axis, total angle of resultant  (60  15.84)  75.840
 The resultant harmonic motion is x = 9.42sin(ωt + 75.84 0 )
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Graphical solution to Prob 1
• Draw 6 units at 600 to horizontal to
x
represent vector x1.
• Then draw 4 units at 1000 to reference
A=9.42
axis to represent vector x2.

x1
• Then complete the parallelogram and

x2 join the diagonal.

6
• The length of the diagonal represents
100
76°

°
4 the amplitude of resultant and angle of
60°

the resultant vector gives the phase

angle w.r.t reference axis.
• Here, by measurement, A=9.42 units &
angle =760
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
  
2) Split the harmonic motions x = 10 sin  ωt +  into two harmonic
 6
motions one having a phase angle of zero & the other of 45 0 .
Analytical Solution :
Let the two harmonic motions be x1  A1 sin(t ) & x2  A2 sin t  450  .
Here, A  10, Phase difference   450
Amplitude of resultant motion A = A12  A22  2 A1 A2 cos 
i.e. A12  A22  2 A1 A2 cos 450  10
 A12 + A22 + 1.414A1 A2 = 100 (i)
 A2 sin  
Phase angle between x1 & resultant vector :   tan  -1

 1
A  A2 cos  
 A sin 45 0

-1
i.e.tan  2
0 
 300  0.707 A2  0.5773( A1  0.707 A2 )
 A1  A2 cos 45 
 A1  0.5177 A2 . Substituting in the equation (i) & Solving A1  3.66 & A2  7.07
The two harmonics are x1 = 3.66 sin(ωt ) & x = 7.07
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept2 RVCE sin  ωt + 45 0

Bangalore
Graphical solution to Prob 2
• Draw 10 units at 300 to horizontal to
represent resultant vector x.
• Then draw a line at 450 to reference
axis to represent vector x2.
A2 =7.07
• Then complete the parallelogram by
A=10
drawing a parallel to horizontal & to the
45°

450 line from tip of resultant vector.

30°

• The length of the side along 450 line

A1 =3.66 represents the amplitude of x2 & length
of the side along horizontal represents
the amplitude of x1.
• By measurement, A1=3.66 & A2=7.07
units.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Beats Phenomenon
• If two harmonic motions of amplitudes A & B and of slightly different
frequencies (1& pass through a point simultaneously, then the
resultant amplitude keeps on changing between (A+B) & (A-B) with a
frequency of (-1.
• This phenomenon is known as Beats. To get clear & distinct beats, the
following conditions must be satisfied;
(i) The frequency of beats (-1 must be small.
(ii) The amplitudes A & B must be nearly equal.

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Even and Odd Functions
• Even functions are functions for which the left half of
the plane looks like the mirror image of the right half of
the plane.
• Odd functions are functions where the left half of the
plane looks like the mirror image of the right half of the
plane, only upside-down.
• Mathematically, we say that a function f(x) is even if
f(x)=f(-x) and is odd if f(-x)=-f(x).
• A function can be odd, even or neither even nor odd.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Some even functions

f(x) = |x| f(x) = x2 f(x) = cos(x)

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Some Odd functions

f(x) = sin x

ƒ(x) = x3

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Important formulae to be remembered
2 2
t
1) 
0

cos( nt )dt 0 & 
t

sin( nt )dt 0 ( for n  0)
2 2
t
2)  0

cos(mt ) cos(nt )dt 0 & t

sin(mt ) sin(nt )dt 0 ( for m  n)
2
3)  0

sin(mt ) cos(nt )dt 0 ( for m  n  0)
2 2
 t 
 
sin (nt )dt   
cos ( nt )dt  ( for n  0)
2 2
4) &
0  t 
sin(nx) x sin(nx) cos( nx)
5)  cos(nx)dx  &  x cos( nx) dx  
n n n2
cos(nx) x cos(nx) sin(nx)
6)  sin(nx) dx   &  x sin( nx) dx   
n n n2

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 To find the coefficients of the Fourier series

