Undamped Free Vibration - 5.6.1 | 5. Degrees of Freedom and SDOF | Earthquake Engineering - Vol 1
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5.6.1 - Undamped Free Vibration

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Concept of Undamped Free Vibration

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're going to discuss undamped free vibration. Can anyone explain what we mean by 'undamped' in this context?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it means there are no forces acting on the system to slow it down or stop it?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! In an undamped system, there are no energy dissipation forces, allowing the system to oscillate indefinitely. Now, what is the governing equation for undamped free vibration?

Student 2
Student 2

Isn’t it something like u¨(t) plus some omega squared times u(t)?

Teacher
Teacher

Very close! It's u¨(t) + ω²u(t) = 0. Here, ω represents the natural frequency. And what do we derive from this equation?

Student 3
Student 3

That there will be a cosine and sine solution for the displacement over time?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! The general solution will indeed be of the form u(t) = A cos(ω t) + B sin(ω t), where A and B depend on the initial conditions. Let's highlight these solutions—what do they indicate about the state of the system?

Student 4
Student 4

That it keeps oscillating forever unless acted on by some external force!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This concept is fundamental as it gives insights into how structures might behave under oscillatory forces, like during earthquakes.

Understanding Motion and Frequency

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now let's talk about natural frequency. Who can define what it is in the context of undamped vibration?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it the frequency at which the system will naturally tend to oscillate?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The natural frequency indicates how fast a system vibrates when it’s disturbed from its position. Can anyone recall how we can find ω?

Student 2
Student 2

I think we can find it from the stiffness and mass of the system?

Teacher
Teacher

That's right! It's calculated as $ω = \sqrt{k/m}$, where k is the stiffness and m is the mass. Such relations help in understanding and analyzing structures efficiently. Why is it critical to know the natural frequency in engineering?

Student 3
Student 3

Because if the external load matches this frequency, it can cause resonance and extreme oscillations!

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! That's why understanding these oscillatory behaviors is essential in seismic design.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section discusses the concept of undamped free vibration in systems, providing the equation and solution for such motions.

Standard

Undamped free vibration refers to the motion of a system that oscillates without the influence of damping forces. The governing equation is presented, and its solution, which describes the motion of the system over time, is derived. This is fundamental for understanding basic vibrational behaviors in structural analysis.

Detailed

Undamped Free Vibration

In the realm of dynamics, undamped free vibration is a key concept that describes how a system oscillates when it is not subjected to any form of damping forces (energy dissipation). This section outlines the governing equation of motion for undamped systems, given as:

$$u¨(t) + ω²u(t) = 0$$

where:
- $u(t)$ indicates the displacement of the system over time,
- $ω$ is the natural frequency of the system.

The general solution to this equation is thus:
$$u(t) = A \cos(ω_n t) + B \sin(ω_n t)$$

where $A$ and $B$ are constants determined by the initial conditions of the system. The solutions illustrate periodic behavior, indicating that the system will perform harmonic motions at a constant amplitude indefinitely, which is critical for understanding the behavior of structures under certain loading conditions.

In summary, understanding undamped free vibration is foundational for analyzing the response of structures, especially in the context of seismic loads where damping effects might be minimal.

Audio Book

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Core Equation of Undamped Free Vibration

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The governing equation for undamped free vibration is given by:

u¨(t)+ω²u(t)=0

Detailed Explanation

The equation, u¨(t) + ω²u(t) = 0, describes undamped free vibration. Here, u(t) represents the displacement of the system over time, and ω (omega) is the natural frequency of the system. The term u¨(t) refers to the acceleration (the second derivative of displacement with respect to time). This equation reflects a situation where there is no damping present, meaning that energy losses (like friction or air resistance) do not affect the motion of the vibrating system. The absence of damping allows the system to oscillate indefinitely at its natural frequency unless acted upon by an outside force.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a child on a swing. When pushed, if there is no one to slow it down (like someone getting off the swing or friction with the air), the swing will continue to move back and forth. The speed and frequency of these swings depend on how far it was pushed and the swing's design (i.e., the properties of the system). In this analogy, the swing system oscillating represents an undamped free vibration.

General Solution of the Equation

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The general solution to the equation is expressed as:

u(t)=Acos(ω t)+Bsin(ω t)

Detailed Explanation

The general solution for the undamped free vibration equation, u(t) = Acos(ω t) + Bsin(ω t), represents the displacement of the system as a function of time. Here, A and B are constants determined by the initial conditions of the system (like the initial position and velocity). This solution indicates that the motion is periodic and will repeat itself, showing a combination of cosine and sine functions, which are fundamental to oscillatory motion. Essentially, Acos(ω t) accounts for the part of motion that starts from a maximum position, whereas Bsin(ω t) accounts for the part of motion that starts from rest.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a pendulum swinging. At the highest point of the swing (maximum displacement), the pendulum can be represented by the cosine function starting at its peak, and as it moves through the lowest point (maximum speed), the sine function kicks in. The constant A represents how far the pendulum swings (its amplitude), while B relates to how quickly it starts moving from that peak position. Regardless of the pendulum's starting point or speed, summarizing its motion using these functions allows for predicting future positions over time.

Natural Frequency Definition

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The natural frequency (ω) is defined as:

ω = √(k/m)

Detailed Explanation

The natural frequency, represented by the symbol ω, is crucial in understanding the dynamics of oscillatory systems. It is defined as the square root of the stiffness of the system (k) divided by its mass (m). This relationship illustrates that a stiffer system (higher k) or a lighter system (lower m) will oscillate more quickly, meaning it has a higher natural frequency. If either parameter changes, the natural frequency adjusts accordingly, impacting how the system responds to dynamic loads. The insight into natural frequency is invaluable; it helps engineers design structures that can withstand dynamic forces like earthquakes.

Examples & Analogies

Think about a trampoline: if it's very tightly stretched (high stiffness), it will bounce back more quickly when you jump on it (higher natural frequency). Conversely, a heavier person (increasing mass) will experience a different bounce characteristic than a lighter person. This illustrates the mass-stiffness relationship: the balance between how 'tight' the system is against how much 'weight' it has directly determines the speed of its vibrations.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Undamped Free Vibration: Motion characterized by oscillation without damping forces.

  • Natural Frequency (ω): Frequency at which a system freely vibrates.

  • Equation of Motion: Mathematical representation of the dynamics in a vibrating system.

  • Solution of Motion: The displacement can be expressed as a combination of sine and cosine functions.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • A mass attached to a spring oscillates when displaced from its equilibrium position, demonstrating undamped free vibration.

  • In a pendulum swing, if there's no air resistance or friction, it exemplifies undamped free vibration.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In motions that don’t fade away, vibrations sway, they dance and play.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a pendulum in a silent room, swinging back and forth forever, not losing any energy—this is how undamped systems operate, capturing the essence of constant motion.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • For the equation of motion, remember: U plus omega squared times U equals zero – U² = 0 for uniform unity.

🎯 Super Acronyms

UFO - Undamped Free Oscillation; helps recall the basic concepts of undamped oscillations.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Undamped Free Vibration

    Definition:

    The motion of a system oscillating without dissipation of energy, characterized by its natural frequency.

  • Term: Natural Frequency (ω)

    Definition:

    The frequency at which a system tends to oscillate in the absence of damping.

  • Term: Equation of Motion

    Definition:

    A mathematical expression that describes the dynamics of a system, including forces and motions.

  • Term: Amplitude

    Definition:

    The maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position of equilibrium.