Forced vibration of 2 degree of freedom system

Forced vibration of two degrees of freedom system

Theory
Learning objectives
After completing this simulation experiment one should be able to

Model a given real system to an equivalent simplified two degree system and studying
its free vibration and forced vibration response with suitable assumptions /
idealisations.
Calculate the natural frequency vibration and the amplitude of vibration for the give
excitation force of given two degree freedom system.

Forced vibration of 2 degree of freedom system

Introduction
Analysing real system as a single degree system is an approximate assumption. Because real
system has more than just one degree of freedom and are also very rarely linear. It requires
several degrees of freedom for a meaningful model. Hence a simple 1DOF systems analysis
is not much helpful in studying the characteristics of the system. A natural extension of single
degree of freedom system is to consider the system as two degree of freedom models.
A System that requires two independent coordinates to describe their motion is called
two degree-of-freedom systems. Some practical examples of two degree freedom systems
shown in Fig 2, like as forging hammer anvil supported in its base, which in turn is
supported on ground isolators, a reciprocating engine with a damper, a relatively light shaft
with two disks as in a turbocharger rotor, a generator driving a motor through a coupling. For
a two degree of freedom system there are two equations of motion, each one describing the
motion of one of the degrees of freedom. In general, the two equations are in the form of
coupled differential equations.

Fig 1: Two DOF systems modelling of a forging hammer

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Forced vibration of 2 degree of freedom system

Fig 2: Two DOF system modelling of a motor generator set up.

A simplified two degree of freedom system is shown in Fig 3. The motion of the
system is completely described by the coordinates and x1(t) and x2 (t) which defines the
positions of the masses m1 and m2 at any time t from the respective equilibrium positions. The
external F1 (t) and F2(t) respectively. The free-body diagrams of the masses and are shown in
Fig. 1(b).

Fig 3: A two degree of freedom spring mass system

Equations of motion of 2 degree of freedom system are given by:

m1 x1 k1 x1 k2 ( x1 x2 ) F1 (t )
...(1)

m2 x2 k2 ( x2 x1 ) F2 (t )

...(2)

Free vibration analysis:

For the free-vibration analysis of the system shown in Fig 1, we set F1 (t) =F2(t) =0. The
equation 1 and 2 reduces to,
m1 x1 k1 x1 k2 ( x1 x2 ) 0
...(3)

m2 x2 k2 ( x2 x1 ) 0

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...(4)

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Forced vibration of 2 degree of freedom system

Let us assume the solutions for x1 and x2 under steady state conditions as harmonic
excitations with the same frequency and phase angle but with different amplitudes and are
given by,

x1 X1 sin(t ) and x2 X 2 sin(t )

...(5)

By substituting equation 5 in 3 and 4 we have,

k2 (k1 k2 ) X1 k2 X 2 0

k2 X1 (m2 2 k2 ) X 2 0

...(6)
.

..(7)

Natural frequency of vibration of the system found by solving equation 6 and 7 and is given
by,

1 (k k )m m1k2 )
n12 , n 2 2 1 2 2

2
m1m2

1/2

2
(k1 k2 )k2 k2 2 )
1 (k1 k2 )m2 m1k2 )

2
m1m2
m
m

1 2

Resonance occurs when the exciting frequency coincides with any one of the natural
frequency of the system.

Forced vibration analysis:

For the forced-vibration analysis of the system shown in Fig 3, the system is excited by either
of harmonic forcing functions F1 (t) and F2(t) or both. But for the specific case, we assume
the system is excited by harmonic force F1 (t) = F0 sin t.
The equation of motion of the two degree freedom system reduces to,
m1 x1 k1 x1 k2 ( x1 x2 ) F0 sin t
...(8)

m2 x2 k2 ( x2 x1 ) 0

...(9)

When harmonic forcing function acts on the system, the solution consist of transient part and
the steady state part. In steady state part the vibration of any point in the system take place
at the frequency of excitation. Let us assume , for the steady state , the solution as,
x1 X1 sin(t ) and x2 X 2 sin(t )
...(10)
Substituting equation 10 in 8 and 9, we will get,

m
1

k2 (k1 k2 ) X1 k2 X 2 F0

k2 X1 (m2 2 k2 ) X 2 0

...(11)
...(12)

By solving equation 11 and 12 we get,

X1

m2 2

m1m2 4 m1k2 m2 (k1 k2 ) 2 k1k2

...(5)

and

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Forced vibration of 2 degree of freedom system

X2

k2 F0
m1m2 m1k2 m2 (k1 k2 ) 2 k1k2
4

...(6)

The above two equations give the steady state amplitude of vibration of two masses
respectively as a function of forcing frequency .
Lets try to understand these equations by doing a few simple simulations, go to next tab
procedure to find out how to run the simulation to EXPLORE (expR) and to EXPERIMENT
(expT). A talking tutorial or a self-running demo with narration can be seen at EXPLAIN
(expN)

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