MECHANICAL CONDITION MONITORING TUTORIALS

Part 1: Vibration of a SDOF System (page 20 in notes)

Q1
Determinethenaturalfrequencyandperiodictimefor amotorofmass5kgmountedon4
supportseachofstiffness10kN/m.
Solution
k=4xksupport=4x10=40[kN/m]

n=

k
40 103
=
=89.44 [ rad / s ]
m
5

Q2
Determinethestiffnessof3enginesupportsforacarenginesuchthatthere will beno
troublesomeresonancein theoperatingrangeoftheengine(mass= 60kg).
Note:operatingrangeofengine:6006000rev/min.
Solution
k=3xksupport
k
n=
k =m 2n
m
2
6000
k =60 2
=23687.05 [ kN /m ]
60

Q3
Determine the torsional natural frequency of a ships propeller and propeller shaft. The
propellershaftis5mlongand0.15mdiameter.Thepropellerhasamomentofinertiaof150
kgm2.Allow20%extrainertiafortheentrainedwater.G=80GN/m 2
Solution
l=5m,d=0.15m,
I=150+20%I=150x1.2=180kgm2

n=

k torsion
I

k torsion =

[ ]

GJ Nm
l rad

Wherethepolarmoment,J,is:
4

J=

d 4 ( 0.15 )
=
=0.0000497 [ Nm /rad ]
32
32

k torsion =
n=

80 109 0.0000497
Nm
=795200
5
rad

[ ]

k torsion
795200
=
=66.47 [ rad / s ]
I
180

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Q4
Determinethetransversenaturalfrequencyofaturbochargerofmass10kgmountedat
thecentreofasimplysupportedshaftoflength0.75manddiameter30mm.E =208
GN/m2

n=

k torsion
I

Q5
Amotorofmass25kgismountedon8springseachofstiffness0.6N/mmasshownin
FigQ5.Ignoringthemassoftheplatformonwhichthemotorismounted,determine:
i)thetotalstiffnessofthespringsinN/m
ii)thenaturalfrequencyofvibrationofthemotor,inHz.
Solution
i)
Springsareinparallel,hence:
k=8xkspring=8x0.6[N/mm]=8x0.6/103[N/m]=4800[N/m]
k
4800
ii)
n=
=
=13.86 [ rad /s ]
m
25

Q6.
Anelectricmotorofmass=20kgismountedonfourspringsasshowninFig Q6.Each
springhasastiffnessof15kN/m.
Determine:
i)Thenaturalfrequencyofthesystem
ii)Theperiodictime
Solution
i)

Inparallel:k=4xkspring=4x15[kN/m]=60[kN/m]

k
600 00
=
=54.78 [ rad / s ]
m
20
2
2
T= =
=0.114 sec
n 54.78

ii)

n=

iii)

Q7.
A mass of 20kg is hung vertically by three springs connected in series, as shown in Fig
7. Determine:
(i) The total stiffness of the three springs;
(ii) The natural frequency of vibration (fn) of the mass in Hz.
(iii) The combined extension of the three springs due to the hung mass.
Solution
i)

Springsareinseries,hence:
1 1 1 1
= + +
k k1 k2 k3

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1 1 1 1
= + +
k 65 25 20
k=9.5kN

ii)
iii)

k
9.5 103
n=
=
=21.79 [ rad /s ]
m
20
Forcethrougheachspring=weight=mg
F=kX
mg=kX
X=mg/k=20x9.81/95000=0.021m
Wherekistheequivalentspringstiffnessinseries

PART2:VIBRATIONISOLATION
Q1.
A refrigerator unit of mass 29.4 kg is to be supported on three springs of
stiffness k each. If the unit operates at 580 rev/min, what should be the
value of the spring stiffness be if only 10% of the vibratory force of the
unit is to be transmitted to the structure. (ans: 3.287 kN/m)
Solution:

10% of the applied force is transmitted to the structure through the three
springs, hence,
Transmissibility: TR = 10% = 0.1
The derived equation for transmissibility for a single degree of freedom
system having viscous damping, C, and stiffness, k, is (page 35 notes):

TR=

Ft
1+ ( 2r )2
=
2
Fo
( 1r 2 ) + ( 2 r )2

Where
r is the ratio of the forced frequency to the refrigeration units natural
frequency

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r=

and (= C/CC) is the damping ratio.

The refrigeration unit is supported by three springs with no viscous
damping. Hence,
C=0 = 0
For an undamped system the transmissibility expression reduces to:

TR=

Ft
1
1
=
=
2
2 2
Fo
( 1r ) 1r

From the above equation one can deduce that when <n r < 1 , and
the transmitted force, Ft, has the same sign as the applied force, F o, and is
in phase with it.
When > n r > 1, the transmitted force, Ft, has the opposite sign to
the applied force, Fo, that is it is out of phase.

TR= 0.1=
1r 2 =

1
1r 2

1
= 10
0.1

1r 2 =10

r2 cannot be negative hence TR is negative (=-10 rather than +10),

1r 2 =10
r 2=11
r 2=11

To calculate the stiffness such that only 10% is transmitted to the

supporting structure, the natural frequency has to be calculated:

n=

k
k =m 2n
m

2
2 ( 2
2
r
n= 2 r =11 )
n
r
2

( )

RPM
580 2
/ 60
2

k =m

rad
s

[ ]

( )
N
=29.4 =9859.795
2
11
m
r

Note that the response of the system to external disturbances is

dependent on the equivalent stiffness and the equivalent damping. These
are the ones that determine the natural frequency and the transmissibility
and visa versa. In this case, the stiffness of the system is the combined
effects of the stiffness of the three springs in parallel:

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k 9859.795
k spring = =
=3287 [ N / m] 3.287 [ kN /m ]
3
3

Q2.
An engine of mass 180 kg is to be supported on four biblical springs.
When the engine speed is 900 rev/min, there is a primary vertical periodic
disturbing force of maximum value 300 N due to the unbalanced
reciprocating weights, Assuming that the engine vibrates in the vertical
direction with no horizontal or angular movement., determine the stiffness
of each spring to limit the maximum total periodic force in the foundations
to 20 N what will be the amplitude to vibration of the engine, when the
speed is 450 rev/min. Give the phase angle.
(ans: 25 kN/m; 1mm antiphase)
Solution
Find k
m=180 kg, k =4 x kspring, Fo=300 N, Ft=20 N @ N=900 RPM
= 0 (no damping)
Transmission Ratio, TR (page 35 notes):

TR=
TR=

Ft
20
1
=
=
Fo
300
15

1
2
1r

1
1
=
15 1r 2

15=1r 2 r 2=1 ( 15 )
r2 has to be greater than zero, therefore TR has to be negative:

r 2=1(15 ) =16
To calculate the stiffness, the natural frequency has to be calculated:

n=
r2

k
k =m 2n
m

2
2
2n= 2 ( r 2=16 )
n
r

( )

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RPM
900 2
/60

rad
s

2
2
( )
N
k =m 2 =180 =99929.75
16
m
r

[ ]

k 99929.75
k spring = =
=24982.43 [ N /m ] 24.982 [ kN /m ]
4
4

Find X and @ N=450 RPM

X=

Fo/ k

Fo/ k

( 1r ) +( 2 r ) ( 1r )
2 2

2 2

Fo / k
1r

The forcing frequency is 450 RPM, r is now:

2

r=

2
r = 2
n
n

k 99929.75
2n= =
=555.16
m
180

r 2=

2
=
2n

2 2
60
=4
555.16

450

X=

300 / 99929.75 300 /99929.75

=
=0.001 m1 mm
14
3

tan 1 =0 =180 out of phase since X <0

Q3.
A vertical engine of mass 108 kg is mounted on vibration isolating blocks. The natural
frequency of vibration of the system is 440 cycles per minute and the coefficient if damping is
1022 N.s/m. Estimate:
a) the amplitude of vibration when a sinusoidal force of peak value 133 N at 700 cycles per
minute acts on the engine;
b) the periodic force transmitted to the foundation.
(ans: 0.3706 mm; 89.41N)
SOLUTION
m=108 kg, Nn=440 RPM, C=1022 N.s/m
X=?? If Fo=133 N @ N=700 RPM

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X=

Fo/ k

( 1r ) +( 2 r )
2 2

To calculate the amplitude, X, one needs to calculate the frequency ratio, r, the damping ratio,
, and the stiffness, k.
The frequency ration, r, is:

r=

2
2
2 ( 700 2 /60 ) ( 700 )
r = 2=
=
=2.53
n ( 440 2 /60 )2 ( 440 )2
2

r=1.59
The equivalent stiffness of the isolating blocks, k, can be found from the natural frequency,
n:

n=

k
k =m 2n
m

k =m 2n=108

( 2 60440 )=4976.28 [ N / m ]

The damping coefficient =CC/C, where, CC, is the critical damping coefficient and has the
value:

CC = m k= 108 4976.28=733.1
=

CC 733.1
=
=0.717<1
C 1022

The system is under-damped

The amplitude of the vibration, X, is therefore,

X=

Fo/ k

133/ 4976.28

( 1r ) +( 2 r ) ( 12.53 ) +( 2 0.717 1.59 )

2 2

Q4.
The figure shows a body of mass 10 kg located between two supports A and B by means if 4
springs and a dashpot. The stiffness of each spring is 1 kN/m. Given that when the body is
subjected to a sinusoid ally varying force of the form 100cos 25t N, the amplitude is 5 mm,
determine:
i) the dashpot damping coefficient;
ii) the amplitude of the force on the support A;
iii) the phase angle between the peak impressed force and peak displacement.

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(ans: 794.9 Ns/m; 99.865 N; 96.5o)

Q5
An engine of mass 450 kg is supported by four springs. At an engine an engine speed of 1000
rev/min there is primary vertical disturbing force of maximum value 360 N due to unbalanced
reciprocating masses. Considering the effect of this disturbing alone, and ignoring damping,
determine:
a) the stiffness of each spring such that the dynamic force transmitted will be limited, to 45 N
(ans: 137.08 kN/m)
b) the amplitude of vibration at an engine speed of 750 rev/min (ans: 0.09091 mm)

Q6
A refrigerator unit of mass 42 kg is to be supported on four vertical springs in parallel, each of
which has a stiffness k,. The unit operates at 600 rev/min, and only 10% of the shaking force
of the unit is to be transmitted to the supporting structure.
a) Calculate the spring stiffness k (ans: 3.77 kN/m)
b) Describe the effect of damping on the above system, stating how it might be applied.

Q7
In a vertical reciprocating engine of mass 360 kg and running at 300 rev/min, the unbalanced
inertia force is given by 340cos2t (N), where is the running speed in rad/s.

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The engine is to be mounted on spring supports and a viscous damping force is to be provided
by a dashpot. The natural frequency of the system is to be 2.5 Hz and the amplitude of the
vibration under running conditions is to be limited to 0.25 mm. Determine:
a) the required damping coefficient of the dashpot (ans: 4.25 kNs/m)
b) the force which will be transmitted to the foundation (ans: 70.9 N)

PART 3: ROLLING ELEMENT BEARING FAULTS DIAGNOSIS

Q1.
The vibration spectrum of a 1000rpm machine shows peaks at the following frequencies: 17,
95, 97, 114, and 132 Hz. The machine runs on rolling element bearings with ten rollers of 16
mm diameter, 0 contact angle, and 112-mm pitch diameter.
Investigate possible causes.
Solution Procedure
Step 1: Calculate all fault frequencies, sidebands, and 1 st, 2nd, and 3rd harmonics
Step 2: compare the calculated fault frequencies to frequencies appearing in the spectrum
Step 3: matched frequencies correspond to the faulty component

PART 4: SHAFT FAULT DIAGNOSTICS

Q1.
A turbine shaft has a high level of vibration. A frequency spectrum at the running speed 3600
rpm shows a peak at 60 Hz, a larger one at 120 Hz, and substantial components at 180 and
240 Hz. The rotor critical speeds are known to be 2500 and 6000 rpm.
Comment on the cause of vibration.
Solution Procedure

Q2.
A turbo compressor shaft has a high level of vibration. A frequency spectrum at the running
speed 3600 rpm shows a peak at 60 Hz and some smaller components at 180 and 300 Hz.
The rotor critical speeds are known to be 2500 and 6000 rpm. Comment on the cause of
vibration.

PART 5: GEAR FAULT DIAGNOSIS

Q1.

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The dryers in a paper machine are running at a speed of 3.26 Hz. The dryer gears have 96
teeth, which are in mesh with the idler gears having 52 teeth as shown in the figure below.
Determine:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)

How many times does the idler gear have to rotate before it meshes with the same
tooth of the dryer gear;
Which teeth in the dryer gear will be worn over a period of time if the idler gear
is slightly eccentric;
The expected life of the gear if the normal expected life of a properly meshed and
correctly mounted gear is 5 years;
What fractional gear mesh frequencies (GMF) are likely to be generated, if at
least one of the gears is eccentric consider the frequency range if up to second
harmonic of the GMF.

Idler Gear
T=52

Dryer Gear
T=96

Solution Procedure
i)
ii)

Hunting tooth frequency

The common factor

Q2.
A gearbox has a high level of vibration. There are two shafts connected with two gears with
20 and 35 teeth respectively. The first shaft runs at 3600 rpm. A frequency spectrum at the
running speed 3600 rpm shows a peak at 60 Hz, a larger peak at 35 Hz, and peaks at 1165,
1200, and 1235 Hz. Comment on the cause of vibration.

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PART6: OVERALL MACHINE VIBRATION

Q1.
The table below gives the peak vibration velocity obtained from the bearing point of
machines with different power rating. Assess the health condition of each machine.
(Proper assumptions may be made regarding the support and foundation).
Machine

Power Rating (kW)

Peak Velocity (mm/s)

Motor

10

Vacuum Blower

50

12

Centrifugal Pump

225

18

Turbine

600

16.1

Reciprocating Compressor

400

34

Q2.
The table below gives the details of displacement /acceleration amplitudes and frequency
of vibration from the bearing points. Assess the health condition of machine component
and determine the peak velocity for each set of readings.
Bearing Point

Amplitude- displacement in
Microns
(P-P)
or
Acceleration in gs (P)

Frequency in CPM

52 microns

3000

0.2 gs

20000

1.1 gs

50000

25 microns

10000

Q3.
Investigate for probable basic mechanical fault/faults from the following vibration readings.
Point

Shaft RPM

Peak Velocity
(mm/s)

Displacement PP
(microns)

Dominance of
Vibration

1000

12

230

Radial

1500

101

Axial

1000

22.5

216

Radial

2000

4.5

86

Radial

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DATASHEETS
micron = 10-3 mm , mils= 10-3 in
Additional data: http://www.mobiusinstitute.com/Alaram.aspx?id=1994

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