You are on page 1of 9

2.

671 Measurement and Instrumentation


Thursday PM
Dr. Dawn Wendell
May 16, 2017

MEASURING GAIN AT RESONANCE TO OPTIMIZE CARBON LEVELS OF AND


HAND PLACEMENT ON A FIELD HOCKEY STICK
Amanda Lowery
MIT
Cambridge, MA, United States of America

ABSTRACT grips the middle of a stick) and the amplitude of a power


Field hockey players experience a stinging hit (where the lower hand grips the top of a stick).
sensation in their hands due to a sticks vibrational One use for these findings would lead to
response to hitting a field hockey ball. To understand harnessing the systems energy. In order to hit the ball
vibrational response, a field hockey sticks carbon levels far, energy must successfully be converted from a
and players hand positions were examined to see effects players body to the ball through the stick. However, if
on the amplitude of response. Sticks of varying carbon there is a high gain at resonance, energy is lost as
levels (0%, 50%, 75%, and 100% carbon) were subjected vibrations, and the ball does not deflect as far.
to an impulse by an impact hammer. Every stick containing Successfully applying this to field hockey sticks, since
carbon had a higher gain at resonance in the power grip certain hand placement on the stick will define the
than the slap grip. Gain at resonance was concluded to be resonant frequency, can potentially reduce vibrational
independent on carbon level. The power hit with the 100% response.
carbon stick had the highest gain with 0.46 0.05, and the
In order to determine resonant frequencies of a
power hit with the 0% carbon stick had the lowest gain
field hockey stick, the experimental design needed to
with 0.1727 0.0370. An external tool, such as stick-
simulate typical hitting conditions. The hockey stick was
dependent grips or gloves, will dampen the vibrations and
clamped in the two hand placements and was subjected to
ultimately decrease the stinging phenomenon.
free vibration. This experimentally consistent model
1. INTRODUCTION involved using a force hammer to create a controlled
When field hockey players hit a ball with a stick, impulse and an accelerometer to measure the resultant
they experience a stinging sensation in their hands due acceleration as a result of the impulse. Fast Fourier
to a sticks vibrational response. This painful sensation transforms, gain analysis, and t-tests were performed in
also occurs in baseball, softball, and tennis players. The order to identify the main frequencies that the stick will
higher the gain at resonance, the higher the vibrational vibrate at, as well as the gains at resonant frequency. The
amplitude, and therefore, the greater the sting that is sticks that have the highest magnitude of gain at resonance
experienced. Even though previous studies regarding were determined as the sticks that will have the highest
vibrational behavior have been conducted, they mainly sting after hitting a ball.
emphasize sports equipment such as baseball bats and
tennis rackets. Field hockey sticks also have two unique 2. BACKGROUND
variables in which other studies did not consider, which 2.1 TYPES OF FIELD HOCKEY HITS
are hand positioning and percentage of carbon in the Field hockey is a sport where people use wooden or
stick. composite sticks to hit a ball in the other teams goal. One
Analyzing the trend between carbon levels and of the unique aspects of field hockey, compared to other
gain amplitude determined if higher values of stiffness sports equipment subject to painful vibrations, is that there
contributed to a stinging sensation from the vibrational are two types of hits. These different hits correspond to two
response. The gain at resonant frequency of field hockey main hand placements. The power hit consists of gripping
sticks was found in order to examine the correlation both hands together at the top of the grip (Figure 1).
between gain amplitude and level of carbon fiber in the
sticks. Additionally, comparisons were made between the
vibrational amplitude of a slap hit (where the lower hand

1 2.671 Go Forth and Measure


2.2 MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF A FIELD HOCKEY
STICK
In the past twenty years, composite sticks have been
the most common type of stick used, and these sticks
typically contain some level of carbon fiber in the
composite compound. If the carbon levels increase, so does
the sticks stiffness. The Youngs Modulus, which
correlates to material property, increases as the percentage
of carbon increases.
The main reason as to why there are a variety of
levels of carbon in field hockey sticks is due to the fact that
different positions on the field require different levels of
power. The remaining composition in field hockey sticks
include a combination of wood, aramid, and fiberglass.
Wood has a lower Youngs Modulus value and is less stiff
Figure 1: Elizabeth Dethy, former member of the than carbon. Most beginner sticks have lower amounts of
MIT varsity field hockey team, power hits the ball.
carbon and higher amounts of wood, because wood has
Note that her hands are joined together, gripping the
end of the sticks grip. [1] more give and allows the player to control the ball.
Aramid, comprised of synthetic polymers, generally are
The above figure demonstrates the hand position less stiff than carbon but much more stiff than wood.
for the power grip. Note that the players hands are joined Fiberglass has the highest stiffness due to its highest
together and gripping the top of the field hockey stick. Youngs Modulus value. Forward players generally prefer
Players use the power grip when they want to move the sticks that have 50-75% carbon, simply because they
ball quickly up the field or aim towards the goal. The would prefer ball control to powerful hits. On the other
trade-off for the power hit is that it is less accurate than hand, midfielders and defenders that need to hit the ball up
the slap hit. Caitlin van Sickle demonstrates the slap hit in the field tend to prefer 75-100% carbon sticks because they
the figure below (Figure 2). need the maximum conversion of power from their swing
into movement of the ball.

