Name : Balasubramaniyan K

Department : Artifical Intelligence and Data Science

Year : Second Year
Labsheet 2
Course Code : 23AID201
Course Name: Modeling Simulation and Analysis
Exp. No. : 3 Modelling and Simulation of a Translational Mechanical System using
Simulink and Simscape
AIM:
To model and simulate a translational mechanical system using Simulink and
Simscape, and to study its displacement response to a step input force.
SOFTWARE / TOOLS USED:
• MATLAB
• Simulink
• Simscape
THEORY:
A translational mechanical system consists of mechanical elements that exhibit
linear motion. The most common example is the mass–spring–damper system,
which is widely used to model vibrations and mechanical dynamics in engineering
systems.
In this system:

❖ The mass (m) resists acceleration due to its inertia.

❖ The spring (k) exerts a restoring force proportional to displacement.

❖ The damper (c) dissipates energy and resists motion proportional to velocity.

❖ An external force (F) is applied to drive the system.

In this experiment:

❖ Mass, m = 1.0 kg

❖ Damping coefficient, c = 6 N·s/m

❖ Spring stiffness, k = 80 N/m

❖ Applied force, F(t) = 5 N

The system is excited by a step force input, and its response is measured in terms
of displacement. The displacement response consists of transient and steady-state
components. The transient response occurs immediately after the force is applied
and gradually decays because of damping. The steady-state response corresponds
to the final displacement reached by the mass.
Depending on the value of damping, the system may behave as:

❖ Underdamped: Oscillatory response with gradual decay.

❖ Critically damped: Fastest response without oscillation.

❖ Overdamped: Slow response without oscillation.

Using Simscape in Simulink allows the system to be modeled using physical
components such as mass, spring, damper, force source, and motion sensor,
enabling realistic simulations of real-world mechanical systems.
COMPONENTS USED IN SIMULINK MODEL:

Component Library Description

Step Simulink → Sources Generates 5 N input force

Simulink-PS Converts Simulink to

Simscape → Utilities
Converter physical signal

Simscape → Foundation →
Ideal Force Source Mechanical → Translational Applies external force
Sources

Simscape → Foundation →
Represents mass m = 1.0
Mass Mechanical → Translational
kg
Elements

Simscape → Foundation →
Translational Damper Mechanical → Translational Damping c = 6 N·s/m
Elements
Component Library Description

Simscape → Foundation →
Translational Spring Mechanical → Translational Spring k = 80 N/m
Elements

Simscape → Foundation →
Ideal Translational
Mechanical → Translational Measures displacement
Motion Sensor
Sensors

PS-Simulink Converts physical signal

Simscape → Utilities
Converter to Simulink

Displays displacement
Scope Simulink → Sinks
output

Mechanical Simscape → Foundation →

Provides mechanical
Translational Mechanical → Translational
ground
Reference Elements

Manages simulation
Solver Configuration Simscape → Utilities solver for physical
systems

PROCEDURE:
Step 1: Open a New Simulink Model

❖ Open MATLAB → Simulink → Create New Model.

Step 2: Create Step Input Force
Insert a Step block and configure:

❖ Step Time = 0

❖ Initial Value = 0

❖ Final Value = 5
Step 3: Signal Conversion
❖ Insert a Simulink-PS Converter and connect it to the Step block.
Step 4: Add Ideal Force Source

❖ Connect Simulink-PS Converter output to S port of Ideal Force Source.

❖ Connect C port to a Mechanical Translational Reference block.

Step 5: Add Mechanical Elements
• Add:

❖ Mass (Set to 1.0 kg)

❖ Translational Spring (Set to 80 N/m)

❖ Translational Damper (Set to 6 N·s/m)

• Arrange the Spring and Damper in parallel and connect them to the Mass block.
Step 6: Add Sensor and Scope

❖ Insert Ideal Translational Motion Sensor.

❖ Connect R and C ports across the Mass and Spring-Damper system.

❖ Connect P port to a PS-Simulink Converter and then to a Scope.

Step 7: Solver and Grounding

❖ Add Solver Configuration and connect it to the Simscape network.

❖ Ensure all floating terminals are connected to Mechanical Translational

Reference.
Step 8: Simulation Settings

❖ Go to: Simulation → Model Settings.

❖ Solver Type: ode23t (stiff/TR-BDF2)

❖ Simulation Stop Time: 10 seconds

Step 9: Run the Simulation
❖ Click Run in the Simulink window.

❖ Observe the displacement response in the Scope.

OBSERVATION:

❖ The displacement initially increases due to the applied step force.

❖ Oscillations are present during the transient period.

❖ The oscillations gradually decrease because of damping.

❖ The system eventually reaches a constant displacement value.

❖ The response indicates an underdamped system.

RESULT:
The translational mechanical system was successfully modeled and simulated
using Simulink and Simscape. The displacement response of the mass under a 5 N
step input force was obtained and analyzed. The transient and steady-state
responses were observed, and the effect of damping on the system behavior was
studied successfully.
Exp. No. : 3
MODELLING AND SIMULATION OF A TRANSLATIONAL MECHANICAL
SYSTEM USING SIMULINK AND SIMSCAPE
AIM:
To develop and simulate a translational mass–spring–damper system using
MATLAB Simulink and Simscape and to study its dynamic response under a
harmonic force excitation.
SOFTWARE / TOOLS USED:
• MATLAB
• Simulink
• Simscape
THEORY:
A translational mechanical system consists of mechanical elements that exhibit
linear motion. The mass–spring–damper system is widely used to analyze vibration
and dynamic behavior in mechanical and engineering applications.
In this system:

❖ The mass (m) resists acceleration due to its inertia.

