5.

Vibration Control
5. Vibration Control
There are two Solution
1. Use of a Vibration Isolator, which is designed to
reduce the transmitted force to a tolerable level, while
keeping the machine vibration at an acceptable level

2. Use of Vibration Absorbers, which consists of a

mass connected to the primary devise using an elastic
element (spring).
Vibration Isolation

• Insert isolator between vibrating mass and vibration source to

reduce response

• Passive isolators: springs, cork, felt etc.

• E.g. Mounting of high-speed punch press

Vibration Isolation

• Two classes of problems regarding vibration isolation

1. Protect base of vibrating machine against large unbalanced or
impulsive forces
Static Load
Forge Hammer
Impulsive Force

Static Load
Unbalanced reciprocating
machine Inertia Forces

2. Protect system against motion of its foundation (Equipment

subjected to large displacements induced by motion of the foundation.)
Examples:
• Sensitive electronic equipment from harmonic structural vibrations.
• Equipment on a ship from sudden motions due to waves and rough seas
Vibration Isolation

• Protect base of vibrating machine against large unbalanced or

impulsive forces

Fi (t ) = kx(t ) + cx (t )

• Protect system against motion of its foundation

Fi (t ) = mx(t ) = k x(t ) − y(t ) + cx(t ) − y (t )

Vibration Isolation

• First case: Vibration Isolation System with Rigid Foundation

Reduction of force transmitted to foundation:

Equation of motion: mx + cx + kx = F cos t
0

Steady state solution: x(t ) = X cos(t −  )

where X = F0  c 
and  = tan −1  2 
(k − m ) +  c
2 2 2 2  k − m 
Force Ft transmitted to the foundation:
Ft (t ) = kx(t ) + cx(t ) = kX cos(t −  ) − cX sin (t −  )
Magnitude of total transmitted force FT:

F0 k 2 +  2c 2
FT = (kx) + (cx )
2 2
= X k 2 +  2c 2 =
(k − m ) +  c
2 2 2 2
Vibration Isolation

• Vibration Isolation System with Rigid Foundation

Reduction of force transmitted to foundation:

FT k 2 +  2c 2
Transmissibility Tr = =
F0 (k − m ) +  c
2 2 2 2

1 + (2r ) 
2
= where r =
(1 − r ) + (2r )
2 2 2
n

Following graphs shows the variation of Tr with r.

Vibration Isolation
• Vibration Isolation System with Rigid Foundation

Reduction of force transmitted to foundation:

Vibration Isolation

Reduction of force transmitted to foundation due to rotating

unbalance

Excitation force: F (t ) = F0 sin t  me2 sin t

Force transmissibility: FT F FT
Tr = = T 2=
F0 me mer2n2

1 + (2r )
2
FT
= 2

( )
r
men2 1 − r 2 + (2r )
2 2
Vibration Isolation
Second case: Reduction of force transmitted to mass:

mx + cx + kx = cy + ky
 mx + cx + kx = cY b cos(b t ) + kY sin(b t )
 Vibration Isolation

The magnitude of the particular solution, xp(t) will then be:

1/ 2
 1 + 2 r 2 
X =Y 
( )  where r =
b
( )
 1 − r 2 + ( 2 r )  n
2 2
 
1 + ( 2 r )
2
X
 =
Y (1− r )
2 2
+ ( 2 r )
2

• This is the ratio of the maximum response magnitude to the input

displacement magnitude and is known as the Displacement
Transmissibility.
• It shows how motion is transmitted from the base to the mass as a
function of the frequency ratio, r and the damping ratio ζ.
Vibration Isolation
• Isolation of Source of Vibration from Surroundings