2.3 CANTILEVERED BEAM VIBRATIONAL NODES


Every system has natural oscillations at certain
frequencies, and the highest amplitudes of vibrations are
associated with the natural frequency, or primary resonant
frequency. A field hockey stick would have both a primary
resonant frequency along with overtone frequencies. The
natural frequency of oscillation is due to geometry and
material of the stick, instead of the swing or the players
grip strength. The stinging sensations occurs when the
Figure 2: Caitlin van Sickle, member of the US stick is resonating at the primary frequency due the sticks
Womens Olympics Field Hockey team, is slap high vibrations.
hitting the ball. Note that her hands are farther apart A vibrational mode is the shape which is the shape
and in a lower position than the power hit. [2] of the cantilevered beam vibration. A vibrational node is
the point at which the vibrational shape crosses the neutral
The above figure demonstrates the hand position
axis. During vibration after an impulse, each of these
for the slap hit. Note that the players hands are farther modes are superimposed upon each other. Any input at a
apart and the right hand is gripping the middle of the stick
node will cause only deflection and no vibration for the
instead of the top of the stick.
mode to which it belongs. Additionally, the players hand
acts as a clamp and essentially acts as a boundary
condition; there is no vibrational displacement at that

2 2.671 Go Forth and Measure


position. The first three modes are shown below (Figure
3). The blue dots indicate the nodes (Figure 3).

Figure 4: Experiment set up for measuring modes of


vibration. An impulse is delivered to the toe of the
stick with an impulse hammer, and a 3D
Figure 3: The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd vibrational modes of accelerometer sends data to a Logger Pro data
a cantilevered beam. The blue dots indicate the acquisition device. The amplifier was on a setting on
vibrational nodes, which are the locations where the 200 mV.
vibrating beam intersects the neutral axis. [3]
The above figure shows the experiment set up for
st nd rd measuring modes of vibration. The impulse hammer
The above figure illustrates the 1 , 2 , and 3 strikes at the impulse points, simulating the impact that
vibrational modes of a cantilevered beam, which the field occurs when a stick hits a ball. The input voltage from the
hockey stick is modeled as. The blue dots are vibrational
impact hammer was converted to force from the value on
nodes, which are the locations where the vibrating beam
its specification sheet, using the equation
intersects the neutral axis. Each vibration is superimposed
on the beam to different extents. [5] Additionally, these are &'()*+',
the natural nodes, but the players hand also acts as a clamp = (4)
and forces a node at that point; they change which
0.23 [ ]
wavelengths occur at resonance and affect the vibrational
response. The resultant acceleration from the vibrational
response was recorded from the Vernier 25-g
3. PROCEDURES AND METHODS accelerometer and sent data to a Logger Pro data
3.1 SET UP
acquisition device, and the resultant force is recorded from
The experimental approach models a field hockey the impulse hammer (PCB Model 086D05) and sent to the
stick as a cantilevered beam, whose toe is subject to an Logger Pro data acquisition device. The amplifier was set
impulse. The following assumptions were made: the field to 200 mV.
hockey stick was modeled as a hollow rectangular
cantilever beam with the dimensions 0.0254 m x 0.0254 m 3.2 PROCEDURES
x 0.9271 m, the moment of inertia was constant throughout The natural frequency of the hockey stick was
the length of the shaft, there was a uniform mass per unit measured using a 3D accelerometer (Vernier 25-g
length, and the system was subject to free vibration. To accelerometer) and a Vernier Logger Pro for data
avoid unwanted damping, a 2x4 plywood block was used acquisition. There were four different sticks compared,
to elevate the stick from the table. Figure 4 shows the each having different levels of carbon and different brands.
diagram of the set up. The 0% carbon (wooden) sticks manufacturer was
Muzzamil, the 50% carbon sticks manufacturer was Dita,
the 75% carbon stick was manufactured by Harrow, and
the 100% carbon stick was manufactured by TK. The same
force was applied for both types of hits using an impulse
hammer (PCB Model 086D05) and quickly applying an
impulse to the toe of each field hockey stick. To simulate

