Course Syllabus

Fall 2024

Course: ME 415 Vibrations

Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Mr. Sean Londrigan
Office: MK505
Office Hours: Tuesday 2-2:50 pm and Thursday 9-9:50 am

Catalog Description: Students learn the mathematical analysis of free and forced vibrations in
mechanical systems. 2 hours lecture, plus lab.

Purpose of the Course: ME 415 is one of the mechanical systems courses available in the
mechanical engineering concentration. Students make creative applications of Newton's
laws of motion to vibration problems that occur in mechanical systems. Laboratory
experiences validate the theoretical descriptions of vibratory response and illustrate the
means of detecting unacceptable vibrations in machinery. Laboratory experiences and
reports also teach students how to design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret
data, and communicate effectively through technical writing.

Prerequisites: EG 208 Dynamics and at least “C-” in MA 322 Differential Equations and MA
326 Statistics.

Texts: Vibrations, Balakumar Balachandran and Edward B. Magrab, 3rd edition, 2019.

Learning Outcomes—Upon completing this course, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate technical competence by applying complex problem-solving skills from
kinematics, Newtonian mechanics, calculus, and differential equations
2. evaluate experimental methodology and data from vibrations experiments designed
and conducted to measure physical constants
3. design a single-plane solution to safely and economically correct an unbalanced rotor
4. solve complex vibration problems by identifying system constraints, formulating
mathematical models, applying engineering judgment, and solving differential
equations for system response
5. communicate effectively in three styles of written laboratory reports
6. demonstrate intellectual skills by applying modern engineering techniques and tools
for experimental investigation of vibratory response
7. validate a mechanical system design by detecting unacceptable vibration, planning a
repair, and confirming the effectiveness of the repair.

Evaluation—Achievement of learning outcomes will be assessed using the following methods:

Homework Sets or Quizzes―10% Laboratory Reports―30%

Unit Tests―40% Final Examination―20%
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Classroom participation is also considered when giving a final grade, I may choose to
collect homework or give random quizzes. I reserve the right to adjust planned
assignments and their weights as needed throughout the semester.
The college grading scale will be applied to the course average to determine the course
grade.
90–100% A 60–69% D
80–89% B 0–59% F
70–79% C

Validation:
Evaluation of student progress is made by means of assessment tools linked to the course
outcomes. Successful achievement will be determined by:
Outcomes 1 and 4. homework problems assigned for every lecture period and collected
randomly to assess progress, by the three unit tests, by the final examination, and by
laboratory investigation reports for Labs 1 and 6;
Outcome 2. laboratory investigation reports for Labs 2, 3, 4, and 6;
Outcome 3. laboratory investigation report for Lab 5;
Outcome 5. memo, informal, and formal investigation reports for Labs 1 to 6;
Outcome 6. laboratory investigation reports for Labs 1, 4, and 5;
Outcome 7. laboratory investigation report for Lab 5.
The comprehensive final examination is also used to assess synthesis of knowledge and
solution techniques emphasized throughout the course.

Attendance Policy: Because regular attendance is important for your academic success, you are
expected to attend every class on time, to stay for the entire class period, and to
participate in all class activities. Missing 25 or more minutes of a class period or leaving
class and not returning (regardless of how much time is missed) will be recorded as an
absence; missing less than 25 minutes will be recorded as a tardy. Three tardies count as
an absence.

If you have more than 3 absences in this class (lab and lecture combined), your final
grade may be dropped by one full letter grade. If you have 7 or more absences, you may
be required to withdraw from the class. Absences for approved leave (as defined in the
Student Handbook) are excluded from these penalties unless you accumulate more
combined absences (for any reason) than the number of days the class meets in three
weeks.

Absence Procedures: You are responsible to know the material covered on days you are absent,
regardless of the reason for the absence. If you must miss class, submit a Class Absence
Notification Form as soon as reasonably possible. Students who are too sick to attend
class should check in before the class starts.

