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Vibrations 3, MENG31301

Part A: Vibration of Continuous Systems - Examples Sheet 1


Axial Vibrations:

1. Derive the general solution for axial vibration of a uniform bar. Hence find the
natural frequencies and mode shapes for a bar which is free at both ends.

2. An axially-vibrating system consists of n rigid masses of mass m, connected by


n − 1 springs each of stiffness k. If n ≫ 1, this system may be modelled as a
uniform bar of length l and cross-sectional area A made from a material of density
ρ and Young’s modulus E. Find expressions relating the stiffness and mass of the
bar to those of the multi-degree-of-freedom system. (Hint: it is perhaps easier
to think about how the bar might be split into a multi-degree-of-freedom system
than vice versa)
An ore-train consisting of 100 trucks, each weighing 30 tonnes is close-coupled such
that the buffers are in a state of compression. Each truck has a pair of buffers at
each end. Each buffer has an effective spring stiffness of 1.2 × 106 N/m.
Assuming that the buffers have sufficient pre-compression that they do not sep-
arate, calculate the fundamental longitudinal natural frequency of the system by
approximating it to a continuous system.

3. Find the transcendental equation for the natural frequencies of a bar which is fixed
to rigid mounting points via flexible couplings as shown in figure 1. These couplings
may be modelled as springs with a stiffness kNm−1 . Check the transcendental
equation by considering the cases where k → ∞ and the ends become fixed (see
lecture notes for the natural frequencies of a fixed-fixed bar) and where k = 0 and
the ends become free (see question 1).

l
k k

AE

Figure 1:

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MENG31301 Vibrations 3
Torsional Vibrations:

4. Using the standard solution to the torsional equation of motion for a uniform bar:
ω ω
! " # " #$
θ(x, t) = G(t)F (x) = A sin x + B cos x [C sin (ωt) + D cos (ωt)]
c c
where c2 = G/ρ, derive the transcendental equation for ω when the rod is fixed at
one end and connected to a lumped inertia J at the other.
Use this equation to obtain the first natural frequency of a router bit shown in
figure 2, where the shaft diameter is 6 mm and shaft length is 25 mm, the cutter
diameter is 32 mm and depth is 13 mm. (Note: Since the router motor inertia is
far larger than the router bit inertia the end of the router bit may be thought of
as fixed) The router bit has two cutting faces and the router speed is 10000 rpm,
will this forcing function excite the torsional natural frequencies of the bit?
The polar moment of inertia for a cylinder is ρπr 4 h/2 where r is the radius and h
is the height of the cylinder and the second polar moment of area of a cylinder is
pir 4 /3. For steel G = 80 × 109 Nm−2 and ρ = 7850kg m−3 .

Chuck

Shaft

Chuck

Cutter

(a) (b)

Figure 2:

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MENG31301 Vibrations 3

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