❖ The spring (k) provides a restoring force proportional to displacement.

❖ The damper (c) dissipates energy and opposes motion proportional to velocity.

❖ An external harmonic force acts on the system and produces oscillatory motion.
In this experiment:

❖ Mass, m = 2 kg

❖ Damping coefficient, c = 10 N·s/m

❖ Spring stiffness, k = 150 N/m

❖ Initial displacement, x(0) = 0.2 m

❖ Initial velocity, v(0) = 0 m/s

❖ Applied force, F(t) = 20sin(5t)

The system is subjected to a harmonic force excitation. The response of the system
is observed in terms of displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Due to the
presence of damping, the oscillations gradually reduce and the system reaches a
steady-state response.
Depending on the amount of damping present, the system may behave as:

❖ Underdamped: Oscillatory response with gradual decay.

❖ Critically damped: Fastest response without oscillation.

❖ Overdamped: Slow response without oscillation.

For the given parameters, the system exhibits an underdamped response because
the damping present is less than the critical damping required for the system.
Using Simulink and Simscape enables realistic modeling and simulation of
translational mechanical systems using physical components such as mass, spring,
damper, force source, and sensors.
COMPONENTS USED IN SIMULINK MODEL:

Component Library Description

Generates harmonic
Sine Wave Simulink → Sources
input force

Simulink-PS Converts Simulink

Simscape → Utilities
Converter signal to physical signal

Simscape → Foundation →
Ideal Force Source Mechanical → Translational Applies external force
Sources
Component Library Description

Simscape → Foundation →
Represents mass m = 2
Mass Mechanical → Translational
kg
Elements

Simscape → Foundation →
Translational Damper Mechanical → Translational Damping c = 10 N·s/m
Elements

Simscape → Foundation →
Translational Spring Mechanical → Translational Spring k = 150 N/m
Elements

Simscape → Foundation →
Ideal Translational Measures displacement
Mechanical → Translational
Motion Sensor and velocity
Sensors

PS-Simulink Converts physical signal

Simscape → Utilities
Converter to Simulink

Displays output
Scope Simulink → Sinks
response

Mechanical Simscape → Foundation →

Provides mechanical
Translational Mechanical → Translational
ground
Reference Elements

Manages simulation
Solver Configuration Simscape → Utilities
solver

PROCEDURE:
Step 1: Open a New Simulink Model

❖ Open MATLAB → Simulink → Create New Model.

Step 2: Create Harmonic Input Force
Insert a Sine Wave block and configure:
❖ Amplitude = 20

❖ Frequency = 5 rad/s

❖ Bias = 0

❖ Phase = 0
Step 3: Signal Conversion

❖ Insert a Simulink-PS Converter and connect it to the Sine Wave block.

Step 4: Add Ideal Force Source

❖ Connect the Simulink-PS Converter output to the S port of the Ideal Force
Source.

❖ Connect the C port to a Mechanical Translational Reference block.

Step 5: Add Mechanical Elements
• Add:

❖ Mass (Set to 2 kg)

❖ Translational Spring (Set to 150 N/m)

❖ Translational Damper (Set to 10 N·s/m)

• Arrange the Spring and Damper in parallel and connect them to the Mass block.
Step 6: Set Initial Conditions

❖ Set Initial Displacement = 0.2 m

❖ Set Initial Velocity = 0 m/s

Step 7: Add Sensor and Scope

❖ Insert an Ideal Translational Motion Sensor.

❖ Connect the R and C ports across the Mass and Spring-Damper system.
❖ Connect the displacement and velocity outputs to PS-Simulink Converters and
then to Scopes.
Step 8: Solver and Grounding

❖ Add Solver Configuration and connect it to the Simscape network.

❖ Ensure all floating terminals are grounded using Mechanical Translational

Reference.
Step 9: Simulation Settings

❖ Go to: Simulation → Model Settings

❖ Solver Type: ode23t (stiff/TR-BDF2)

❖ Simulation Stop Time: 30 seconds

Step 10: Run the Simulation

❖ Click Run in the Simulink window.

❖ Observe the displacement, velocity, and acceleration responses in the Scope.

OBSERVATION:

❖ The displacement initially oscillates due to the harmonic excitation.

❖ Velocity and acceleration also exhibit oscillatory behavior.

❖ The oscillations gradually decrease because of damping.

❖ The system reaches a steady-state oscillatory response.

❖ The damping present reduces excessive vibrations and improves system

stability.

❖ The system exhibits an underdamped response.

RESULT:
Thus, the translational mass–spring–damper system was successfully modeled and
simulated using MATLAB Simulink and Simscape. The displacement, velocity,
and acceleration responses were obtained for the given harmonic force input. The
system was found to be underdamped, and the effect of harmonic excitation on the
system response was successfully studied.