Skipping class, arriving late, or leaving early will result in a zero for any missed quiz,
presentation, homework, or performance and a 10 percent grade deduction for any late
assignment or missed test. For other absences, you may be required to submit makeup
work before the penalty will be waived. Makeup work may require you to submit a
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textbook interaction assignment. Regardless of the reason for an absence, you will need
to obtain notes from a fellow student for the missed class period, and you will need to
complete the homework assignment associated with the day of your absence.
Missed tests must be made up in the Testing Center within the next two available Testing
Center dates. You will receive an e-mail notifying you of the dates each specific test will
be available in the Testing Center.

Course Outline:
1 1 8/28 L1: Review of Kinematics Read pp. 647-654 (App A); Solve A.2,A.3
Lab Lab 1A: Analytical Solution of Diff. Eqns. Begin Report #1 (Memo)
2 9/2 L2: Review of Kinetics Read pp. 654-658 (App A); Solve A.8
9/4 L3: Review of Kinetic Energy Read pp. 658-659 (App A); Solve A.5,A.6
Lab Lab 1B: Numerical Solution of Diff. Eqns.Complete Report #1 (Memo)
3 9/9 L4: Equiv. Stiffness for Linear Springs Read 2.1-Ex. 2.3; Solve 2.5,8,9
9/11 L5: Equivalent. Stiffness for Structural Elements Read 2.3.5; Solve 2.7,10
Lab Lab 2A: Equivalent Spring Constants Begin Report #2 (Informal)
4 9/16 L6: Equiv. Damper for Linear Syst Read 2.4-2.7; Solve 2.22,23,26
9/18 Test 1 — Chapters 1 and 2
Lab Lab 2B: Stiffness of Structural Elements Complete Report #2 (Informal)
5 9/23 L7: Simple Harmonic Motion Read 3.1-3.3.1; Solve 3.3,6,8,9
9/25 L8: Viscous Damp. on Free Vib. Read 3.3.2-3.5.3; Solve 3.21,23,38
Lab Lab 3A: Measuring Gravity by the Simple Pendulum Begin Report #3 (Formal)
6 9/30 L9: Lagrange's Eqn. for Conservative Sys. Read 3.6-3.8; Solve 3.31c,31h
10/2 L10: Free Response 2nd-Order System to vo Read pp. 148-157; Solve 4.1,3,6
Lab Lab 3B: Compound Pendulum Moment of Inertia Complete Report #3 (Formal)
7 10/7 L11: Free Resp. of 2nd-Order Syst. to xo Read pp. 161-164; Solve 4.9,12,13
10/9 L12: Stability Analysis of a Vibrating System Read 4.3; Solve 4.18,21,22
Lab Lab 4A: Free Response of a Roller with Damping Begin Report #4 (Memo)
(Week of Tuesday midsemester preparation day)
8. 10/14 L13: Steady-State Resonse. to a Sinusoidal Force Read 5.1-Fig. 5.2;Spreadsheet
10/16 Test 2 — Chapters 3 and 4 (after midsemester preparation day)
Lab Lab 4B: Measuring Free Resp. with Oscilloscope Complete Report #4 (Memo)
9 10/21 L14: Trans Resp. and Gen. Soln. (sinusoidal) Read Fig. 5.2-Ex. 5.2; solve ODE
10/23 L15: Magn. and Phase Resp. for Underdamped Read 5.2.2-5.2.4; solve 5.1,3
Lab Lab 5A: Steady-State Resp. to Rot Unbalance Begin Report #5 (Informal)
10. 10/28 L 16: Vibration Response to Rot Unbalance Read 5.2.5; solve 5.6,7
10/30 L 17: Oscillator with Base Displ. or Accel Read 5.2.6,5.2.7,5.5; solve 5.9(a),18
Lab Lab 5B: Single-Plane Balancing of a Rotor Complete Report #5 (Informal)
11. 11/4 L 18: Vibr. Iso. & Equiv. Viscous Damping Read 5.6-5.7; solve 5.20,22,23
11/6 L 19: Trans. Resp. - Step Read 6.3; m=5kg,k=500N/m,c=75N·s/m,Fo=200N: PO, t's, plot
Lab Lab 6A: Free Vibration for Two DOF Particle Systs. Begin Report #6 (Memo)
12 11/11 Test 3 — Chapter 5 Lectures + Log Decrement
11/13 L 20: Mult. DOF Eqns. for Particle Mass Read 7.1-Ex. 7.3; solve 7.1,5(a) (2nd law)
Lab Lab 6B: Free Response for a Double Pendulum Complete Report #6 (Memo)
13. 11/18 L 21: Mult. DOF Eqns. - Rigid Bod Read 7.2.2&Ex. 7.7; solve 7.43(c)&(d) (2nd law)
11/20 L 22: Natl. Freqs. & Modes for Undamped 2 DOF Sys Read 7.3.1-Ex. 7.15; solve 7.22,23
Lab Lab 7: Steady-State Resp. for Two DOF Sys Solve 8.7(b) for undamped syst.
14 11/25 L 23: Two DOF Resp. by Laplace Transf. Read 8.1, pp. 669-674; solve 8.1 (ω = 1.5 rad/s)
(Week of Thanksgiving Day; no Thursday lab)
Friday after Thanksgiving (no classes)
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15 12/2 L 24: Review of Two DOF Systems and Solutions Prepare for Final Exam
12/4 L 25: Course Summary Prepare for Final Exam
Lab Review Problems Prepare for Final Exam
16 TBD FINAL EXAM — Chapters 6, 7, and 8, but Cumulative

