Department of Mechanical Engineering

ME-405L Mechanical Vibrations Lab

Experiment No. 01
Experiment Name: To find natural frequency for a single spring, series,
and parallel configuration

Name of Student: Zia ul Haq

Signature of Student: __________________
Registration No.: 04-3-1-048-2021
Date of Experiment: 09/24/2024
Group: F4

Report Marks: out of 10

Date of Report Submission: 10/22/2024
Signature of Lab Engineer:
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Table of Contents
1 Abstract...............................................................................................................................1
2 Introduction.........................................................................................................................1
3 Theory.................................................................................................................................2
4 Procedure............................................................................................................................2
5 Observation and Calculations.............................................................................................3
5.1 Single Spring..............................................................................................................3
5.2 Series Configuration...................................................................................................6
5.3 Parallel Combination..................................................................................................8
6 Analysis and Discussion...................................................................................................10
7 Conclusion........................................................................................................................10
8 References.........................................................................................................................11
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List of Figures
Figure 1: Spring arrangement for single, parallel and series combination................................1
Figure 2: Force vs Deflection for Single Spring........................................................................5
Figure 3: Mass vs Time square for single spring.......................................................................5
Figure 4: For vs Deflection for series configuration..................................................................7
Figure 5: Figure 3: Time-period square vs mass deflection.......................................................7
Figure 6: Force vs Deflection for Parallel Configuration..........................................................9
Figure 7: Mass vs Time square for parallel configuration.........................................................9
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List of Tables

Table 1: Spring Parameters........................................................................................................3

Table 2: Load and corresponding Deflections for single spring................................................3
Table 3: Load and corresponding time period for single spring................................................4
Table 4: Theoretical and experimental values of ωn for single spring.......................................4
Table 5: Spring stiffness of single spring...................................................................................4
Table 6: Load and Corresponding deflections...........................................................................6
Table 7: Load and corresponding time period...........................................................................6
Table 8: Theoretical and experimental values of ωn for series configuration............................6
Table 9: Equivalent spring stiffness of series configuration......................................................7
Table 10:Load and corresponding deflections for parallel configurations................................8
Table 11: Load and corresponding time period for parallel configurations...............................8
Table 12: Theoretical and experimental values of ωn for parallel configuration......................8
Table 13: Equivalent stiffness of parallel configuration............................................................9
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1 Abstract
The primary goal of the experiment was to familiarize oneself with the dynamic behavior of a
system consisting of springs configured in single, parallel, and series configurations. The
goal is to compute these three systems' experimental stiffness and natural frequency, then
compare the results to theoretical values to get the intended outcomes. Measuring a
structure's displacement in response to an applied force allowed for the determination of its
stiffness. Similar to how displacement was measured and force in relation to mass was
progressively raised, natural frequency was determined by timing the duration of cycles. For
the three systems, graphs showing a linear trend with tiny errors were drawn between force-
displacement and force-time period. The measurement's inaccuracy was the cause of these
mistakes.

2 Introduction
The mass-spring system comprises a mass connected to a fixed point through a spring. When
a mass is hung from the lower end of the spring and the spring is stretched or compressed and
then released, the mass undergoes oscillations in an up-and-down motion. The subsequent
force oscillation exhibits a simple harmonic nature, characterized by oscillatory motion
following a sinusoidal function. The interaction between the inertia of the mass and the
restoring force of the spring results in harmonic motion, highlighting the significance of the
mass-spring system in the exploration of vibrations and oscillations. Understanding the
dynamics of mass-spring systems is essential for gaining insights into the behavior of
vibrating structures, wave propagation, and the broader realm of classical mechanics.
The experiment has been divided into three sections to understand the dynamics of mass
spring system i.e.: Single Spring arrangement, parallel spring arrangement and series springs
arrangement. The following figure illustrates these three systems.

Figure 1: Spring arrangement for single, parallel and series combination

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3 Theory
To determine the stiffness constant (k) for a single helical spring, consider the configuration
depicted in Figure 1, where the spring is attached to a mass. System's equation of motion is
expressed as: [1]
M ÿ+ Ky=0(1)
M is the total mass of the system including springs and mass attached.
From the equation of motion, the natural frequency and period of oscillation can be derived
as:

ω n=
√ k
M
(2)

τ=
2π
ωn
=2 π
√ M
k
(3)