We know that x(t )  a0    an cos( nt )  bn sin( nt ) 
n 1

1) To find ao :
Integrate both sides of the above equation over a cycle,
2 2  2 2

 
x(t )dt    a0 dt     cos(nt )dt    sin(nt )dt
0 0 0 0
n 1
2 2 2
 2 
 
x(t )dt a0  
dt  0  0 = a0 (t )0 
=a0  
0 0
 
2π
ω
∴ a0 =
2π 
0
ω
x(t)dt
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 To find the coefficients of the Fourier series

We know that x(t )  a0    an cos(nt )  bn sin(nt ) 
n 1

2) To find an :
Multiply both sides by cos(n t) & integrate over a time period,
2 2  2 2

  x(t ) cos(nt )dt a   cos(nt )dt    a cos (nt )dt    bn cos(nt ) sin(nt )dt
2
0 0 0 0 n 0
n 1
2π
2
  ω
   x(t ) cos(nt )dt 0  an    0 ∴ a n =  ω
x(t)cos(n t)dt
0
  π 0

3) To find bn :
Multiply both sides by sin(nt ) & integrate over a time period,
2 2  2 2

 
x(t ) sin(nt )dt a0   sin(nt )dt     an cos(nt ) sin(nt )dt    bn sin 2 (nt )dt
0 0 0 0
n 1
2π
2
  ω
 x(t ) sin(nt )dt 0  0  bn   ∴ b n =  ω
x(t)sin(n t)dt
0
  π 0

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
 Important notes
• If the given waveform represents an even function,
the coefficients of sine terms, i.e. bn will be zero.
• If the given waveform represents an odd function,
coefficients of cosine terms, i.e. an will be zero.
Also if the curve is symmetrical horizontal axis, a0
will also be zero.
• If the given waveform represents a function which
is neither odd nor even, neither an nor bn will be
zero.
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Prob 1
Represent the periodic motion given in the fig by
harmonic series.
x

2 cm

2 cm t

0.1 sec 0.1 sec

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
Solution to Prob 1:
As the waveform has LHS as inverted mirror image of RHS, it is an odd function.
Hence the coefficients an will be zero. Also as the waveform is symmetrical about
horizontal, a0 will be zero. (It can be verified by actual calculations also).
x

2 cm

2 cm t

0.1 sec 0.1 sec

Let the Fourier series of the periodic motion be


x(t )  a0    an cos nt  bn sin nt 
n 1

From the given wave form, the equation of the motion is

x(t )  (20t  2), 0  t  0.2
( The equation of motion is y = mx + c & the slope is negative for lines sloping leftwards)

2 2
Dr P
Time period T= 0.2 secs. R Circular Dept RVCE  
frequency
Venkatesh Mech = =10 rad/sec
Bangalore T 0.2
(i) Coefficient a0 (Constant term) :
2
 10 0.2
a0 
2 0 x(t )dt  2 0 (20t  2)dt  0


(ii) Coefficient a n (of Cosine terms) :

 2 10 0.2
an   x(t ) cos(nt )dt   ( 20t  2) cos(10 nt ) dt  0
 0  0

(iii) Coefficient bn (of Sine terms) :

 2 10 0.2
bn   x(t ) sin( nt )dt   ( 20t  2) sin(10 nt ) dt
 0  0

0.2 0.2
bn  10  (20t sin(10 nt )  10  2sin(10 nt ) dt
0 0
0.2
 t cos(10 nt ) sin(10 nt )    cos(10  nt ) 
0.2
4
bn  200   2 
 20   
 10 n 10 n   0  10 n 0 πn
4  sin(10 nt )
 The Fourier series for the given motion is x(t )  
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 n 1 n
 Prob 2
A periodic motion is as shown in the fig.
Determine the harmonic series of this motion.

x(t)

1.0

0
0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 t (sec)

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
Solution to Prob 2:
As the waveform has LHS as mirror image of RHS, it is an even function. Hence the
coefficients bn will be zero. (It can be verified by actual calculations also).
x(t)