Course Requirements:
Problem Assignments
Students solve homework problems for each lecture period, as assigned above.
Homework sets are to be neat, logical, accurate, and complete by the beginning of the
next class period. Sets are collected randomly, as frequent as once per week, and graded
as a portion of the course grade.

Laboratory Reports
Students write six laboratory reports (three memo, two informal, and one formal) to
develop technical writing skills for a range of audiences. Reports follow guidelines given
in a laboratory handout. Students develop data tables, plots, and attachments/appendices
appropriate for the technical report assigned in the course outline. A hard copy is due at
the beginning of the next Lab period after completion.

Academic Integrity: It is expected that students will act with academic integrity, applying
fundamental principles of honesty and independent study when completing all
coursework. Having academic integrity includes submitting your own first-time work for
assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests and acknowledging any contribution from others
in your work. Using ChatGPT or other forms of artificial intelligence to complete
coursework without the instructor’s express permission is considered academic
dishonesty. Plagiarism detection software may be used in this course.

Copyright: Under United States copyright laws, no person may duplicate or distribute a work
without the express permission of the author(s). Downloading copyrighted material such
as music, software, or textbooks without paying for it is a violation of copyright laws.

Bibliography:
Dimarogonas, Andrew D. and Sam Haddad, Vibrations for Engineers, Prentice-Hall
Hutton, David V., Applied Mechanical Vibrations, McGraw-Hill Book Company
Meirovitch, Leonard, Fundamentals of Vibrations, McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Steidel, Robert F., Jr., An Introduction to Mechanical Vibrations, 3rd, John Wiley & Sons
Timoshenko, S., et al., Vibration Problems in Engineering, 4th, John Wiley & Sons

Resources: Students use the following equipment and resources:

Spreadsheet software for program assignments or data analysis tables
Word processing software with equation editor for preparing laboratory reports
Digital Storage Oscilloscopes for measuring vibration data
Rotor kit for studying vibration of an unbalanced shaft
Digital Vector Filter for measuring vibration data
Handheld photo tachometer for measuring rotor speed
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Breadboard circuit with Wheatstone Bridge and Difference Amplifier for strain gage.