For the linear spring following Hook’s law ( Fs= Kx ¿ , the spring force Fs is also given by
Fs=mg. Combine the equations to get:
k
m= x ( 4)
g
For a helical spring, the stiffness is given by:
4
Gd
k= 3
8N D
However, for parallel arrangement of springs attached to mass k eq could be find theoretically
as keq=k 1+ k 2+ …+kn ( 5 )
1 1 1 1
And in case of series, it is as follows = + +…+ ( 6)
keq k 1 k 2 kn
Experimental stiffness:
F
K exp= (7)
x
Experimental natural frequency:
2π
ω n= (8)
T
T is the time-period for single oscillation. [2]

4 Procedure
 The initial length xo is measured by hanging the spring vertically.
 Masses of 50g, 100g, 150g, and so on are added, and the final displacement xf is
measured accordingly.
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 The mass is then converted into force, and k exp is calculated by dividing the force by
the displacement each time a mass is added.
 Next, the spring is oscillated from its original position for each mass addition, and the
time for 10 oscillations is measured.
 The time for one oscillation is obtained by dividing the total time by 10
 The experimental natural frequency ωn exp is calculated using equation (8), and it is
compared to the theoretical value ωn,th, with the percentage error noted.
 Graphs for Force vs. Displacement and Time period vs. Force are plotted to observe
trends.
 The process is then repeated for springs in parallel, where the stiffness k th is
determined by adding the stiffness values of all three springs.
 For springs in series, the same procedure is followed, but the stiffness k th is calculated
using equation (6).

5 Observation and Calculations

5.1 Single Spring

Table 1: Spring Parameters

Parameters Value
N (turns) 28 turns
D (mm) 14.2 mm
d (mm) 1.2 mm
G 82.7 GPa

Table 2: Load and corresponding Deflections for single spring

Force Average Deflection

Trial m (kg) Deflection L (mm) (N) (m)
Loading Unloading
1 0.1 13.5 13.1 0.98 0
2 0.15 10.9 10.8 1.47 0.0026
3 0.2 8.2 - 1.96 0.0053
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Table 3: Load and corresponding time period for single spring

Time
Trial m (kg) Time for 10 Oscillations (s)
Time Period
Period Squared
Loading Unloading (s) (s2)
1 0.1 4.08 4.20 0.41 0.17
2 0.15 5.40 5.30 0.54 0.29
3 0.2 5.98 - 0.59 0.35

Table 4: Theoretical and experimental values of ωn for single spring

ωn ωn
Trial m (kg) (experimental) (Theoretical) Percent Error
(%)
(rad/s) (rad/s)
1 0.1 15.32 51.7 70.4
2 0.15 11.63 42.2 72.4
3 0.2 10.64 36.6 70.9

Table 5: Spring stiffness of single spring

Spring Stiffness k
K (theoretical) = 267.37 (N/m)
From: Slope k (N/m) Percent Error ()
Graph-1 184.8837 184.9 30.8
Graph-2 1.8 21.9 91.8
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Figure 2: Force vs Deflection for Single Spring

Figure 3: Mass vs Time square for single spring

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5.2 Series Configuration

Table 6: Load and Corresponding deflections

Force Average Deflection

Trial m (kg) Deflection L (mm) (N) (m)
Loading Unloading
1 0.1 75 77 0.98 0
2 0.15 40 40 1.47 0.036
3 0.2 0 -- 1.96 0.076

Table 7: Load and corresponding time period

m
Trial (kg) Time for 10 Oscillations (s)  (s) 2 (s2)
Loading Unloading
5.4 5.0
1 0.1 5.94 6 5.7 7 5.35 5.21 0.55 0.30
6.5 6.4
2 0.15 6.58 6 6.57 7 6.33 6.4 0.65 0.42
7.6
3 0.2 7.66 6 7.66 -- -- -- 0.77 0.59

Table 8: Theoretical and experimental values of ωn for series configuration

ωn ωn
m (experimental) (Theoretical) Percent
Trial
(kg) Error (%)
(rad/s) (rad/s)

1 0.1 11.52 51.71 77.72

2 0.15 9.69 42.22 77.05
3 0.2 8.20 36.56 77.57
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Table 9: Equivalent spring stiffness of series configuration

Spring Stiffness k

K (theoretical) = 133.685 (N/m)

From: Slope k (N/m) Percent Error ()

Graph-1 12.883 12.833 90.36
Graph-2 2.8919 13.65 89.79

Force vs Deflection for Springs in Series

2.5

2
f(x) = 12.8828413284133 x + 0.989040590405904
R² = 0.999077490774908
1.5
Force (N)

0.5

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08
Deflection (m)

Figure 4: For vs Deflection for series configuration

Figure 5: Figure 3: Time-period square vs mass deflection

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2 vs M
0.70
0.60
f(x) = 2.8918575 x + 0.00118087499999997
0.50 R² = 0.992608921141936
0.40
2 (s2)

