BASIC CONCEPTS OF

VIBRATIONS
“Understanding Equivalent Solutions, Users, Damping,
Modeling”

Prepared by: Engr. Rommel T. Valmoria

September 5, 2024
TOPICS
1. Introduction to Vibrating Systems
2. Equivalent Solutions, Users, and Damping
3. Modeling a Mechanical System using Basic Vibration
Elements
INTRODUCTION TO VIBRATION
▪ Vibration – defined as oscillation of a system around an equilibrium point.
▪ Types of Vibrations:
▪ Free Vibration
▪ Forced Vibration
▪ Damped and Undamped Systems

▪ Real-World Examples:
▪ Automotive Suspensions
▪ Earthquake engineering
FREE VIBRATION
▪ Free vibration refers to the natural motion of a mechanical system when it is allowed to vibrate
without any external force or damping after being initially displaced. It occurs when the system is
displaced from its equilibrium position and then released, allowing it to oscillate based on its
internal restoring forces.
▪ Key characteristics of free vibration include:
1. Natural Frequency: The frequency at which the system tends to oscillate when disturbed from its
equilibrium position and then allowed to vibrate freely. It depends on the system's mass and
stiffness.
2. Amplitude: The maximum displacement of the system from its equilibrium position. In free
vibration, the amplitude depends on the initial displacement and velocity.
3. Undamped vs. Damped Vibration:
1. Undamped Free Vibration: The system continues oscillating indefinitely without any energy loss
(theoretical case).
2. Damped Free Vibration: The system loses energy over time due to friction or resistance, and the
amplitude of the oscillation decreases, eventually bringing the system to rest.
▪ An example of free vibration is a pendulum swinging back and forth after being displaced and
released.
FORCE VIBRATION
▪ Forced vibration occurs when an external force continuously drives a mechanical system, causing
it to vibrate. Unlike free vibration, where the system vibrates due to its initial disturbance, forced
vibration relies on an external force applied to maintain the motion.
▪ Key characteristics of forced vibration include:
1. Driving Frequency: The frequency at which the external force is applied to the system. This can
be different from the system's natural frequency.
2. Resonance: This occurs when the driving frequency matches the system’s natural frequency,
leading to a significant increase in amplitude. Resonance can result in large oscillations, which
may cause damage if uncontrolled.
3. Amplitude and Steady-State Response: In forced vibration, the amplitude depends on both the
driving frequency and the system's damping. As the system reaches a steady-state response, the
amplitude remains constant if the external force is steady.
4. Damping: In real-world systems, damping reduces the amplitude of forced vibrations, preventing
the system from oscillating uncontrollably.
▪ Examples include a child being pushed on a swing at regular intervals or the vibrations of a
washing machine caused by the spinning drum.
DAMPED AND UNDAMPED SYSTEMS
▪ Damped and undamped systems are two types of vibrating systems distinguished
by the presence or absence of damping, which is the mechanism that dissipates
energy from the system.
UNDAMPED SYSTEMS
• Definition: An undamped system is one in which no energy is lost during vibration,
meaning the system will continue to oscillate indefinitely once set into motion. This is a
theoretical concept, as real-world systems always have some form of energy loss due to
friction, air resistance, or internal material properties.
• Behavior: In an undamped system, after being displaced from equilibrium, the system
vibrates at its natural frequency without a decrease in amplitude over time.
• Examples: A perfect pendulum in a vacuum or an ideal spring-mass system would be
examples of undamped systems, though such systems don't exist in real life.
• Equation of Motion: For a simple undamped harmonic oscillator, the equation is:

• where m is the mass, k is the stiffness, and x is the displacement.

DAMPED SYSTEMS
• Definition: A damped system is one in which energy is gradually lost over time due to resistive forces,
such as friction or drag. This loss of energy causes the amplitude of vibration to decrease over time, and
the system will eventually come to rest.
• Types of Damping:
• Light Damping: The system oscillates, but the amplitude gradually decreases over time.
• Critical Damping: The system returns to its equilibrium position as quickly as possible without oscillating. It’s
the ideal damping level in many systems, like shock absorbers.
• Over Damping: The system returns to equilibrium without oscillating, but more slowly than in the critically
damped case.
• Examples: Real-world examples include a car’s suspension system, where dampers (shock absorbers)
reduce vibrations, or a pendulum swinging in air, where air resistance slowly brings it to rest.
• Equation of Motion: For a damped harmonic oscillator, the equation is:

• where c is the damping coefficient. The value of c determines whether the system is underdamped,
critically damped, or overdamped.
EQUIVALENT SOLUTIONS
▪ Equivalent Systems: Systems that have the same dynamic characteristics (natural
frequency, damping) despite different physical layouts.
▪ Importance: Simplifies the analysis of complex systems by reducing them to
simpler models.
▪ Key Example: Mass-spring-damper system.
EQUIVALENT USERS
▪ Who Are Equivalent Users?
▪ Users or components that impose similar forces or constraints on a vibrating system.
▪ Example: Various car passengers contribute to total mass and influence suspension
system vibration.
▪ User Contributions: Adjustments in parameters such as mass distribution, stiffness,
or damping based on user characteristics.
EQUIVALENT DAMPING
▪ What is Damping?
▪ Damping refers to energy dissipation in a system (e.g., friction, air resistance).

▪ Equivalent Damping: Systems with different damping mechanisms but yielding the
same overall energy dissipation rate.
▪ Damping Types:
▪ Viscous Damping - damping that is proportional to the velocity of the system. That is, the faster
the mass is moving, the more damping force is resisting that motion. Fluids like air or water
generate viscous drag forces.
▪ Coulomb Damping - a type of constant mechanical damping in which the system's kinetic
energy is absorbed via sliding friction (the friction generated by the relative motion of two
surfaces that press against each other).
▪ Structural Damping - the process of reducing the vibrations and oscillations of a structure by
dissipating its energy. It is an essential aspect of structural dynamics, the study of how
structures respond to various loads and forces.
▪ Calculation: Energy dissipated per cycle compared across systems.
MODELING A MECHANICAL SYSTEM
▪ Basic Vibration Elements:
▪ Mass (M): The object in motion, which stores kinetic energy.
▪ Spring (K): Stores potential energy (restoring force) based on displacement.
▪ Damper (C): Dissipates energy as heat (opposes motion).

▪ Combining Elements: Systems can be modeled as combinations of these elements

(mass-spring-damper model).
MECHANICAL SYSTEM EXAMPLE
▪ Simple Mass-Spring-Damper System:

▪ Free Vibration: Solutions for undamped and damped systems.

SOLVE THE MODEL
▪ Undamped Free Vibration:

▪ Damped Free Vibration:

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF VIBRATION
MODELS
▪ Automotive Engineering: Suspension systems are designed using mass-spring-
damper models to ensure ride comfort and safety.
▪ Civil Engineering: Buildings and bridges are modeled for vibration responses to
seismic activity.
▪ Machinery: Reducing unwanted vibrations in mechanical parts and systems to
enhance durability.