ME 351 Mechanical Vibrations Homework #5

Issued 2025 May 13 Due May 27

※ For questions about HW#5, please contact TA Yong-Hoon Lee ([email protected])
※ Violation of the honor code for completing HW will give both the copy and the original ZERO
credit and ONE LETTER GRADE DISCOUNT (1st violation) or F CREDIT (2nd violation).

이제까지 챕터 1,2,3 을 통해서 싱글 매스에서 초기값만 있고 가진이 없는 경우 (free

response), 싱글 하모닉 가진이 있는 경우(Chapter 2), 임의의 힘이 주어졌을 때 이를
무한 하모닉의 합으로 접근하는 방법과( Fourier series), 무한 초기조건응답의 합으로
접근하는 방법 (convolution integral)을 Chapter 3 에서 배웠습니다. 또한 질량이 하나 더
증가했을때는 단순히 챕터 1,2,3 에서 배운 지식을 그대로 사용해서 수퍼포지션으로
응답을 구할수 없다는 것을 알았고, (왜죠? ㅎ 네 그렇습니다. 바로 변수 x1, x2, …
등이 서로 커플링 되어 있기 때문입니다) 이를 단순한 수퍼포지션 형태로 풀기
위해서, 아이겐벡터를 이용해서 커플된 연립 방정식을 디커플링 된 개별변수 r 의
미분방정식으로 변환하였습니다. 이 일련의 과정에서 모달 벡터 U 로 이루어진 변환
매트릭스, S=M-1/2P 가 중차대한 역할을 하고, 최종 답안이 모드벡터 U 의 웨이티드
썸으로 나타나기 때문에 이러한 풀이 방법을 ‘모달 어낼리시스’라고 합니다.

이렇게 그동안 힘이 어떤 형태로 주어지건, 질량이 몇 개이건, 시스템의 응답을

구하는 방법을 배웠으므로, 챕터 5 에서는 “원하는 응답을 나오도록 시스템의 변수들
(m, c, k)을 설정”하는 것을 공부합니다. 교과서에 노모그램방법, 아이솔레이터, 앱조버
등 다양한 방법이 나오지만, 결국 진동 제어의 기본 중의 기본은 다음 한마디로
요약할 수 있겠습니다.

“인풋 대비 아웃풋의 크기를 줄이도록 m, c, k 를 설계하는 것”

그렇다면, 챕터 2 에서 배운 것처럼 싱글 매스에서 m, c, k 를 튜딩하는 방법이 있을

것이고 챕터 4 에서 배운 것처럼 여러 매스가 있을 때 m, c, k 를 조합하여
변화시키는 방법이 있을 텐데요, 전자를 “진동 격리(아이솔레이션)”라고 하고, 후자를
“진동 흡수(앱솔션)”라고 합니다. 전자는 다소 소극적(!)인 방식으로 진동을 줄이려고
댐핑을 늘이거나 스티프니스를 변화시키는 방법이고, 후자는 보다 적극적(!)인
방법으로 추가적인 질량–스프링 시스템을 부착하여 진동 에너지를 분산 또는
상쇄시키는 방법입니다. (*참고로 공학적 정의의 수동적, 적극적은 전혀 다른 의미로
쓰입니다.)

본 숙제에서는 챕터 2 의 내용을 바탕으로, “원하는 응답이 나오도록 시스템의

변수들 (m,c,k—사실상은 거의 ‘k’) 을 설정하는 연습을 해보겠습니다. 또한 챕터
4 에서 다룬 두 개의 질량이 있는 시스템을 대상으로, 복수의 m,c,k 를 조합하여
응답을 조절하는 방법도 함께 연습해 보겠습니다.

1
ME 351 Mechanical Vibrations Homework #5
Issued 2025 May 13 Due May 27

Through Chapters 1, 2, and 3, we have studied various types of responses in single-degree-of-

freedom systems:

• the free response with initial conditions but no external forcing (Chapter 1),
• the response to a single harmonic excitation (Chapter 2), and
• the response to arbitrary forcing, either by decomposing the force into an infinite sum
of harmonics using Fourier series, or by using the convolution integral to represent the
infinite sum of initial-condition-based responses (Chapter 3).

We then learned that when an additional mass is introduced, we can no longer obtain the response
simply by applying the superposition of results from Chapters 1–3. (Why not? That's right —
because variables such as x1,x2,… are coupled.) To address this, we transformed the coupled
differential equations into decoupled modal coordinates ri(t) using eigenvectors, allowing us to
express the system as independent equations. During these process, the transform matrix S, which
is composed by modal vectors S=M-1/2P, plays an important role, and the final solution X is
expressed as the weighted sum of modal vector U, we call this solution procedues as “Modal
Analysis”.

Now that we've learned how to compute the system's response regardless of the force type or
number of masses, Chapter 5 shifts the focus to how to select system parameters m,c,k to
achieve a desired response. The textbook introduces various techniques such as nomograms,
vibration isolators, and absorbers, but at its core, vibration control boils down to one principle:

"Design m,c,k to reduce the output amplitude relative to the input."