1.0

0
0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 t (sec)
Let the Fourier series of the periodic motion be

x(t )  a0    an cos nt  bn sin nt 
n 1

From the given wave form, the equation of the motion is

x(t )  20t , 0  t  0.05
 20t  2, 0.05  t  0.1
( The equation of motion is y = mx + c & the slope is negative for lines sloping leftwards)

2 2
Time period T= 0.1 secs.  Circular frequency  
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
= =20 rad/sec
Bangalore
T 0.1
(i) Coefficient a0 (Constant term) :
2
 20  0.05
(20t  2)dt 
0.1
a0 
2 
0

x(t )dt  
2  0
20tdt  0.05 
1
 a0 
2
 2
(ii) Coefficient a n (of Cosine terms) : an   x(t ) cos(nt )dt
 0
20  0.05 0.1

  0 0.05
an  20 t cos(20 nt ) d t  ( 20t  2) co s (2 0 nt ) dt

 1 1  4
 an  20  2 2  2 2   2 2 (if n is odd) & zero if n is even.
 n  n   n
 2
(iii) Coefficient bn (of Sine terms) : bn   x(t ) sin(nt )dt
 0
20  0.05
( 20t  2) sin(20 nt )dt 
0.1
bn  
  0
20t sin(20 nt ) dt  0.05 
 1 1 
 bn  20     0 for all values of n  1
 n  n 
1 4 
cos(20 nt )
The Fourier series for the given motion is x(t )   2
2 
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

n 1,3,5 n2
Bangalore
 Prob 3
A periodic motion is as shown in the fig. Develop the Fourier series
for this motion.

1.0

X
- 0   

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
Solution to Prob 3:
As the waveform has LHS as inverted mirror image of RHS, it is an odd function. Hence
the coefficients an will be zero. Also as the waveform is symmetrical about horizontal,
a0 will be zero. (It can be verified by actual calculations also).

1.0

X
- 0   


Let the Fourier series be y  a0    an cos nx  bn sin nx 
n 1

From the given wave form, the equation of the motion is

y  1.0,    x  0 & y =1.0, 0  x  
2 2
Time period = 2      1 rad/sec
T 2
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
(i) Coefficient a0 (Constant term) :
1  1  0 
0
2  2   0
a0  y dx  (  1) dx  (1) dx

 a0  0
1 
(ii) Coefficient a n (of Cosine terms) : an 
  
y cos nx dx

1 0 
  0 for all values of n.
   0
an  (  1) cos( nx ) dx  (1) cos ( nx ) dx

1 
(iii) Coefficient bn (of Sine terms) : bn   y sin( nx)dx
 

1 0 

   0
bn  (  1) sin( nx ) dx  (1) sin( n x ) dx

4
 bn  for odd values of n & zero for even values of n
n
4  sin(nx)
The Fourier series for the given motion is x(t ) 
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
 n2
 n 1,3,5
Bangalore
 Prob 4
A periodic motion is as shown in the fig. Develop the Fourier series
for this motion.

x(t)

  0   t



Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
Solution to Prob 4:
As the waveform has LHS as inverted mirror image of RHS, it is an odd function. Hence
the coefficients an will be zero. Also as the waveform is symmetrical about horizontal,
a0 will be zero. (It can be verified by actual calculations also).

x(t)

  0   t



Let the Fourier series be x(t )  a0    an cos nt  bn sin nt 
n 1

From the given wave form, the equation of the motion is

x(t )  t ,    x  
2 2
Time period = 2 Dr     1 rad/sec
TBangalore2
P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
(i) Coefficient a0 (Constant term) :
2
 1 
a0 
2 0

x(t )dt 
2   tdt

 a0  0

 2
(ii) Coefficient an (of Cosine terms) : an   x(t ) cos(nt )dt
 0
1    0 for all values of n.
  
an  t cos( nt ) dt

 2
(iii) Coefficient bn (of Sine terms) : bn   x(t ) sin(nt )dt
 0
1     2 cos n  2 (1) n 1
  
bn  t sin( nt ) dt
 n n
(1) n 1

The Fourier series for the given motion is x(t )  2 sin nt
n 1 n
 sin 2t sin 3t 
i.e. x(t )  2 sin t    
 2 3
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Prob 5
A periodic motion is as shown in the fig. Develop the
Fourier series for this motion.

