Assignment 2

Q.1 A rigid block of mass M is mounted on four elastic supports, as shown in Figure. A mass m drops
from a height l and adheres to the rigid block without rebounding. If the spring constant of each
elastic support is k, find the natural frequency of vibration of the system (a) without the mass m, and
(b) with the mass m. Also, find the resulting motion of the system in case (b).

Q.2 A weight is suspended using six rigid links and two springs in two different ways, as shown in
Figure. Find the natural frequencies of vibration of the two arrangements.

Q.3 Figure shows a metal block supported on two identical cylindrical rollers rotating in opposite
directions at the same angular speed. When the center of gravity of the block is initially displaced by a
distance x, the block will be set into simple harmonic motion. If the frequency of motion of the block
is found to be , determine the coefficient of friction between the block and the rollers.

Q.4 Find the equation of motion of the uniform rigid bar OA of length l and mass m shown in Figure.
Also, find its natural frequency.
Q.5 The Charpy impact test is a dynamic test in which a specimen is struck and broken by a pendulum
(or hammer) and the energy absorbed in breaking the specimen is measured. The energy values serve
as a useful guide for comparing the impact strengths of different materials. As shown in Figure, the
pendulum is suspended from a shaft, is released from a particular position, and is allowed to fall and
break the specimen. If the pendulum is made to oscillate freely (with no specimen), find (a) an
expression for the decrease in the angle of swing for each cycle caused by friction, (b) the solution for
( ) if the pendulum is released from an angle ( ), and (c) the number of cycles after which the
motion ceases. Assume the mass of the pendulum is m and the coefficient of friction between the shaft
and the bearing of the pendulum is .

Q.6 An aircraft engine has a rotating unbalanced mass m at radius r. If the wing can be modelled as a
cantilever beam of uniform cross section × , as shown in Figure, determine the maximum
deflection of the engine at a speed of N rpm. Assume damping and effect of the wing between the
engine and the free end to be negligible.
Q.7 In the cam-follower system shown in Figure, the rotation of the cam imparts a vertical motion to
the follower. The pushrod, which acts as a spring, has been compressed by an amount before
assembly. Determine the following: (a) equation of motion of the follower, including the gravitational
force; (b) force exerted on the follower by the cam; and (c) conditions under which the follower loses
contact with the cam.

Q.7 For the system shown in Figure, x and y denote, respectively, the absolute displacements of the
mass m and the end Q of the dashpot . (a) Derive the equation of motion of the mass m, (b) find the
steady-state displacement of the mass m, and (c) find the force transmitted to the support at P, when
the end Q is subjected to the harmonic motion ( ) = .

Q.8 A single-story building frame is modeled by a rigid floor of mass m and columns of stiffness k, as
shown in Figure. It is proposed that a damper shown in the figure is attached to absorb vibrations due
to a horizontal ground motion ( ) = . Derive an expression for the damping constant of the
damper that absorbs maximum power.
Q.9 A rigid plate, weighing 100 lb, is hinged along an edge (P) and is supported on a dashpot with
= 1 lb-sec/in. at the opposite edge (Q), as shown in Figure. A small fan weighing 50 lb and rotating
at 750 rpm is mounted on the plate through a spring with = 200 lb/in. If the center of gravity of the
fan is located at 0.1 in. from its axis of rotation, find the steady-state motion of the edge Q and the
force transmitted to the point S.

Q.10 A two-mass system consists of a piston of mass m1 connected by two elastic springs, that moves
inside a tube as shown in Figure. A pendulum of length l and end mass m2 is connected to the piston
as shown in Figure. (a) Derive the equations of motion of the system in terms of ( ) and ( ).
(b) Derive the equations of motion of the system in terms of the ( ) and ( ). (c) Find the natural
frequencies of vibration of the system.

Q.11 Figure shows a system of two masses attached to a tightly stretched string, fixed at both

ends. Determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the system for = = and =
= = .
Q.12 The motor-pump system shown in Figure(a) is modeled as a rigid bar of mass = 50 kg and
mass moment of inertia = 100 kg-m2. The foundation of the system can be replaced by two springs
of stiffness = 500 N/m and = 200 N/m. Determine the natural frequencies of the system.

Q.13 A rigid rod of negligible mass and length 2l is pivoted at the middle point and is constrained to
move in the vertical plane by springs and masses, as shown in Figure. Find the natural frequencies and
mode shapes of the system.

Q.14 Determine the equations of motion and the natural frequencies of the system shown in Figure.

Q.15 When an airplane (see Figure (a)) undergoes symmetric vibrations, the fuselage can be idealized
as a concentrated central mass and the wings can be modeled as rigid bars carrying end masses M,
as shown in Figure (b). The flexibility between the wings and the fuselage can be represented by two
torsional springs of stiffness each. (a) Derive the equations of motion of the airplane, using
Lagrange’s equations with x and as generalized coordinates.