0.30
0.20
0.10
0.00
0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2 0.22
Mass (kg)

5.3 Parallel Combination

Table 10:Load and corresponding deflections for parallel configurations

Deflection L Force Average Deflection

Trial m (kg) (mm) (N) (m)
Loading Unloading
1 0.1 17.4 17.40 0.98 0
2 0.15 16.44 16.40 1.47 0.00096
3 0.2 15.80 - 1.96 0.0016

Table 11: Load and corresponding time period for parallel configurations

Tria m
l (kg) Time for Oscillations (s)  (s) 2 (s2)
Loadin
g Oscillations Unloading Oscillations
1 0.1 2.18 5 2.18 5 0.44 0.19
2 0.15 2.24 5 2.31 5 0.46 0.21
3 0.2 2.37 5 - - 0.47 0.22
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Table 12: Theoretical and experimental values of ωn for parallel configuration

ωn ωn
Percent
Trial m (kg) (experimental) (Theoretical)
Error (%)
(rad/s) (rad/s)
1 0.1 14.3 89.6 84
2 0.15 13.7 73.1 81.2
3 0.2 13.4 63.3 78.

Table 13: Equivalent stiffness of parallel configuration

Spring Stiffness k
K (theoretical) = 802.11 (N/m)
From: Slope k (N/m) Percent Error ()

Graph-1 604.44 604.4 24.6

Graph-2 0.3 131.46 83.6

Figure 6: Force vs Deflection for Parallel Configuration

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6 Analysis and Discussion

In this experiment, three distinct spring configurations were used to examine the behavior of
a mass-spring system. For every configuration, the theoretical values were compared with the
experimental natural frequencies, and the percentage errors were computed. In the first setup,
a single spring was fastened to a 100 g mass. Gradually increasing and decreasing masses
were added (loading) and removed (unloading), recording the displacement and the time
required for a predetermined number of oscillations in each phase. For the series
arrangement, which involved connecting two springs in series, the same procedure was used.
Conversely, there was the parallel arrangement, in which two springs were positioned next to
each other. Two plots, deflection vs. load and time squared vs. mass, were plotted for each
arrangement. The stiffness values (spring constants) for every system were shown in these
graphs. The theoretical values acquired from formulas were compared with the experimental
stiffness values obtained from the graphs, and the percentage mistakes were recorded.
The percentage errors for the stiffness and natural frequencies in the single spring design are
shown in Tables 4 and 5. The mistakes for the series spring design are displayed in Tables 8
and 9, and the percentage errors for the parallel spring configuration are displayed in Tables
12 and 13. Numerous issues that arose during the experiment can be blamed for the reported
discrepancies between theoretical and experimental results. The intrinsic non-linearity of the
springs, delays in starting and stopping the stopwatch during oscillation time measurements,
and parallax error in measuring deflection from the scale are important sources of mistake.

7 Conclusion

Injection molding is one

of the most important
processes for plastics
and it has a very wide
list of kinds of products
it can produce, which
makes it very versatile.
 11

Injection molding is one

of the most important
processes for plastics
and it has a very wide
list of kinds of products
it can produce, which
makes it very versatile.
Injection molding is one
of the most important
processes for plastics
and it has a very wide
list of kinds of products
it can produce, which
makes it very versatile.
Injection molding is one
of the most important
 12

processes for plastics

and it has a very wide
list of kinds of products
it can produce, which
makes it very versatile.
Injection molding is one
of the most important
processes for plastics
and it has a very wide
list of kinds of products
it can produce, which
makes it very versatile.
Injection molding is one
of the most important
processes for plastics
and it has a very wide
 13

list of kinds of products

it can produce, which
makes it very versatile.
Injection molding is one
of the most important
processes for plastics
and it has a very wide
list of kinds of products
it can produce, which
makes it very versatile.
Injection molding is one
of the most important
processes for plastics
and it has a very wide
 14

list of kinds of products

it can produce, which
makes it very versatile.
The experiment showed that displacement rose proportionately to applied force for all
combinations. The span of time also followed a linear pattern. The equivalent stiffness of the
springs in the parallel configuration was found to be higher than that of any single spring,
whereas the equivalent stiffness of the springs in the series arrangement was found to be
lower than that of the stiffest spring in the setup. By utilizing more accurate tools and making
sure that the measurements are made with higher accuracy, the experimental errors could be
decreased.

8 References

[1] R. Hibbler, Mechanics of Materials, New York: Pearson, 2011.

[2] S. S. Rao, Mechanical Vibrations, United States: Pearson Education, 2018.