1
Tr = 2 for r  2 and small 
r −1

 2N  st 2− R
By defining r= = = where R = 1 − Tr
n 60 g 1− R

30 g  2− R 2− R
N=   = 29.9092
  st  1 − R   st (1 − R )
R (Reduction factor/ reduction in transmissibility: measures the
success of vibration isolation)
 2 m 1− R
30 g (2 − R)
Vibration Isolation
=
  st (1 − R)
2− R
 n = 29.9093
 st (1 − R)
To generate design curves use the log of the equation
1  2− R 
log n = − log  st + log  29.9093 
2  1− R 

log n
R increases A linear equation of
the form y=ax+b

log δst
Vibration Isolation
Vibration Isolation

Example 1
Spring Support for Exhaust Fan

An exhaust fan, rotating at 1000rpm, is to be supported by 4 springs,

each having a stiffness of K. If only 10% of the unbalanced force of
the fan is to be transmitted to the base, what should the value of K?
Assume the mass of the exhaust fan to be 40kg.
Vibration Isolation

Example
Spring Support for Exhaust Fan
Solution

Transmissibility = 0.1
2
 
1 +  2 
  n 
0.1 = 2
    2   
2

1 −    +  2 
  n    n 

1000 2
Forcing frequency  = = 104.72 rad/s
60
Vibration Isolation

Example
Spring Support for Exhaust Fan
Solution

Natural frequency: n = k = 4K = K
m 40 3.1623

Assuming ζ=0, 1
0.1 =

  104.72  3.1623  
2

1 −   

  K   
To avoid imaginary values, 331.1561 = 3.3166 or K = 9969.6365 N/m
K
Vibration Isolation

Example
Isolator for Stereo Turntable

A stereo turntable, of mass 1kg, generates an excitation force at a

frequency of 3Hz. If it is supported on a base through a rubber mount,
determine the stiffness of the rubber mount to reduce the vibration
transmitted to the baes by 80%.
Vibration Isolation

Example
Isolator for Stereo Turntable
Solution

Using N=3x60=180 cpm and R=0.8,

2 − 0.80
180 = 29.9092 or  st = 0.1657m
 st (1 − 0.80)
mg
 st =
k
1(9.81)
0.1657 = or k = 59.2179N/m
k
Vibration Isolation

Example
Isolation from Vibrating Base

A vibrating system is to be isolated from its supporting base. Find the

required damping ratio that must be achieve by the isolator to limit
the transmissibility at resonance to Tr=4. Assume the system to have
a single degree of freedom.
Vibration Isolation

Example
Isolation from Vibrating Base
Solution

1 + (2 )
2
Setting ω=ωn, Tr =
1 1
or  = = = 0.1291
2 2 Tr − 1 2 15
2
Example:
An electronic instrument is to be isolated from a panel that vibrates at frequencies
ranging from 25Hz to 35Hz. It is estimated that at least 80% vibration isolation must
be achieved to prevent damage to the instrument. If the instrument weighs 85N
determine the necessary static deflection, δst of the un-damped isolator.
Example:
An electronic instrument is to be isolated from a panel that vibrates at frequencies
ranging from 25Hz to 35Hz. It is estimated that at least 80% vibration isolation must
be achieved to prevent damage to the instrument. If the instrument weighs 85N
determine the necessary static deflection, δst of the un-damped isolator.
Vibration Absorbers
Vibration Absorbers
• Is another approach to protect a device from steady-state
harmonic disturbance at a constant frequency

• Consists of a second mass-spring combination connected to

the primary device to protect it from vibrating

• Often used on machine that run at constant speed

– Examples: transmission lines, telephone line, reciprocating

machines, compactors

• System change from SDOF to two DOF and the system will
have two natural frequencies.
Vibration Absorbers
Vibration Absorbers

• Values of the absorber mass & stiffness are chosen

such that the motion of the primary mass is
minimum. F(t)= Fosinωdrt
x(t)
Primary mass

Absorber ka
xa
k/2 k/2
Legs

Table Model

• Equation of motion [Matrix Form]

 m 0   x   k + ka −ka   x   Fo sin dr t 
 0 m   x  +  −k    =  .........(1)
 a  a  a ka   xa  0 
Vibration Absorbers

• Let the steady - state solution be:

– x (t) = X sin ωdrt.
– xa(t) = Xa sin ωdrt.
• Substituting in equation 1
k + ka − mdr
2  X 
−ka  Fo 
    sin dr t =   sin dr t
 − ka ka − madr
2
  X a  0 
X  1 ka − madr 2
−ka   F0 
 =    
X ( 2 2
)(
 a  k + ka − mdr ka − madr − ka  −ka
2
) k + ka − mdr 
2
0 