f(x)

x
  0  

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
Solution to Prob 5:
As the waveform has LHS as inverted mirror image of RHS, it is an odd function. Hence
the coefficients an will be zero. (It can be verified by actual calculations also).

f(x)

x
  0  

Let the Fourier series be f ( x)  a0    an cos nx  bn sin nx 
n 1

From the given wave form, the equation of the motion is

f ( x)  0,    x  
f ( x)   , 0  x  
2 2
Time period = 2DrP R    1 rad/sec
T
Bangalore
2
Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
(i) Coefficient a0 (Constant term) :
 1  0 
1  
a0 
2 

y dx 
2  
0 dx  0 
 dx

1 
(ii) Coefficient an (of Cosine terms) : an 
  
f ( x) cos nx dx

1 0 
  0 for all values of n  1
   0
an  (0) cos( nx ) dx  ( ) cos ( nx ) dx

1 
(iii) Coefficient bn (of Sine terms) : bn   f ( x ) sin(nx)dx
 

1 0 

   0
bn  (0) sin( nx ) dx  ( ) sin( nx ) dx

(1  cos n ) 2
 bn  = for odd values of n & zero for even values of n
n n

sin( nx)
The Fourier series for the given motion is f ( x)    2 
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE n 1,3,5 n
Bangalore
 Prob 6
Determine the Fourier series for the saw tooth curve
shown in fig.

1.0

x
0
  

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
Solution to Prob 6:
As the waveform has LHS as inverted mirror image of RHS, it is an odd function. Hence
the coefficients an will be zero. (It can be verified by actual calculations also).

1.0

x
0
  

Let the Fourier series be y  a0    an cos nx  bn sin nx 
n 1

From the given wave form, the equation of the motion is

x
y , 0  x  2
2
2 2
Time period = 2      1 rad/sec
2
TDept RVCE
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech
Bangalore
(i) Coefficient a0 (Constant term) :
2
 1 2 x 1
a0 
2 
0

x(t )dt 
2 
0 2
dx  a0 
2
 2
(ii) Coefficient an (of Cosine terms) : an   x(t ) cos(nt )dt
 0
1  2 x 
an    cos(nx)dx   0 for all values of n.
  0 2 
 2
(iii) Coefficient bn (of Sine terms) : bn   x(t ) sin(nt )dt
 0
1  2 x  1
bn    sin(nx)dx    , for all values of n.
  0 2  n
1 1  sin nx
The Fourier series for the given motion is y   
2  n 1 n
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore
 Prob 7
Determine the Fourier series for the curve shown
in fig.

y
1.0

x
    0    

Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE

Bangalore
Solution to Prob 6:
As the waveform has LHS as mirror image of RHS, it is an even function. Hence the
coefficients bn will be zero. (It can be verified by actual calculations also).

y
1.0

x
    0    

Let the Fourier series be y  a0    an cos nx  bn sin nx 
n 1

From the given wave form, the equation of the motion is

x x
y ,   x  0 & y   , 0 x
 
2 2
Time period = 2      1 rad/sec
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech
Bangalore

T Dept 2RVCE
(i) Coefficient a0 (Constant term) :
2
 1  0  x  x   1
a0 
2 
0

x(t )dt   
2    
     dx  0   dx
   2
 2
(ii) Coefficient an (of Cosine terms) : an   x(t ) cos(nt )dt
 0
1 0  x  x   2
an       cos(nx)dx     cos(nx )dx   2 2  cos n  1
      0
    n
4
 an  2 2 (if n is odd) & zero if n is even.
 n
 2
(iii) Coefficient bn (of Sine terms) : bn   x(t ) sin(nt )dt
 0
1 0  x  x  
bn       sin(nx)dx     sin(nx)dx 
      0
  
 bn  0 for all values of n  1

1 4 cos( nx)
The Fourier series for the given motion is x(t )   2
2 

n 1,3,5 n2
Dr P R Venkatesh Mech Dept RVCE
Bangalore