CE-412: Introduction to Structural Dynamics and

Earthquake Engineering

MODULE 4 –Fall 2024

Response of SDF Systems to Harmonic Excitations

Dr. Muhammad Javed, Professor, CED. mjaved@[Link]

Dr. Muhammad Waseem, Associate Professor, CED
 Harmonic force
A force is said to harmonic if its time variation is defined by any one of the following
equations: p(t) =

Where po is the peak value of harmonic force and ω is its frequency known as exciting
frequency or forcing frequency; is the exciting period or forcing period.

𝑝
Amplitude, 𝑝

Period, 𝑇 = 2𝜋 𝜔

Time variation of harmonic force, p(t) = po sin (ωt)

The equations used in this lecture are strictly applicable to p(t) = po sin (ωt) 2
 Examples of Harmonic Forces

Unbalance in rotating machines (such as turbines, electric motors and electric generators, or
rotating shafts) results in harmonic forces. For example, when the wheels of a car are not
balanced, centrifugal forces (harmonic) are developed due to shifting of mass center from center
of rotation video 1.
Increase in rotational speed of an unbalanced wheel(s) results an increase in the frequency
ratio, *. If ω is close to the ωn of car’s suspension system in vertical direction , increase in
frequency ratio cause amplitude of vertical displacement in the car’s suspension system to
increases many time (as long < ) and violent shaking occur in car. This concept will be
discussed after few slides.
*Frequency ratio, ⁄ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑑𝑦.

3
 Excitation
 Excitation refers to the application of external forces (external dynamic forces) or inputs
to a system (such as disturbing the equilibrium position of a system, structural systems
excited at the base by an earthquake or other source), causing it to vibrate or oscillate.

 In a nutshell, excitation encompasses all dynamic forces as well as disturbances to a

system that result in free and forced vibrations

4
Response of SDF Undamped Systems to
Harmonic Excitations

5
 Response of SDF undamped systems to Harmonic forces
The equation of motion for an undamped system subjected to harmonic force is:
……1
The solution of such type of second order differential equations, u(t), is made up of two parts.
The first part is the particular solution, up(t), of the nonhomogeneous equation (related to the
external force p(t)). The second part is the complementary solution, uc(t), of the homogeneous
equation, i.e. with p(t) = 0

Thus, total solution is expressed as

 The above equation may be physically interpreted as total displ due to forced vibration is the
sum of the displacement due to forced vibration part, and free vibration , which
is always present in a vibrating system. [Link] external dynamics force, p(t), is removed
=0 in Eqn 2, we get
6
 Response of SDF undamped systems to Harmonic forces:
Particular solution
The first part, up(t), is the solution which correspond to forced vibration component. The
corresponding vibrations are known as Steady state vibration, as it is present because of the
applied force, no matter what are the initial conditions.
The particular solution of undamped vibration, can be determined using following relation:

…………….. (3)

For the sack of simplicity, we will use rω =ω/ωn in these

lectures. Replacing

…………. (4)

7
 Response of SDF undamped systems to Harmonic forces:
Complimentary solution
The second part is the solution, uc(t), to the free vibration component, which does not require
any forcing function. The corresponding vibrations are known as Transient Vibrations, which
depends on the initial conditions
Complementary solution of undamped vibration (as discussed in module 3) is of the following
form

The constants A and B are determined from initial conditions i.e.,

Complete solution: Complete solution, +

8
Response of SDF undamped systems to Harmonic forces:
Complete solution
Complete solution, +

Transient responce,
Total Response,𝑢(𝑡) 𝑢 𝑡 =𝑢(𝑡)− 𝑢 𝑡

Steay state Response,𝑢 𝑡

response of undamped system to
harmonic force;
ω/ωn = 0.2,𝑢(0) = 0.5𝑝 /𝑘,
and 𝑢̇ (0) = 𝜔 𝑝 /𝑘.