As we learned in Chapter 2, there are methods to tune m, c, k in a single mass system, and as we
learned in Chapter 4, there are methods to modify the combination of m, c, k when multiple
masses are involved. The former is called 'vibration isolation' and the latter is called 'vibration
absorption.' The former is a somewhat passive(!) approach to reduce vibration by increasing
damping or modifying stiffness, while the latter is a more active(!) approach that disperses or
counteracts vibration energy by attaching an additional mass-spring system. (*Note that the
engineering definitions of passive and active have completely different meanings.)

In this homework, based on the content from Chapter 2, we will practice setting system
parameters (m, c, k—essentially mostly 'k') to achieve desired responses. Additionally, we will
practice methods to adjust responses by combining multiple m, c, k values for systems with two
masses, as covered in Chapter 4.

2
ME 351 Mechanical Vibrations Homework #5
Issued 2025 May 13 Due May 27
1. (15 pts) The following plots show the frequency response functions (FRFs) for a single-degree-
of-freedom system under harmonic excitation, as discussed in Chapter 2. For each case, sketch
the excitation signal and corresponding response at the points A, B, C, (and D for Fig. 1.2)
indicated on the graphs. You don’t have to plot the exact response. Estimation of the magnitude
and the phase would be okay. Choose the amplitude and frequency of the excitation signal
arbitrarily, but once chosen, you must use the same values consistently throughout Problem 1.

Fig. 1.1 illustrates the case where the external harmonic force is applied directly to the mass.
Fig. 1.2 shows the case where the base of the system is harmonically excited.

3
ME 351 Mechanical Vibrations Homework #5
Issued 2025 May 13 Due May 27
2. (15pts) In this problem, let’s examine how the natural frequency of a single mass-spring system
changes when an additional mass is attached, forming a 2-DOF system. The system is excited by
a single harmonic force F(t) = F0sint as shown below. Just as in the previous problem, choose
and fix the frequency and amplitude of harmonic excitation by your choice.

Let the ratio between the mass and stiffness is defined as follows,

m2 k  
 ,   2 , r1  , r2 
m1 k1 k1 m1 k2 m2

a) (5pts) Derive the ratio of normalized displacement response k1X1/F0 and k2X2/F0 in terms of
r1. Also, obtain the ratio for r2.

b) (5pts) For the following ranges of the mass and stiffness ratios,  ∈ {0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 10}
and  ∈ {0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 10}, examine the change of (1) first natural frequency of the
system, (2) response amplitude of m1, and (3) m2, respectively.

c) (5pts) Briefly discuss the change natural frequency of a single mass-spring system with added
mass with spring.

4
ME 351 Mechanical Vibrations Homework #5
Issued 2025 May 13 Due May 27
3. (20 pts) The unbalanced vibration of the rotating machine is transmitted through the table and acts
as an excitation to the punch press as shown below. In this situation, the punch press can be
modeled as being base-excited due to vibrations transmitted through the table structure. Answer
the following questions The parameters such as the masses and rotating speed are given below,
but not all of them need to be explicitly used in the problem.
⚫ 𝑀 = 100 𝑘𝑔 (Mass of the firm table)
⚫ 𝑚1 = 20 𝑘𝑔 (Mass of the rotating machine)
⚫ 𝑚2 = 10 𝑘𝑔 (Mass of the punch press)
⚫ 𝑁 = 180

a) (3pts) Construct a single-degree-of-freedom (1DOF) mass-spring-damper model representing

the protected component. Then identify the vibration source, the object to be protected, and
where the isolator should be installed, respectively.

b) (5pts) Design an isolator such that the vibration amplitude of the protected component (the
punch press) is reduced to 10% of the base (table) vibration amplitude. To solve this problem,
you need to define an appropriate transmission ratio (TR) as the ratio of the punch press
response to the base motion and formulate the mathematical expression for it.

c) (2pts) In this system, does force transmissibility matter as a design criterion? Why/why not?

d) (5pts) You want to eliminate the vibration of m2 by adding an additional mass-spring system
to it. Design an absorber to reduce the vibration amplitude of the protected component to zero.
The stiffness k2 is the value obtained in part (b). Briefly discuss whether you would use
isolator or absorber to suppress the punch press vibration.

e) (5pts) In part (d), redesign the absorber by including damping in the auxiliary system.
Compare your new design with the undamped absorber in part (d) and briefly discuss how
damping affects the absorber’s performance.

