Mechanics Laboratory

ME234 (Engineering Mechanics - II)

Experiment No.: 1
Name of the Experiment: Determining Mass Moment of Inertia of a Flywheel
Objectives
The objectives of the experiment are as follows:
1. To determine the mass moment of inertia of a flywheel by falling weight method.
2. To determine the radius of gyration.
3. To determine the frictional torque.
Experimental Setup

m
Theory:
Notation used:
α = angular acceleration d = diameter of the shaft with allowance for the rope
m = attached mass T = torque
Tt = theoretical torque Tf = frictional torque
t = time of fall h = height of fall
a = linear acceleration I = mass moment of inertia
k = radius of gyration M = mass of the flywheel

1 2
T  I (1) h at (4)
2
d
Tt  T f  I (2) a  (5)
2
d
Tt  mg  ma  (3) I  Mk 2 (6)
2

Now, The torque of the flywheel, T  I

 Tt  T f  I From eqn. (2)

d 2
 mg  ma   T f  Ia From eqn. (3) and (5)
2 d

 2h  d 2h 2
 m g  2   T f  I 2 From eqn. (4)
 t 2 t d

2t 2 8h
 
 m gt 2  2 h  T f
d
I 2
d
(7)

In the above equation (7), the onl y va riables are m and t. Not e that t he above ·equation is the form
y = mx + c
 Mechanics Laboratory
ME234 (Engineering Mechanics - II)
where m(gt2 – 2h) is one variable on the ordinate, t2 is the other variable on the abscissa and is the
slope , Therefore , if one draws a graph with these axes, one can obtain the value of Tf from the slope, and
the value of I from the intercept on the ordinate. Once the moment of inertia become known, the radius of
gyration can be calculated from eqn. (8).

Apparatus:
(i)The rest rig, (ii) Stop watch, (iii) Scale (iv) Mass holder and (v) masses.
The test rig consists of a shaft resting on two ball bearings. The flywheel is mounted on the shaft. An
inextensible cord carrying a mass holder is tied and wrapped around the shaft. One or more masses can be
placed on the mass holder. If the load is sufficient to overcome the bearing friction, the cord unwinds
from the shaft and the mass starts falling until stopped by the floor.

Procedure:
1. Place the weight on the holder. Turn the flywheel to wrap the cord until the weight is at 96.5cm height.
2. Release the flywheel and start the stop watch simultaneously. The weight will start falling. Measure
the time of fall. Repeat the step at least three times. Calculate the average time of fall. (Accurate
timing is very important in this experiment.)
3. Gradually increase the weight and repeat step 2 for at least 5 different weights. Always keep the height
at 96.5cm
4. Plot a graph with m(gt2-2h) along the ordinate and t2 along the abscissa, the graph should be a straight
line. From the graph, find the intercept on the ordinate and calculate the mass moment of inertia from
the following formula:
I= (Intercept on the ordinate)
5. Calculate the radius of gyration from the value of I.
6. Find the slope of the line and hence the friction torque by using the following formula:
Tf = ×( )

Data Table:
M = 15.25 kg
d = 3.1cm
h = 96.5cm
Mass of the weight hanger, m1 = 0.045 kg
Obs. Attache Total Mass Time of Fall Average
d Mass, m= (Sec) Time of t2 m(gt2 -2h) I Tf K
(m2) Kg (m1+m2) Fall (Sec)
1 0.1

2 0.2

3 0.3

4 0.4

5 0.5

Discussion:
The graph you have drawn should be a straight line. If it is not, state reasons. State any other points you
find necessary to be stated.
 Mechanics Laboratory
ME234 (Engineering Mechanics - II)
Experiment No.: 2
Name of the Experiment: Verification of the Polygon Law of Forces
Objective:
1. To show how to predict an unknown force in a force polygon
2. To prove that the forces in a force diagram should all meet up correctly for coplanar concurrent
forces in equilibrium.
Theory:
As shown in Figure 1, any set of coplanar (in one plane) forces can be drawn as a ‘free body diagram’,
showing the relative angles and directions of the forces. Using lines parallel to those in the free body
diagram, a force diagram can also be drawn showing the relative angles and magnitudes of the forces.
In the triangle of forces shown, the force diagram uses the magnitude of one force as its starting line, then
adds the magnitudes of the other two so they fit into a triangle. This can be done by simple geometrical
scale drawing. This method can also be used to find the magnitude of an unknown force. For example - if
Fc and Fa, were known simple drawing skills could be used to find Fb. When all the points of a force
diagram join up, this proves that the forces are in equilibrium.
For more than three forces - a ‘force polygon’, the force diagram can be difficult to draw without a simple
numbering system and a direction. For this reason, engineers use ‘Bows Notation’ (devised by R.H. Bow
in the 1870s).
Figure 2 shows how this works. Each sector between the force lines of the free body diagram are labeled
with the letters A, B, C etc, deciding whether a clockwise or anticlockwise direction is followed. Then
starting with the force line (Fb) that passes between sectors A and B. Draw a line of length equal to the
force magnitude (or scale of the magnitude) and label its ends a and b. Then move clockwise to draw the
force line (Fc) that passes between sectors B and C, until the force diagram is completed.
Where the forces all pull on one point, they are said to be concurrent. Where the forces do not all pull on
the same point, they are said to be non-concurrent.