9
 ‘Static’ Deformation
If a harmonic force is varying very slowly with time, then 0 and the equation of motion for an
undamped system to harmonic force, transform to

The subscript “st” (standing for static) indicate the elimination of acceleration’s effect

The maximum value of static displacement, (ust )o can be interpreted as the displacement due
to force amplitude, po , if a harmonic force is applied as a static force (⸪ when T >>)

For brevity we will refer to (ust)o as the static deformation

10
Effect of Frequency ratio, rω, on the direction of structural displacements

It can be concluded from the plot that is

1 positive when frequency ratio, rω <1 (i.e. ω<ωn)
1−𝑟 and vice versa

𝑟 =𝜔 𝜔 The above eqn indicate that is positive when

is positive, and vice versa. In the other words
is positive when rω <1 and vice versa

11
Effect of Frequency ratio, rω, on the direction of structural displacements

u
𝑝 Sin(𝜔𝑡)

Structure displaces in the direction of force when

𝜔
ω/ωn <1. The displacement is said to be in phase
with the applied force

u
𝑝 Sin(𝜔𝑡)
Structure displaces opposite to direction of force when
ω/ωn >1 video 2 . The displacement is said to be
𝜔 out of phase with the applied force

12
 Deformation Response factor, Rd

Since undamped systems don not exist in real life. In the later part of this lecture, which addresses
response of damped systems, we will discuss that transient vibration decays with time and
ultimately . Thus, the above eqn can be rewritten: = .

Another mathematical form of the total above equation can be derived, which is :

Rd = Deformation (or Displacement) response factor. Also known as Dynamic magnification factor
uo=Amplitude of dynamic displacement, and,
= Phase angle (or Phase Lag)
13
Influence of Frequency ratio, rω , on Deformation Response factor, Rd

1
𝑅 =
1−𝑟

𝑅 = 1 at 𝑟 = 2

When 𝑟 ≫ 1, 𝑅 ≪ 1

Nearly static response . Force is not 𝑟 =𝜔 𝜔

pure static and commonly known
as quasi-static when rω ≤ 0.2
14
Influence of Frequency ratio, rω , on Deformation Response factor, Rd

Following observation can be made from the plot

When rω is small ( i.e ω is small and thus force is 𝑅 =
𝑢
𝑢
‘slowly varying’ ), Rd is only slightly greater than 1
or in the other words Amplitude of dynamic
deformation, uo ≈ Amplitude of static deformation,
(ust)o.
When rω is close to 1.0, Rd is many times larger than 1
When rω exceeds 1, Rd start decreasing and becomes exactly 1 when rω =
When rω >> 1 ( i.e ω is large and thus force is ‘rapidly varying’ ), Rd <<1. or in the other
words uo < (ust)o Video 3
When , Rd becomes zero 15
 Phase Angle,
Phase angle or Phase lag, , is the angle (related to time) by which an Applied force, p(t) &
resulting displacement
For an Undamped system subjected to Harmonic forces

Angular velocity = Angular displacement / time

Mathematically, ω= /t / t / 2πf

Thus, in an undamped system subjected to a harmonic excitation with exciting period , T, displacement
corresponding to a hormonic force will produce after :
1. t= ( / 2π)T= (0/ 2π)T = 0 when rω < 1. In the other words, force and corresponding displacement
occur at same time as long as rω < 1
2. t = ( / 2π)T= (π / 2π)T = T/2 when rω >1 .
 Problem 4.1
A fixed-fixed steel beam, of length 5 m, width 0.5 m, and thickness 0.1 m, carries an electric motor
of mass 75 kg, which have a max. operating speed 1200 rpm, at its mid-span as shown in Figure.
While machine is rotating, amplitude of harmonic force developed due to the unbalance in the motor
is Po = 5000 N
If total mass of the beam is replaced with a lumped mass at the center equal to 50% of actual
distributed mass, determine:
1. Amplitude of steady state displacement
2. Amplitude of corresponding equivalent static force.
3. Beam will be safe in bending or not if we ignore transient vibration
Take permissible bending stress in beam =100 MPa, E = 207 Gpa, ζ= 0 and γ = 76.5 kN/m3 for steel.