3 2.671 Go Forth and Measure


the two different types of hits, two clamps were placed at
100
certain locations on the stick that would resemble where a

Acceleration[m/s ]
2
players hands would grip the stick (Figure 5).
50

-50

-100
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
time [s]

Figure 6: The figure above displays a representative


graph of acceleration over time. Trial 3 (using the
Muzzamil stick with a power hit position) was used.
Figure 5: The clamp locations of the slap grip, The shape of a decaying sinusoidal wave was
illustrated with red, and the power grip, illustrated accurately predicted.
with blue. The accelerometer location is marked with
the square and placed right under the lower clamp; the The figure above was taken from the third trial of the
impulse point is where the impulse hammer would 0% carbon Muzzamil stick power hit and shows the
strike. resultant force over time and acceleration over time. The
shape of a decaying sinusoidal wave was predicted, due to
Six trials were conducted for each stick at each hand
damping of the stick. The dominant modes, which appear
position (slap and power), making 48 total trials. One
as peaks, were identified and the relationship between
assumption in this experiment was the hand placement for
frequency and carbon content of hand position.
the two different types of hits: power and slap hit. The
It was predicted that the force signal would be
power hit was measured at 0.76 m from the bottom of the
indicated as a perfect delta approximation, which means
stick and the clamps were placed 0.051 m apart. The slap
there should only be one resultant peak. The figure below
grip was measured at 0.508 m and the clamps were 0.127
depicted a sample representative graph from the 3rd trial
m apart. The accelerometer was placed immediately
of the 0% carbon Muzzamil stick with power hit. (Figure
beneath the lower clamp. Measurements from its
7).
vibrational response were recorded to determine the
location of the vibrational nodes.
8

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 6


Force [N]

In order to determine the extent of stinging of a field


hockey stick, and by extension, the magnitude of gain at 4
resonance, the acceleration of each impulse was needed to
apply a Fast Fourier Transform. After each trial of striking 2
the stick with the impulse hammer, the impulse hammer
and accelerometer sent resultant data about force and
0
acceleration of the vibrational response of the system. The
shape of a decaying sinusoidal wave was predicted, due to 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
damping of the stick. The figures below were taken from time [s]
one trial of the 0% carbon Muzzamil stick power hit Figure 7: The figure above displays a representative
(Figure 6). graph of applied force over time. The voltage
recorded from trial 3 (using the Muzzamil stick at
Power Hit position) was converted into force using
the force equation (3). It illustrates that the force

4 2.671 Go Forth and Measure


signal isnt a perfect delta approximation, since there power hit, since the magnitude of gain at resonance for the
are following spikes after the initial peak. 75% carbon stick was lower than the 0% and 50% carbon
The figure above displays a representative graph of sticks. Figure 10 compares the slap hit among each of the
applied force over time. The voltage recorded from trial 3 sticks.
(using the Muzzamil stick at Power Hit position) was
converted into force using the force equation (4). It 10
0

Muzzamil (0% Carbon)


illustrates that the force signal isnt a perfect delta 10
-1 Dita (50% Carbon)
Harrow (75% Carbon)

approximation, since there are following spikes after the 10


-2
TK (100% Carbon)

initial peak.
-3
Fast Fourier Transforms were applied to show how 10

amplitude of response is distributed over frequency and

Magnitude
-4
10

what frequencies are present in the response. Figures 8 and 10


-5

9 show the resultant Gain Bode plots. -6


10

-7
10
100
Muzzamil (0% Carbon) -8
Dita (50% Carbon) 10
10-1 Harrow (75% Carbon)
TK (100% Carbon)
10-9
1 2 3 4
10 10 10 10
10-2
Frequency [Hz]