Figure 1 Figure 2
 Mechanics Laboratory
ME234 (Engineering Mechanics - II)
Apparatus: TecQuipment’s Equilibrium of Forces uses Static Work Panel, cords, magnetic protractors,
pulleys and masses

Procedure:
1. Fit a magnetic protractor to the upper middle of the Work Panel.
2. Fit two magnetic pulleys above the protractor to positions 250 (horizontal), 550 (vertical) and
550(horizontal), 550 (vertical).
3. Cut four or more cords to a length of about 300 mm and tie the end of each cord to one of the
rings.
4. Add the weights in the hanger attached at the ends of each cord.
5. Measure the angle between in each forces using magnetic protractor.
6. Draw a space diagram with the correct angles.
7. Construct the force diagram as shown in the Figure 2 and check that its ends all meet, confirming
the theory.
8. Repeat the procedure 4 to 7 for another combination of load and angle between each force.

Data Table:

Concurrent Force

Force Angle % of Error % of Error

Between Between
No.of Fa Fb Fc Fd A B C D
Obs Force (Fd) angle (D)

Discussion:
 Mechanics Laboratory
ME234 (Engineering Mechanics - II)
Experiment No.: 3
Name of the Experiment: Determination of the Spring Constant
Objective
The objectives of the experiment are as follows:
1. To show how that the springs obey Hooke’s Law.
2. To show how to find the stiffness for a given spring, for later use.
3. To introduce the VDAS software.
Theory:
Hooke's Law
In 1676, a British scientist-Robert Hooke discovered the relationship between force and extension in a
wire:
extension Is proportional to the force or tension in a wire if the proportional limit Is not exceeded.
This gives the equation:
Mathematically, this also says that the force is equal to a constant (k) multiplied by the extension:
F = xk

Load
F Slope = K
(N.mm-1)

Displacement x
The term K is known as the spring rate or constant. Springs are manufactured with a known rate, based on
the material that the spring is made from, the diameter of the wire, and the number of coils in it.
Normally the spring manufacturer will state a nominal rate, with a tolerance of around 10%. By
testing the spring you can find its rate (within the accuracy of the equipment) and then use this for
later experiments.
Apparatus:
Spring

Acceleration Sensor Displacement Sensor

(Set Zero Control) (Set Zero Control)

Scale to measure spring extension Sensor Activator
Platform position cursor non-contacting displacement sensor

Platform Acceleration sensor(built in the platform)

Procedure:
1. Fit the long spring.
2. With no masses fitted to the platform, tap the side of the unit to remove any stiction.
 Mechanics Laboratory
ME234 (Engineering Mechanics - II)
3. Using the VDAS software, select the Static Experiments and the Long spring.
4. Read off an initial value from the scale pointer and enter it into the VDAS software, both in the Initial
scale reading and “Scale Reading” fields.
5. Move the sensor in the rail so that the bottom edge of the activator aligns with the top edge of the
dotted lines on the cover, this sets a positive value of 25 mm (the activator is 25 mm wide). Use the SET
ZERO control on the front panel so that the “Sensor Displacement” in VDAS reads 25 ± 0.2mm.
6. On VDAS, start a new data series, then click “record data value”
7. Add a 200 g mass to the platform and tap the side of the unit to remove any “stiction”
8. On VDAS adjust the mass and enter the new scale reading Leave the “initial scale reading” at the
value you set earlier. VDAS now automatically calculates the difference for you. Again, click on on
“record data values”
9. Continue until you have used all the masses, or the sensor ls out of range (the top of the activator Is
several millimeters below the dotted lines).
10. From your results, plot Added Force (vertical axis) against Scale Displacement and Sensor
Displacement against Scale Displacement (these can be on the same chart).
11. Repeat for the other spring, remembering to start a new data series In the VDAS software.