Solution  l= 5m ; b=0.5 m ; t=0.1 m ; mmotor=75 kg

 ω= 1200 rev/min = 1200*2π rad/(60 s) = 126 rad/s ; Po= 5000 N
 E = 207 Gpa and γ = 76.5 kN/m3 for steel
 Problem 4.1: Solution (contd.)

mbeam= (γV)/g = 0.5*(76500 N/m3)*(5 m*0.6m*0.1m)/(9.81 m/s2) = 2,340 kg

Total lumped mass, m= mmotor+0.5* mbeam = mmotor+0.5* (γV)/g = 75+0.5*2340= 1,245 kg

k= 192EI/L3= 192*(207*109 N/m2)*[0.5*0.13/12 m4]/(5m)3= 13.25* N/m

N
13.25 ∗ 10 m
𝜔 = 𝑘
𝑚= 1245 kg = 103 rad/s
Problem 4.1: Solution (Contd…..)
𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚= 2,340 kg 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚 = 2,340*9.81=22,955 N or 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚 = 22,955/2.5= 4,591 N/m

100*9.81+ 1092 = 2073 N

4,591 N/m

whereas
2.5 m 2.5 m
13,550 N
13,550 N

Beam is safe in bending due to steady state vibration while motor is running with full speed
Response of SDF Damped systems to
Harmonic Excitations

20
 Response of an SDF Damped system to a Harmonic force
The EOM of a damped system subjected to harmonic excitations is:

This equation is to be solved for initial conditions,

The particular solution part of the differential equation is:

ζ
Where
ζ ζ

The complementary solution part of the eqn is: ζ

The complete solution, u(t) = uc(t)+up (t)

21
Steady state response of SDF Damped systems to a Harmonic force
Transient response, u (difference b/w total response, and steady-state response, u ) in a
damped system diminishes after few cycles of forced vibration.
Larger the amount of damping, quicker the Transient response will diminish (as shown in below
figures). Thus, in damped systems u u u ≈u ⸪u ≈
u u
𝑢(𝑡)
TD = 2π/ω ζ ζ
TD = 2π/ω
Total response, 𝑢(𝑡) = 𝑢 (𝑡) + 𝑢 (𝑡) 𝑢(𝑡)
Total response, 𝑢(𝑡) = 𝑢 (𝑡) + 𝑢 (𝑡)
𝑢(𝑡) Transient responce, Steady state response, 𝑢 (𝑡)
𝑢 𝑡 =𝑢(𝑡)− 𝑢 𝑡
𝑢 𝑢
𝑢 (𝑡)

𝑡 𝑡

(b)
(a) T = 2π/ω T = 2π/ω

Response of a damped system to harmonic loading with 𝑢 0 = 0 and 𝑢̇ (0) ≠ 0

𝑎 𝜔 𝜔 = 0.2, ζ = 0.05 𝑏 = 𝜔 𝜔 = 0.2, ζ = 0.15 22
 Deformation response factor, Rd , in SDF Damped systems

Another mathematical form of the Steady state deformation (particular solution) is:

Substituting the values of C and D from slide 20 in equations for determining Rd and results
in:

23
 Effect of ζ

Following observation can be made from the

𝑢
plot.

𝑢
𝑅 =
When rω <1
𝑟 =𝜔 𝜔

 Damping reduce Rd for all values of frequency ratio, rω. However, rate of reduction highly
depends on the magnitude of rω
 If the rω is approximately 0.2 or below, ( i.e. force is ‘slowly varying’), Rd is only slightly
greater than 1 and thus unaffected by damping. Thus
st
st
 Effect of ζ
When rω =1 (i.e forcing frequency and natural frequency are equal)

ζ ζ ζ

The above mentioned equation indicate that at resonance, depends only on damping ratio. e.g.,
At ζ=5% of critical damping, ∗ .
In other words, amplitude of
dynamic displacement in a 5% damped system at resonance is 10 times the displacement if the
force have been applied as static.

When rω >>1
If rω is high,( i.e force is ‘rapidly varying’), Rd tends to zero as rω increases and is essentially
unaffected by damping .

ζ
Effect of ζ Summary
𝑢
𝑢
𝑅 =

Video 3

𝑅 ≈ 𝑘/𝑚𝜔
Rd ≈ 1
1 2 3
Rd =1/(2ζ) Frequency ratio = ω/ω
 Resonant Frequencies
A resonant frequency is defined as the forcing frequency at which the largest response
amplitude occurs.