5
ME 351 Mechanical Vibrations Homework #5
Issued 2025 May 13 Due May 27
4. (20 pts) The unbalance in the rotating machine causes it to vibrate, generating a periodic force on
the table as shown below. As a result, the table vibrates, and this vibration acts as a base excitation
to the microscope mounted on it. Your objective is to minimize the vibration of the table, i.e., the
force transmitted from the rotating machine to the table. Answer the following questions. The
parameters such as the masses and rotating speed are given below, but not all of them need to be
explicitly used in the problem.
⚫ 𝑀 = 100 𝑘𝑔 (Mass of the firm table)
⚫ 𝐾 = 5 × 105 𝑁/𝑚 (The stiffness of table legs)
⚫ 𝑚3 = 10 𝑘𝑔 (Mass of the microscope)
⚫ 𝑚4 = 20 𝑘𝑔 (Mass of the rotating machine)
⚫ 𝑁 = 180

a) (3pts) Construct a single-degree-of-freedom (1DOF) mass-spring-damper model representing

this problem. Then identify the vibration source, the object to be protected, and where the
isolator should be installed, respectively.

b) (5pts) Design an isolator such that the force transmitted to the protected component is reduced
to 10% of the input force. To solve this problem, you need to define an appropriate
transmission ratio (TR) and formulate the mathematical expression for them. Please do so.

c) (2pts) In this system, does force transmissibility matter as a design criterion? Why/why not?

d) (5pts) In this case, the goal is to minimize the force transmitted from the rotating machine to
the table. One way to achieve this is by reducing the vibration amplitude of m4, the primary
mass. Design an absorber by adding an auxiliary mass-spring system to suppress the vibration
of m4. The stiffness k4 is the value obtained in part (b). Then, based on your analysis, discuss
whether an absorber or an isolator would be more appropriate for minimizing the transmitted
force in this scenario. Justify your reasoning.

6
ME 351 Mechanical Vibrations Homework #5
Issued 2025 May 13 Due May 27
e) (5pts) In part (d), redesign the absorber by including damping in the auxiliary system.
Compare your new design with the undamped absorber in part (d) and briefly discuss how
damping affects the absorber’s performance.

7
ME 351 Mechanical Vibrations Homework #5
Issued 2025 May 13 Due May 27
5. (30pts) A large industrial exhaust fan is mounted on a steel frame in a factory. During operation,
its rotation induces periodic vibrations in the platform due to aerodynamic loading and imbalance.
These base vibrations are transmitted back to the fan body, causing it to oscillate. To simplify the
analysis, we model the base motion as a prescribed harmonic excitation with constant amplitude,
while its frequency varies with the fan’s rotational speed. The plant manager has decided to mount
a storage bin on the same platform. Adding mass to a system can change its dynamics substantially
and the plant manager wants to know if this is a safe change to make.

The very first step is to identify the current system and then take action to reduce vibration.
Unfortunately, however, the original design of the fan support system is not available. You have
to identify system parameters from several measurement data. You measured the amplitude of
exhaust fan body deflection, x, at several different motor speeds, and here are what you found.

A. No resonance is observed in running the fan from 0 to 600 rpm.

B. Deflection measurements are made, and it is found that the amplitude is 10 mm at 600 rpm
and 4.5 mm at 400 rpm
C. The mass of the fan is 50 kg, and the plant manager would like to store up to 50 kg on the
same platform.
D. The best operating speed for the exhaust fan is between 400 ~ 600 rpm depending on the
environmental conditions in the plant.

Answer the following questions.

a) (3pts) Model the exhaust fan as a single-degree-of-freedom (1DOF) mass-spring-damper
system. What is the excitation source? Define an appropriate transmission ratio (TR) and
roughly sketch the Bode plot.

8
ME 351 Mechanical Vibrations Homework #5
Issued 2025 May 13 Due May 27
b) (3pts) Using the measurement data, estimate the effective stiffness k of the support frame for
each of the following damping ratios:  = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1

c) (4pts) Assume a 50 kg storage bin is added on the same platform. For each damping ratio (
= 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1), calculate the resulting natural frequency of the system. Then, based on
your findings, would you recommend adding the storage bin? Briefly justify your answer

d) (15pts, 5pts each) Design a vibration suppression strategy for the exhaust fan system—
modeled as a single-degree-of-freedom system excited by unbalance. Assume that damping
in the original system is negligible, and that the storage bin has not been added. Apply each
of the following three methods individually under the conditions described below:

(A) Soften the support spring to lower the natural frequency (i.e., isolator design), such that
the steady-state deflection amplitude is reduced to 33% of the original amplitude measured
at 600 rpm.
(B) Increase support stiffness to raise the structural natural frequency (i.e., structural tuning),
such that the steady-state deflection amplitude is reduced to 33% of the original amplitude
measured at 600 rpm.
(C) Add an auxiliary mass-spring system to absorb vibration at a target frequency (i.e.,
absorber design). The goal is to minimize the fan’s deflection amplitude at 600 rpm,
ideally approaching zero through resonance cancellation.

e) (5pts) In part (d), redesign the absorber by including damping in the auxiliary system.
Compare your new design with the undamped absorber in part (d) and briefly discuss how
damping affects the absorber’s performance.