X=
(k a − m  2
a dr Fo )
( )( )
................(2)
k + ka − mdr
2
ka − madr
2
− ka2
ka Fo
Xa =
( )( )
..............(3)
k + ka − mdr
2
ka − madr
2
− ka2
Vibration Absorbers
• Select ka and ma such that X=0
ka − madr
2
=0
ka
 dr
2
= or ka = madr
2
ma
− Fo − Fo
Hence, X a =  xa (t ) = sin dr t
ka ka
• i.e. the absorber mass oscillates at the driving
frequency with amplitude −Fo ka where as the primary
mass will not fill any thing.
• Force acting on the absorber mass:
ka X a = ka ( −Fo ka ) = −Fo
Vibration Absorbers
Conclusion:
• When the absorber system’s natural frequency is
tuned to the driving frequency and has reached
steady state,
– the forces provided by the absorber mass is equal in
magnitude and opposite in direction to the disturbance
force.
– With zero net force acting on the primary mass, it does not
move and the motion is absorbed by motion of the
absorber mass.
Vibration Absorbers
Factors affecting the success of vibration absorber.
1. Harmonic Excitation:
• Must be well known and not deviate much from
its constant value.
• If the driving frequency drifts much, the tuning
condition will not be satisfied.
• Danger of shifting of driving frequency to one of
combined systems' resonant frequencies
results in resonance of one of the systems
coordinates
Vibration Absorbers
2. Damping: -
• if introduced, equation can not be decoupled
• Magnitude of the displacement of the primary mass
will not be zero
• Desirable only if the frequency range of the driving
force is too wide for effective operation of the absorber
system
3. Absorber design:
• Absorber spring stiffness ka must be capable of
withstanding the full force of the excitation and hence
must be capable of corresponding deflections.
4. Geometric limitation:
• determines the spring size and deflection as well as
value of the absorber mass
Vibration Absorbers

Incase the driving frequency shift

• Let
ma a
– mass ratio, = , frequency ratio,  =
m p
k
– Original natural frequency of primary mass p =
m
– Natural frequency of the absorber a = ka
ma
• Combining the above

ka a2
=  2 =  2
k p
 a k ka a 2
then =
ma = p =
k a = a =  2 =  2
m p m ma k p

NB: This analysis are when the

driving frequency drifts from the
absorber tuned natural frequency

1 − (dr a )
2
Xk
= .......(4)
Fo 1 +  2 − 
( )
2
 p  1 − (dr a )  −  2
2
 dr
 

Xk
Fo  = 0.25
 =1
1

dr
0.782a 1 1.28a a
• The plot shows how much drift in driving frequency can be tolerated.
• Observation
– If dr drift to either 0.782a or 1.28a the combined system
will experience resonance and fail (both are the natural
frequencies of the combined system)
– If the driving frequency shifts such that Xk F  1, (i.e. 0.908a
or 1.118a) the force transmitted to the primary system is
0

amplified and the absorber system is not an improvement.

– The shaded area Xk
F0  1 illustrates the useful operating
range of the absorber design.
– If frequency drifts within this range, the absorber design
still offers some protection to the primary system by
reducing its steady-state vibration magnitude.
Dynamic Vibration Absorber
 Animation of the main mass and dynamic absorber
at three frequencies.
• The 2-DOF system has two natural frequencies,
corresponding to the two natural modes of vibration for the
system.
• In the lower frequency mode both masses move in the same
direction, in-phase with each other. In the higher frequency
mode the two masses move in opposite direction, 180° out of
phase with each other.
• The animation above shows the motion of the 2-DOF system
at normalized forcing frequencies of:
– fleft=0.67 (in-phase mode),
– fmiddle=1 (undamped classical tuned dynamic absorber), and
– fright=1.3 (opposite-phase mode).
• The arrows in the movie represent the magnitude and phase
of the force applied to the main mass.
Further illumination
– The two dimensionless quantities ( ,  ) indirectly specify
both mass & stiffness of the absorber.
– frequency equation (characteristic equation) for the two
mass system is determined as follows.
– Set
• the determinant of the coefficient matrix to zero or
• the denominator of either of equations 2, 3 or 4 to zero. This will set
X or Xa to  hence resonance
rearranging yields