The Given graph indicates that the peak

displacement in the curves, occur at
frequency ratios slightly different than 1.
𝑑

Displacement resonant frequency, , can

be determined by setting to zero the first
derivative of Rd , with respect to rω .
𝑟 =𝜔 𝜔

For ζ ζ

When the damping ratio is usually below 0.2 (Civil engineering systems), ζ and
thus the disp resonant frequency is almost equal to the natural frequency ωn of the system.
27
 Problem 4.2: A rotating machine (m = 100 kg) is mounted at the mid point of a 5m long,
simply supported steel beam with a square x-section.
It was observed that resonance occur when machine run at a speed of 300 revolution per
minute. At this stage machine exert an unbalanced vertical harmonic force of amplitude 100 N
and causes steady-state displacement of 20 mm in beam.
100 kg
Calculate damping ratio and determine whether the beam
will be safe in bending at resonance or not. Assume
permissible stress in bending is 125 Mpa. Take E= 207 Gpa.
Ignore self weight of beam. l= 5m, E= 207 GPa

Solution: m =100 kg , po = 100 N; (up)o= 20 mm = 0.02 m; ω = 300 rpm= 300 *2π rad/ 60 s = 10π rad/s

Displ. resonant frequency, ζ ⸪ structural systems have low, ζ)

 Problem 4.2: Solution (Contd…..)

As discussed on slide 20, for a damped system, uo (up)o = 0.02m

uo = 0.02m in Eqn A, we get

ζ ζ

ζ Total static force= 100*9.81+ 1976 = 2957 N

ζ

Mmax= pl/4= 2957*5/4= 3696 N.m 2.5 m 2.5 m

Problem 4.2: Solution (Contd…..)

Beam will be safe in bending at resonance

 Number of cycles required by a harmonic force to produce
peak Dynamic displacement after j - cycles, uj
Full resonance just not develop the instant when forcing frequency becomes equal to resonant
frequency. In fact, it takes a number of vibration cycles for the full resonance to develop.
Relation between peak displacement at full resonance, uo, and peak displacement at resonance
after j vibration cycles, uj is:
ζ

Problem 4.3: The speed of rotating machine in problem 4.2 is so adjusted that it exceeds
resonant frequency after completing 5 revolutions. Determine the amplitude of dynamic
displacement and static force for design.
100*9.81+ 1092 = 2073 N
Solution: ζ ∗ . ∗

2.5 m 2.5 m

Mmax 31
 Exercise 4.1
4.1. When the person stands in the center of the floor system shown, he
causes a Deflection of 0.2 in. of floor under his feet. He walks (or runs
quickly) in the same area , how many steps per second would cause the
floor to vibrate with the greatest vertical amplitude
Ans: 7 steps per second

4.2. A video camera, of mass 2.0 kg, is mounted on the top of a bank building for
surveillance. The video camera is fixed at one end of a tubular aluminum rod whose other
end is fixed to the building as shown in Figure. The wind-induced force acting on the video
camera, is found to be harmonic with p(t) = 25 sin 75t N.
 Exercise 4.1
4.3. A machine mounted on an isolated foundation is subjected to a harmonic force. The
amplitude of displacement is found to be 20 mm at resonance and 10 mm at a frequency
0.75 times the resonant frequency. Find the damping ratio of the isolation system.
Ans: 11.8 %

4.4. The steel frame shown in figure is subjected to a horizontal

harmonic force at the mass level, p(t)=2000 Sin 5.3t lb.
Assuming 5% of critical damping, determine amplitude of the
dynamic displacement and corresponding equivalent static
force.
Take E= 29,000 ksi and I= 69.2 in4 . Assume that flexural
stiffness of girder is too high as compared to connected columns.
Ans: 2.05 in, 4223 lb
Note: problems 4.1 and 4.4 are part of Home assignment no. 2
Vibration Isolation

34
 Vibration Isolation
Vibration isolation is a commonly used technique for reducing or suppressing unwanted
vibrations in structures and machines. With this technique, the device or system of interest
is isolated from the source of vibration through insertion of a resilient member or isolator.
Vibration isolation is usually applied in the following two situations:
(a) The foundation of a vibrating system is said to be isolated when larger forces due to
harmonic excitation or rotating unbalanced mass are reduced to significantly lower forces
transmitted to foundation;
(b) The vibrating system, which may be a delicate device or instrument (such as surgical
microscopes, electronic equipment, lasers, MRI units, scanning electron microscopes, and
computer disk drives), is protected from the motion of its base due to mechanical vibrations
which can transmit for long distances through the structure of a building, sometimes
resurfacing from hundreds of feet from the source.
 Vibration Isolators
po

po

(fT)o < po (fT)o < po

Application of elastic sleeper pads for reducing Elastomer Rubber pads. One of the main purpose of its
dynamic forces transferred to ballast
use is to reduce the vertical forces, arising from moving
traffic, transferred to the piers Video 3b
 Vibration Isolators

po

(fT)o < po
Rubber pads used to reduce the dynamics
forces transferred to supporting surface

