Page 2 of 6

Dynamic Systems 334 (308814 v1)

1.

End of Semester 1 Examinations, June 2007

Five railway iron ore wagons are coupled (Figure 1) and are located on a section of track
with a 1 in 250 downgrade (falls 1m for each 250 m travelled horizontally). The masses of
the wagons plus the ore they contain are, in their sequence, 41, 40, 43, 39 and 40 tonnes.
The elasticity of the four couplings is identical and estimated to be 530 kNm-1.
(a)

Use the Holzer method to show that one of the undamped natural frequencies of
longitudinal motion is 0.669128 Hz. {Note: Work with six significant figures.}
[10 Marks]

(b)

Sketch a diagram of the associated mode shape, clearly annotating the magnitudes
of the wagons. Choose the magnitude of wagon 1 to be 1 unit.
[3 Marks]

(c)

State unequivocally with which mode of longitudinal vibration this frequency is

associated (1st = lowest, 2nd=next higher, etc).
[2 Marks]

(d)

The last column of your Holzer table contains numbers that have a physical
interpretation. State clearly the physical interpretation.
[5 Marks]
[Total Marks 20]

k
41 t

k
40 t

k
43 t

39 t

Grade = 1 in 250 downward

Figure 1.

40 t

Page 3 of 6
Dynamic Systems 334 (308814 v1)

2. (a)

End of Semester 1 Examinations, June 2007

When a harmonic force of frequency is imposed on an elastically mounted mass, the

steady state amplitude response will be:

x(t ) = st F sin(t )
Show that the transmission ratio (the ratio of the magnitude of the force transmitted to the
support frame to the magnitude of the harmonic force applied to the mass) is:
2

Ftransmitted
F

1 + 2
N
2
2
2

+ 2

1
N N

[10 Marks]

(b) Figure 2 shows a direct coupled motor/centrifugal pump whose rotational speed is 1475
rpm. The motor-pump set is mounted on a rigid sub frame. In order to isolate any
vibration from the motor-pump set, the sub frame is mounted on vibration mounts in the
form of springs. The designer wishes to achieve a transmission ratio of 0.04. Given that
the motor/pump/sub frame assembly has a mass of 75 kg, select the appropriate spring
stiffness, k. Note that only two of the four springs are shown in Figure 2. Figure 3, on the
next page, may be used.
[10 Marks]
[Total Marks 20]
pump
motor

sub frame
k

Figure 2

Question 2 continued on next page.

Page 4 of 6
Dynamic Systems 334 (308814 v1)

End of Semester 1 Examinations, June 2007

Figure 3

3.

Three rotating masses are mounted on the same shaft. All have their centres of mass offset
from the axis of rotation. The plane of mass B is 1.34 m from the plane of mass A and the
plane of mass C is 3.3 m from the plane of mass A, on the same side as mass B. Two
balance masses, M1 and M2, are to be fitted, each with its centre of mass 195 mm from the
axis of rotation, in planes midway between A and B and between B and C respectively.
Determine the balance mass magnitudes and angular orientation relative to mass A.

Plane Mass Eccentricity of Angular Distance from

(kg)
mass centre
orientation
mass A
(mm)
(degrees)
(m)
A
13
270
0
0
M1
195
0.67
B
12
350
50
1.34
M2
195
2.32
C
18
150
140
3.30
[Total Marks 20]

Page 5 of 6
Dynamic Systems 334 (308814 v1)

4.

End of Semester 1 Examinations, June 2007

(a)

Explain the meaning of steady state frequency response.

[3 Marks]

(b)

Small amounts of viscous damping (say < 0.05 ) lead to a system natural frequency
very close to the undamped natural frequency. True or false?
[1 Mark]

(c)

A rigid rotating body is dynamically balanced when its axis of rotation coincides with
________________ (complete the sentence).
[2 Marks]

(d)

Sketch the mode shape of a fixed-fixed beam vibrating in its second transverse mode.
[2 Marks]

(e)

Explain why, at forcing frequencies well below resonance, a one-degree of freedom

spring-mass system acts like a pure spring.
[2 Marks]

(f)

A prismatic homogeneous cylindrical bar is vibrating naturally in torsion. How many

natural modes does it have?
[1 Mark]

(g)

How would you go about experimentally determining the whirl speeds of a shaft that
is disassembled from its machine and so cannot be spun in its own bearings?
[2 Marks]

(h)

For effective isolation of a vibrating machine from the structure to which it is attached
elastically, its elastic suspension must have a particular characteristic? State
succinctly the particular characteristic.
[2 Marks]

(i)

Steel has very little internal (hysteretic) damping compared to cast iron. True or false?
[1 Mark]

(j)

In vibration theory, what is the physical meaning given to eigenvalues and

eigenvectors?
[2 Marks]

(k)

In one sentence, state the difference between free and forced vibration.

[2 Marks]

[Total 20 Marks]

End of Examination Paper

Page 6 of 6
Dynamic Systems 334 (308814 v1)

End of Semester 1 Examinations, June 2007

FORMULA SHEET

fN =

1
2

k
m

fN =

k
I

1
2

fN =

I AIB

i = j 1

i =1

I
i

q
k
x& + x = 0 ; x&& + 2 N x& + 2N x = 0 ; x = Aet sin( t + )
m
m

=
q
q critical

q
k
; = N 1 2 ; N =
; fD =
2m
2
m
q

2 mk

1 x0
ln =
n xn

2
1

F =

Xk
=
F

1

1
N

2 2

+ 2
N

inert =

Xm
=
mr

X
=
U

r
=
e

N

1
N

2 2

+ 2
N

2
2
2
c

+ 1

N m N
N

2 y 2 y
=
c
x 2 t 2
2

1 + 4
N
2
2
+ 2
1
N N
2

disp =

GJ
l

GJ y
GJ x
; ky =
X
Y

j = j 1

k =

I x + I y + I z kx ky
k
ky kx + ky f 2

+
=0
x +
+
2
4
I z ( 2 )
Ix Iy
I x I y I z ( 2 )

kx =

x&& +

k ( I A + I B )

1
2

Q4.
(a)

The steady state frequency response is the constant amplitude sinusoidal

response that remains, after transients have decayed, when excited with an
ongoing sinusoidal input. Also known as the particular integral.

(b)

True.

(c)

a principal inertia axis.

(d)

Slope and displacement equal zero at both ends and one node in the centre of
the span. Left half out of phase with right half.

(e)

The force involved in accelerating the mass is very small compared to the
spring force and the spring force dominates.

(f)

Infinite.

(g)

Measure its transverse vibration frequencies by mounting on supports placed

in the same axial location as its bearings.

(h)

The natural frequency of the suspension must be well below the excitation
frequency.

(i)

True.

(j)

Eigenvalues are the natural frequencies. Eigenvectors are the mode shapes.

(k)

Forced vibration is the response to an external excitation whereas natural

vibration is the manifestation of the systems internal energy.