i.e. dr = n = 
2
 2
  2
 2  2  − [1 +  2 (1 +  )] 2 + 1 = 0
 a  a
2
This is a quadratic equation in 2
a
   1 +  2 (1 +  )
2
1
  = +  4 (1 +  )2 − 2 2 (1 −  ) + 1

 a 2  2
2  2

• This illustrates how the systems’ natural frequency

vary with
– mass ratio 
– the frequency ratio β.
 
0.3  =1
 = 0.25
0.2

0.1

1 1 2 a

From plot:
• As  is increased, the natural frequencies split further
apart, and further from the operating point ωdr= ωa of the
absorber.
• If  is too small, the combined system will not tolerate
much fluctuation in the driving frequency before it fails.
Rule of thumb:
–  is usually taken to be between 0.05 and 0.25 as larger
values of  tend to indicate poor design
(big ma → poor design)
• Vibration absorbers can also fail because of fatigue if
xa(t) and the stress associated with this motion of the
absorber are larger.
Example
Vibration Absorbers

Example
Vibration Absorber for Diesel Engine

A diesel engine, weighing 3000 N, is supported on a pedestal mount.

It has been observed that the engine induces vibration into the
surrounding area through its pedestal at an operating speed of 6000
rpm. Determine the parameters of the vibration absorber that will
reduce the vibration when mounted on the pedestal. The magnitude of
the exciting force is 250 N, and the amplitude of motion of the
auxiliary mass is to be limited to 2 mm.
Vibration Absorbers

Example
Vibration Absorber for Diesel Engine
Solution

We have f = 6000 = 100Hz or  = 628.32 rad/s

60
Amplitude of motion of auxiliary mass is equal and opposite to that of
the exciting force. F = m  2 X
0 2 2

250 = m2 (628.32) (0.002)

2

m2 = 0.31665 kg
k2 =  2 m2 = (628.32) (0.31665) = 125009 N/m
2
Vibration Absorbers

Example
Absorber for Motor-Generator Set

A motor-generator set shown below is designed to operate in the speed range

of 2000 to 4000 rpm. However, the set is found to vibrate violently at a speed
of 3000 rpm due to a slight unbalance in the rotor. It is proposed to attached
a cantilever mounted lumped mass absorber system to eliminate the problem.
When a cantilever carrying a trial mass of 2 kg tuned to 3000 rpm is attached
to the set, the resulting natural frequencies of the system are found to be
2500 rpm and 3500 rpm. Design the absorber to be attached (by specifying
its mass and stiffness) so that the natural frequencies of the total system fall
outside the operating speed range of the motor-generator set.
Vibration Absorbers

Example
Absorber for Motor-Generator Set
Solution k1 k2 m2
1 = , 2 = , =
m1 m2 m1
1 = 261.80 rad/s, 2 = 366.52 rad/s
1 261.80
r1 = = = 0.8333
2 314.16
2 366.52
r2 = = = 1.1667
2 314.16
   
2

r1 , r2 = 1 +   1 +  − 1
2 2

 2  2
Vibration Absorbers

Example
Absorber for Motor-Generator Set
Solution
 r14 + 1 
 =  2  − 2 = 0.1345
 r1 
m2
m1 = = 14.8699 kg
0.1345
1 = 209.44 rad/s
1 209.44
r1 = = = 0.6667
2 314.16
Vibration Absorbers

Example
Absorber for Motor-Generator Set
Solution

m2 = m1 = m1 (0.6942) = 10.3227 kg

   
2

r = 1 +  + 1 +  − 1 = 2.2497
2
2

 2  2
2  4499.4 rpm, larger tha n the specified upper limit
k2 = 22 m2 = (314.16) (10.3227) = 1.0188106 N/m
2
end