Tunned mass dampers Video 4

Base isolation in structures by using laminated rubber

bearing Video 5,6 or Spherical sliding system.
Force Transmissibility (Transmission of Harmonic forces from top to the bottom)
The force transmissibility is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the total reaction
force, fT divided by the magnitude of the applied force, p(t).
Consider the mass-spring-damper system subjected to a harmonic force.

fI
FBD below 1-1

The force transmitted to the base, fT, is:

FBD above 1-1

ζ
By solving the above EOM, we get:
ζ

Where TR is used to represent Transmissibility 38

Force Transmissibility (Transmission of Harmonic forces from top to the bottom)

It can be observed from the plot between TR & TR<1

When TR is slightly greater than 1 and we can
safely assume It implies
that dynamic force is fully transmitted to base
As increases, becomes many times larger than
(as long as 𝒓𝝎 = 𝟐
TR=1

When , . Thus, the force

transmitted to the base can be decreased by reducing ωn to
increase This is accomplished by using a flexible material
with low k (and thus low ωn )
The force transmitted to the base can also be reduced by increasing damping ratio. Although
damping reduces the amplitude of Transmitted force for all frequencies, TR will be less than 1
only if . However, when , increasing the damping is disadvantageous since
it increases the transmitted force
Problem 4.4: Support of a bridge, with Laminated elastomeric bearing (LEB) pads between
bridge pier and supporting girder, can be idealized as SDOF spring-mass- dash pot system.
Vertical stiffness of single layer of rubber pad is 7 GN/m. Assuming, that part of the total
mass of bridge deck, supporting girder and traffic, lumped at the end support , is 107 kg.

A designer wants to limit the force transmitted through the LEB pad to po
the pier, restricting it to 15% of the amplitude of the dynamic force.
How many layers of rubbers shall be provided in LEB pad to achieve
above objective ?
Assume dynamic forces produced due to moving load varies as p(t)= po
Sin (10πt) N, ζ = 7%. Assume the bridge deck is infinitely stiff in
flexure
(fT)o ≤ 0.15po
 Problem 4.4: Solution
m = 107 kg ; ksingle layer= 7 GN/m = 7*10 9 N/m;ζ =0.070 ω = 10π rad/s ,

ζ
ζ

=x By solving & rearranging above eqn we get

= = 8.17, -5.32 = 2.86

2.86 or = 2.86 = = = 1.21 ∗ 10 N/m

If force is applied perpendicular to rubber layers (placed above each other), LEB pad can be
idealized as spring connected in Series (Why?)

Why do not we select 5 layers instead of 6 layers ?

 Base Excitations:
Displacement Transmissibility (from bottom to the top)

m
k c

Base

If the ground motion is defined as , eqn derived for

computing TR is similar to what we used to compute Transmissibility of forces
from top to the bottom.
Amplitude of the displacement at the mass level , , can be calculated using:

ζ
ζ
 Base Excitations:
Acceleration Transmissibility (from bottom to the top)

k c

Base

If accelerations acting at the base of a system varies sinusoidally,

the eqn derived for computing TR is similar to what we use to
compute force transmissibility

ζ
ζ
 Problem 4.5
15 kips
The steel frame shown in figure is subjected to a sinusoidal ground
motion ug(t)=0.3 Sin (8t) inches.
Determine the amplitudes of
1. Structural displacement , 10 ft
2. Equivalent static force and
3. Acceleration in the mass.
Take E= 29,000 ksi and I= 69.2 in4 , ζ = 0.05. Assume beam is
infinitely stiff in flexure and distributed mass is lumped at mid span

Solution
E= 29,000 ksi and I= 69.2 in4 , ζ = 0.05
ug(t)=0.3 Sin (8t)

By comparing above eqn with ug(t)= Sin ( t) we have ugo= 0.3 in and = 8 rad/s
Solution contd: Problem 4.5

ζ
ζ

ζ
𝑟 = 0.6 in Eq 1,
ζ

=0.3*1.56= 0.47 in
Solution contd: Problem 4.5
+ 0.17 in

ug(t)=0.3 Sin (8t) ug (t)=2.4 Cos (8t) ug (t)=− 19.2 Sin (8t)

ug (t)=19.2 Sin (8t) with ug (t)=ugo Sin ( t): ugo= 19.2 in/s2 and =8 rad/s

2 = 2.5 ft/s2
 Effective Force

m
k c

Base

During base excitation, only the relative motion between the mass and the base (also known as
structural disp) , u, cause structural deformation which produces elastic and damping forces.

