EME4076: Mechanical Vibrations

Mid-term test (1st trimester 2015/2016)

Answer all questions
Question 1
As shown in Figure Q1, the rollers at A and G are pinned to the uniform bar AB and move freely
in fixed slots. The bar has a mass of m and a length of L. The spring at A is initially unstretched
and the bar is at rest when = 0 . Derive differential equation of the system using Energy method
and Newtons 2nd law in terms of .
[12+13 marks]

Figure Q1

Question 2
As shown in Figure Q2, a video camera, of mass 3 kg, is mounted on the top of a bank building
for surveillance. The camera will be subjected to wind loads producing an applied force of
f (t ) = F0 cos t , where the largest value of F0 is measured to be 15 N. The wind frequency is
known to be 10 Hz. The camera is attached at its center at one end of a mounting bracket whose
the other end is fixed to the building. The bracket is made of a solid aluminum, 0.02 0.02 m in
cross section. Given that the Youngs modulus, E , and shear modulus, G , of the aluminum are
7.1 1010 N m 2 and 2.67 1010 N m 2 , respectively. Torsional constant of a square cross section
with side a is given as 0.1406a 4 .
(a)

If the wind load is applied in the axial direction of the camera, determine the maximum
length of the mounting bracket that will keep the vibration amplitude not more than the
desired deflection of 0.01 m. Note that the length must be at least 0.2 m in order to have a
clear view. To conserve material, it is desired to choose the maximum length of the
bracket in such a way that minimum aluminum is used.
[13 marks]

(b)

If the wind load is acting at a point on the tip of the camera in its radial direction that is at
a distance 0.09 m from its center, using the length of the bracket as obtained from part
(a), determine maximum displacement at the tip of the camera and the time for this to
occur. Assume that the camera can be modeled as a rigid cylinder with a radius of 0.05
m.
[12 marks]

Wind direction for part (a)

Wind direction
for part (b)

Building
Figure Q2

Question 3
A 15-kg flow meter is mounted on a table in a laboratory. To isolate the apparatus from the
vibration due to operation of nearby rotating machine, a rubber pad is placed between the
apparatus and the table. The table is bolted to the laboratory floor.
(a)

Measurement indicate the rotating machine caused the floor to vibrate at the amplitude of
0.8 mm at the frequency of 250 rad/s. Design an isolator with damping ratio of 0.1 such
that the acceleration transmitted to the flow meter is 5 m/s 2 .
[13 marks]

(b)

If the machine is operated at various speeds causing the floor to vibrate at the frequencies
of 250 rad/s, 500 rad/s and 750 rad/s. Using the isolator of part (a), what, if any,
minimum mass should be added to the meter such that its acceleration is less than 3 m/s 2
for all the stated floor frequencies?
[12 marks]

Question 4
Figure Q4 shows an electromagnet, which is supported by cables of a crane, is holding scrap
metal in a junkyard. At the instant shown in the figure the system is at rest. Given that the masses
of the electromagnet and the metal are 150 kg and 100 kg, respectively. If the current of the
electromagnet is suddenly turned off, then the metal is dropped. This causes the system to
vibrate. Knowing that the cables and the supporting crane have a total stiffness equivalent to a
spring constant of 200 kN/m, determine
(a)

the frequency, the amplitude, the maximum velocity and the time at which the maximum
velocity occurs of the resulting motion,
[4+4+4+4 marks]

(b)

the minimum tension which will occur in the equivalent spring during the motion,
[4 marks]

(c)

the distance between the electromagnet and the metal 0.03 s after the current is turned
off.
[5 marks]

Electromagne

Scrap metal

Figure Q4