Dr.
Seda Öncü DAVAS
From «Paz, M., Leigh, W. (2006). Structural Dynamics: Theory and Computation,
Springer Science & Business Media.»
EXAMPLE 1
Determine the natural frequency of the beam-spring system shown in Fig. consisting
of a weight of W = 50.0 lb attached to a horizontal cantilever beam through the coil
spring k2. The cantilever beam has a thickness h = ¼ in, a width b=1 in. modulus of
elasticity E = 30 x 106 psi, and length L = 12.5 in. The coil spring has a stiffness k2 =¼
100 (lb/in).
EXAMPLE 1
Solution:
The deflection Δ at the free end of a uniform cantilever beam acted upon by a static
force P at the free end is given by
3EI
PL3
The corresponding spring constant k1 is then
P 3 EI
k1 3
L
where the cross-section moment of inertia I = 1/12bh3 (for a rectangular section).
Now, the cantilever and the coil spring of this system are connected as springs in
series. Consequently, the equivalent spring constant as given from Eq. is
1 1 1
k e k1 k 2
EXAMPLE 1
Solution:
Substituting corresponding numerical The natural frequency for this system is
values, we obtain
3
1 1 1 ke / m (m W / g and g 386 in/sec 2 )
in
4
I 1
12 4 768 37.5 386 / 50.0
3 30 10 6
17.01 rad/sec
k1 60 lb/in
12.53 768
1 1 1 1
f
ke 60 100 T 2
ke 37.5 lb/in 17.01
f 2.71 cps (cycles per second)
2
EXAMPLE 2
Consider the steel frame shown in Fig.(a) having a rigid horizontal member to which a
horizontal dynamic force is applied. As part of the overall structural design it is required to
determine the natural frequency of this structure. Two assumptions are made:
1. The masses of the columns are neglected.
2. The horizontal members are sufficiently rigid to prevent rotation at the tops of the columns.
These assumptions are not mandatory for the solution of the problem, but they serve to
simplify the analysis. Under these conditions, the frame may be modeled by the spring-mass
system shown in Fig.(b).
EXAMPLE 2
Solution:
The parameters of this model may be Note: A unit displacement of the top of a fixed
column requires a force equal to 12EI/L3.
computed as follows:
Therefore, the natural frequency
W 200 25 5000 lb 1 kg 1 10185 386
f
l 82.5 in 4 2 W 2 5000
E 30 106 psi f 4.46 cps
12 E(2 I ) 12 30 106 165
k
15 12
3 3
L
k 10185 lb/in
EXAMPLE 3
The elevated water tower tank with a capacity for 5000 gallons of water shown in
Fig.(a) has a natural period in lateral vibration of 1.0 sec when empty. When the tank
is full of water, its period lengthens to 2.2 sec. Determine the lateral stiffness k of the
tower and the weight W of the tank. Neglect the mass of the supporting columns (one
gallon of water weighs approximately 8.34 lb).
EXAMPLE 3
Solution:
In its lateral motion, the water tower is modeled by the simple oscillator shown in
Fig. (b) in which k is the lateral stiffness of the tower and m is the vibrating mass of
the tank.
(a) Natural frequency ωE (tank empty):
2 2 kg
E (a)
TE 1.0 W
(b) Natural frequency ωF (tank full of water)
Weight of water Ww:
Ww 5000 8.34 41700 lb
2 2 kg
F (b)
TF 1.0 W 41700
EXAMPLE 3
Solution:
Squaring Eqs. (a) and (b) and dividing correspondingly the left and right sides of
these equations, results in
2.22 W 41700
1.02 W
and solving for W
W 10860 lb
Substituting in Eq. (a), W = 10860 lb and g = 386 in/sec2, yields
2 k 386
1.0 10860
k 1110 lb/in
EXAMPLE 4
The steel frame shown in Fig. (a) is fixed at the base and has a rigid top W that
weighs 1000 lb. Experimentally, it has been found that its natural period in lateral
vibration is equal to 1/10 of a second. It is required to shorten or lengthen its period
by 20% by adding weight or strengthening the columns. Determine needed
additional weight or additional stiffness (neglect the weight of the columns).
EXAMPLE 4
Solution:
The frame is modeled by the spring-mass system shown in Fig. (b). Its stiffness is
calculated from
2 kg 2 kg
E k 10228 lb/in
T W 0.1 1000
(a) Lengthen the period to TL = 1.2 × 0.10 = 0.12 sec by adding weight ΔW:
2 10228 386
W 440 lb
0.12 1000 W
(b) Shorten the period to Ts = 0.8 × 0.1 = 0.08 sec by strengthening columns in Δk:
2
10228 k 386 k 5753 lb/in
0.08 1000