Acceleration at mass level, , is due to total displacement at the mass level,

Inserting fI, fD and fs in the EOM , we get (⸪ there is no dynamic force)
or …𝐁

omparing eqn. B with generalized EOM,

(t) = 47
 Effective Force
Rewriting Eqn C: (t) = .The term on the right-hand side of the equation may be
regarded as the Effective force*
Thus, for the purpose of dynamic analysis, a structure experiencing ground acceleration (Eqn A) due
to ground movement, can be replaced by the structure having static base with dynamic force (Eqn C),
acting at the top end in a direction opposite to the direction of ground acceleration.

𝑝 (𝑡) = 𝑚𝑢̈ (𝑡)

𝑢̈ (𝑡)
Base moving with 𝑢̈ (𝑡) Stationary base , 𝑢̈ 𝑡 =0

Since the effective force is proportional to the mass, thus by increasing the mass the structure designer
increase the effective force.
* It may be noted that this concept can be applied to any system excited at the base (e.g., Earthquake,
Harmonic excitation produced by vibration of machines, etc)
Problem 4.6: Resolve Problem 4.6 using Effective force concept

Solution

m=W/g= 15 k/(32.2*12 in/s2)= 0.039 k.s2/in

ug(t)=0.3 Sin (8t) ug (t)=2.4 Cos (8t) ug (t)=− 19.2 Sin (8t)

ug (t) in 19.2 Sin (8t) = −0.75 Sin (8t) kips

𝑝 𝑡 = 0.75𝑆𝑖𝑛 (8𝑡)

𝑢̈ 𝑡 𝑢̈ 𝑡 =0
Solution (contd…)

ζ
𝜔
Whereas from Problem 4.5: 𝑟 = = = 0.6 and ζ = 0.05
𝜔

in/s2= 2.5 ft/s2

 Exercise 4.2
1. What is the required column stiffness of single one-story structure to limit its acceleration
amplitude to 3 m/s2 during an earthquake whose acceleration amplitude is 1.5 m/s2 at a
frequency of 50 rad/s? The mass of structure is 1800 kg. Assume a damping ratio of 0.01.
Ans: k= 3*106 N/m and 9*106 N/m

2. A 10-kg laser flow-measuring device is used on a table in a laboratory. Because of

operation of other equipment, the table is subject to horizontal vibration. Accelerometer
measurements in horizontal direction show that the dominant component of the table
vibrations is at 300 Hz and has an amplitude of 4.3 m/s2 at the base. For effective operation,
the laser , mounted on the table’s top, can be subject to an acceleration amplitude of 0.7 m/s2.
(a) Design an undamped isolator to reduce the transmitted acceleration, to an acceptable
amplitude.
(b) Design the isolator such that it has a damping ratio of 0.04.
Ans: (a) k= 4.98*106 N/m and (b) k= 4.89*106 N/m
51
 Exercise 4.2

3. A sensitive computer is being transported by rail in a boxcar. Accelerometer

measurements indicate that when the train is travelling at its normal speed of 85 m/s the
dominant component of the boxcar’s vertical acceleration is 8.5 m/s2 at a frequency of 36
rad/s. The crate in which the computer is being transported is tied to the floor of the
boxcar. What is the required stiffness of an isolator with a damping ratio of 0.05 such that
the acceleration amplitude of the 60 kg computer is less than 0.5 m/s2? With this isolator,
what is the displacement of the computer relative to the crate?
Answer: 3990 N/m, 0.34 mm
 Home Assignment 2
1. Problem 3.1.1
2. Problem 3.1.3
3. Problem 3.2.1
4. Problem 3.2.3
5. Problem 4.1.1
6. Problem 4.1.4
7. Problem 4.2.2

Due date: Next class. No assignment will be accepted

after class no matter whatever is the reason