Data Table:

Spring No Added Mass Added Force Initial Scale Scale Reading Scale
(g) (N) Reading (mm) Displacement
(mm) (mm)
200

400

600
Long Spring 800

1000

200
400
600
Short Spring 800
1000

Discussion:
 Mechanics Laboratory
ME234 (Engineering Mechanics - II)
Experiment No.: 4
Name of the Experiment: Frequency with Varied Mass and Spring Rate
Objective:
1. To show how mass affects the natural frequency of the mass-spring system.
2. To show how spring rate affects the natural frequency of the mass-spring system
Theory:

Fig:1 Simplified Diagram Fig:2 Amplitude and Phase

Assuming purely vertical motion, looking at the sum of the forces on the mass, and using Newton's
second law:
̈= −( + )
̈+ =0
̈+ =0 (1)
This is a second order differential equation. A general solution of this equation is

= −

Where A is the amplitude and a is the phase (two constants based on the initial conditions of the
motion) .
From the Figure: 2 we can see the vibratory character of the motion. Cosine function is a
periodic function that repeats every 2 . Thus, our period of oscillation is;
T = 2π and T = 2π
This is the period of the system and it is clear that it depends only on the spring rate and mass
in the system. The system will always vibrate at this speed unless influenced by any external
force. We can show the natural period in frequency and angular velocity as follows
= and =
∞ or ∝√ Where the mass (m) remains constant
√

∝√ or ∞ Where the spring rate (k) remains constant

Inserting this into Equation 1 gives: ̈+ =0
It is clear now that we can deduce the natural frequency of any system if we arrange the
equation into this form.
Relationships
Frequency and Mass
Locking at the mathematical analysis of the mass-spring system, you should see that mass affect the
oscillation frequency, so that increase mass produced a lower natural frequency. Their relationship is not
 Mechanics Laboratory
ME234 (Engineering Mechanics - II)
proportional; however, you should find a proportional relationship between frequency and the square root
of 1/mass, see fig 3

Total Mass m
Figure 3 Frequency and Mass

Frequency and Spring Rate (k)

Again, looking at the mathematical analysis of the mass-spring system, you should see that the
spring rate (k value) affects the oscillation frequency. A higher spring rate produces a higher natural
freq uency. The equipment includes only two springs of fixed rate, so you cannot produce a curve
of results. However, comparing the results of two springs with a varied mass should show that an
increased k value produces increased oscillation frequency.
Apparatus:
Spring

Acceleration Sensor Displacement Sensor

(Set Zero Control) (Set Zero Control)

Scale to measure spring extension Sensor Activator
Platform position cursor non-contacting displacement sensor

Platform Acceleration sensor(built in the platform)

Procedure:
Channel 1 Displacement Channel 2 Acceleration Time base
5mm 2 m/s2 200 ms

Table 1 Recommended VDAS Settings

Fit the long spring. Do not add any mass to the platform yet. Adjust the position of the sensor up and
down the rail so that the activator is central to the dotted lines on the clear cover. Using VDAS, select
the 'Dynamic Experiments' to see the oscilloscope-style Analogue Trace Window. Click the 'initiate
communications with' device' button. Gently push the platform down and release to make it oscillate.
You should see the traces on the screen oscillate. Wait for the platform to stop oscillating. The traces
should reach equilibrium. Use the SET ZERO controls on the TM164 to set the traces to the center of the
Trace Window. Press the 'terminate commu nications with device' button. Start a new data series in the
 Mechanics Laboratory
ME234 (Engineering Mechanics - II)
VDAS softwa re. Enter in values for the spring length, spring constant (from experiment 1) and the
total mass (platform and additional mass). The software will automatically calculate the theoretical
natural frequency. Click the 'initiate communications with device' button. Push the platform down
gently so that the top of the activator is level with the bottom dotted line on the cover and then
release the platform. After an initial settling period you should see the uniform traces of
displacement and acceleration, the amplitude will slowly die away as the energy of the system is lost
to friction, press the “terminate communication with device” button when the amplitude reduces to
around a third of the starting value. Use the scroll bar to 'rewind' to the start of the traces. Use the
cursors to measure the period (and thus frequency) of one complete cycle either using the peaks or
zero crossing points of the displacement waveform. Enter this 'measured' natural frequency. Add each
of the 200 g masses to the platform and repeat the procedure for each additional mass. Fit the
shorter spring, and repeat procedure 1 to test your predictions. Note that you must take care to
displace the shorter spring less than the longer spring, as the spring may tend to bounce upwards an d
affect your result.

Data table

Spring No Added Mass Total Mass Spring Theoretical Measured √(1/m)

(g) (kg) Constant Frequency Frequency (kg-½)
(K)
200

400

600
Long Spring
800

1000

200

400

600
Short Spring
800

1000

Discussion: