International Journal of Engineering Studies

ISSN 0975- 6469 Volume 2, Number 1 (2010), pp. 45–48

© Research India Publications
http://www.ripublication.com/ijes.htm

Frequency of Vibration Affecting Crack Location and

Crack Growth Rate of a Vibrating Cantilever Beam

RS. Prasad1, SC. Roy2, KP Tyagi3 and MN. Khan4

1,3,4
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Krishna Institute of Engineering and Technology, Ghaziabad
Email: ravk077@gmail.com
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, BIT, Sindri

Abstract

Using accelerometer, values of variables V, B, F, and D were recorded for a

vibrating cantilever beam. Data were recorded for frequencies 60 Hz, 80 Hz,
100 Hz, and 120 Hz. Considering, crack growth rate as an additional variable,
a mathematical model was developed using dimensional analysis. Assuming
order of value of G initially, the values of dimensional groups were calculated
along the beam. The values of dimensional groups were further plotted and
analyzed to find out the effect of frequency on the determination of crack
location and crack growth rate along the beam.

Keywords: Cantilever Beam, Crack Location, Crack Growth Rate, Vibration,

Accelerometer, Frequency.

Introduction
Frequency of vibration has remarkable effect on determination of crack location and
crack growth rate along a vibrating cantilever beam. It is very important to introduce a
controlled vibration into a cantilever beam system. The input vibration varies in
frequency, velocity, and crack growth rate at different position from free end towards
fixed end.
In the recent past it has been observed that both crack location and crack depth has
noticeable effect on the modal parameters of the cracked beam [1]. The transverse
crack is also modeled in a beam as rotational spring having stiffness of negligible
mass [2]. For the computational convenience lumped mass matrix instead of
consistent mass matrix is considered. The applications of Wavelet Transform to detect
crack-like damage in structures are demonstrated. [3, 4].
46 RS. Prasad et al

Several methodologies have been developed for the understanding of crack

propagation under mixed loading. For example, crack extension stability was studied
by Cotterell [5, 6] applying Eigen-function series expansion.

Mathematical Model
As there are many interdependent variables involved, the observation for variation of
one variable with respect to others was not possible. To overcome the above
difficulty, the theory of dimensional analysis approach has been utilized to obtain
relationship between parameters.

Various parameters considered for present investigation were:

S. No. Variables (Forced Vibration) Symbols Dimensions

1 Velocity of Vibration V L T-1
2 Force per cross sectional area W M L-1 T-2
3 Distance of crack from fixed end B L
4 Frequency of the force per fixing length F L-1 T-1
5 Distance of the accelerometer from the free end D L
6 Crack growth per unit time G L T-1

Here, the total number of variables = 6, number of fundamental units = 3, number

of dimensionless group = 3, functional relationship, φ(V, W, D, F, B, G) = 0. The
derived groups were, V/(D2.F), B/D and G/(D2.F)
The values of V/(D2.F), B/D and G/(D2.F) were calculated for fixing length of 400
mm and at frequency of 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz. Graphs were plotted for the
specimens under forced vibration and were observed to find the effect of frequency on
determination of crack location and crack growth rate.

Experimental Work
A setup was fabricated and installed to mount the machined and heat-treated
specimens. Experiments were conducted to record the observed values of velocity of
vibration at different values of B, F and D. Steels were preferred over other materials
because it is possible to control its mechanical properties. Specimens were considered
for the present investigation with a dimensional value of 500mm x 50mm x 12mm.
Horizontal grinding machine and abrasive cutter was used to shape the material.
Specimens were further processed through heat treatment process using automatic
muffle furnace. Fig.(1) represents the experimental setup. Specimen positioned as a
cantilever beam over a base made of bricks and cement. A vibration generator was
positioned below the beam to generate different frequency. Accelerometer was placed
over the beam to observe the experimental values. Graphs were plotted to characterize
the behavior of vibrating cantilever beam.
Frequency of Vibration Affecting Crack Location 47

Figure 1: Block Diagram of Forced Vibration Experimental Setup.

Results and Discussions

Calculated values of dimensional groups for different locations of the accelerometer
along the beam from free end were plotted as shown in Fig.2 at frequency of 60 Hz,
80 Hz, 100 Hz and 120 Hz.

Figure 2: Variation of the dimensional Figure 3: Values of dimensional groups

group G/(D2.F) and V/(D2.F) along the V/(D2.F), B/D, G/(D2.F) at 60 Hz, 80 Hz,
beam. 100 Hz, 120 Hz along the vibrating
cantilever beam.

Relationship between three variables can be found out using graphs drawn for
values of G/D2.F and V/D2.F with respect to B/D as shown in Fig.2. It can be
observed that between values 1 and 2 of B/D in Fig.2, slope of curve changes
differently. Change in behavior of curve characterizes different material distribution
within range and distinct zone was found very close to actual crack location. Value of
V/D2.F decreasing along beam from free end.
48 RS. Prasad et al

The value of all three-dimensional groups were calculated and plotted for different
position of accelerometer along beam from free end as shown in Fig.3. Fig.3 can also
be used to find co-relationship between three-dimensional groups. Change in values
of G/D2.F and V/D2.F were observed between 100mm and 200mm from free end of
beam in Fig.3.
From both Fig.2 and Fig.3 crack growth rate along beam observed increasing. The
effect of frequency on calculated value of dimensional group can be observed in Fig2
as well as Fig.3 significantly.

Conclusion
Determination of crack location has no effect due to the change in the frequency of
vibration, but the values of dimensional groups has remarkable influence due to
frequency value change. Crack growth rate increases with increase in frequency of
vibration and also increases along the beam from free end.

References
[1] A. K. Batabyal, P. Sankar and T. K. Paul “Crack Detection in Cantilever Beam
using Vibration Response”, ‘Vibration Problems ICOVP-2007’, Springer
Netherlands, ‘ISBN: 978-1-4020-9091-2 (print), p 27-33, Oct. 09, 2008.
[2] S.Chinchalkar. Determination of Crack Location in Beams using Natural
Frequencies. Journal of Sound and Vibration 247(3), pp 417-429, 2001.
[3] A.V.Ovanesova, L.E.Suarez. Applications of Wavelet Transforms to Damage
Detection in Frame Structure. Engineering Structure, Vol 26, pp 39-49, 2004.
[4] Hansang Kim, Hani Melhem. Damage Detection of Structures by Wavelet
Analysis. Engineering Structure, Vol 26, pp 347-362, 2004.
[5] B. Cotterell, 1965, On brittle fracture paths, Int. J. Fract. Mech. I, pp. 96-103.
[6] B. Cotterell. 1966, Notes on the paths and stability of cracks, Int. J. Fract.
Technol. 2, pp. 526-533.