10-3

Figure 10: The magnitude of Transfer Function


Magnitude

10-4
plotted over frequency for sticks in varying levels of
10-5 carbon for the slap hit. Note the dominant peaks
10-6
between the frequencies 20 60 Hz, which indicated
the resonant frequency. The magnitude of gain (the
10-7 independent variable) compared vibrational
10-8
response, and thus, magnitude of stinging. From this
101 102
Frequency [Hz]
103 104
figure, its seen 0% carbon stick and 100% had the
highest vibrations for the slap hit, while the 50%
Figure 9: The magnitude of Transfer Function carbon stick has the lowest vibrations for the slap hit.
plotted over frequency for sticks in varying levels of The 75% carbon had the second lowest magnitude of
carbon for the power hit. Note the dominant peaks
gain.
between the frequencies 10 30 Hz, which indicated
the resonant frequency. The magnitude of gain (the
independent variable) compared vibrational The figure above illustrated the Gain Bode plot
response, and thus, magnitude of stinging. From this for the slap hit. Like the Gain Bode plot of the power hit,
figure, its seen that the 100% and 50% carbon stick the deduction was that there doesnt appear to be a pattern
had very similar and highest magnitude of gain at between increasing carbon level and increasing levels of
resonance, while the 0% carbon stick had the lowest gain at resonance. From Figure 10, its seen 0% carbon
vibrations. stick and 100% had the highest vibrations for the slap hit,
while the 50% carbon stick has the lowest vibrations for
The initial peaks (between 10 and 30 Hz) indicate the the slap hit. The 75% carbon had the second lowest
resonant frequency. By comparing the power hit for each magnitude of gain.
of the sticks, it was shown that there is no linear trend
between increasing carbon levels and dominant frequency. In the transfer function graph, all the sticks
For the power hit, gain resonance is dependent of carbon except the TK (100% carbon) stick increased in dominant
levels in the stick. The magnitude of gain (the independent modes frequency with increasing carbon. However, the
variable) compared vibrational response, and thus, TK doesnt follow this pattern. One potential reason
magnitude of stinging. From this figure, its seen that the could be attributed to the fact that in the three lower
100% and 50% carbon stick have very similar and highest carbon content sticks, the dominant mode might not be
magnitude of gain at resonance, while the 0% carbon stick the first mode, but rather a higher mode. Another reason
has the lowest vibrations. The increasing levels of carbon could be a difference in manufacturing and that TKs
was not found to correspond to magnitude of gain for the

5 2.671 Go Forth and Measure


stick could have a different type of carbon fiber, and as a the frequency of the power hit is at 14.5 Hz and the slap hit
result, a different Youngs Modulus. is at 19.0 Hz. The 0% carbon stick had a unique response
It can be observed that the slap hit has the higher because it was the only stick that had a higher vibrational
dominant frequency for each stick. This can be attributed response for the slap hit, rather than the power hit.
to the fact that for a power hit, the distance between the However, for all of the carbon-containing sticks, the power
players two hands are so close that they can be hit had a higher magnitude of gain for the Dita (50%), the
approximated at the same node. However, for the slap hit, frequency of the power hit is at 15.3 Hz and the slap hit is
the hands are farther apart (0.127 m) which means that at 29.5 Hz. For the Harrow (75%), the frequency of the
theres a new node that must be at the lower hand. The power hit is at 24.4 Hz and the slap hit is at 44.0 Hz.
frequencies from the transfer function should be used to However, the increasing trend of frequency stops; for the
calculate the wavelengths to check that the nodes are TK (100%), the frequency of the power hit is at 19 Hz and
expected to be with respect to the ends of the stick and the slap hit is at 29.3 Hz. One of the reasons for the
hand position. Figure 10 shows the Gain Bode plots that discrepancy in the 0% carbon sticks behavior is due to its
compares the two grips between each stick (Figure 10). slightly different cross-section and geometry that the 0%
carbon stick has versus the 50%, 75%, and 100% carbon
stick. To further compare the gain at resonance between
the types of hits and the types of carbon content, a
0
0% Carbon (wood) 0
50% Carbon
10 10
Power
Slap
histogram with error bars was created to test statistical
Magnitude

Magnitude

10
-5
10
-5
significance and to focus on the dominant peaks of the
initial Gain Bode plots (Figure 11).
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Frequency [Hz] Frequency [Hz]

0
75% Carbon 0
100% Carbon
10 10
Magnitude

Magnitude

-5 -5
10 10

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Frequency [Hz] Frequency [Hz]

Figure 10: Each subplot compares the magnitude of


transfer function over frequency between the two
types of hits for each stick. The peaks evolve with
various parameters. For the Muzzamil (0%), the Figure 11: Error bars indicate the 95% confidence
frequency of the power hit is at 14.5 Hz and the slap interval. A t-test was conducted between the two
hit is at 19.0 Hz. For the Dita (50%), the frequency of types of hit for each stick; all sticks except the 100%
the power hit is at 15.3 Hz and the slap hit is at 29.5 carbon stick was determined to be statistically
Hz. For the Harrow (75%), the frequency of the power significant, indicated with bracket and asterisk above
hit is at 24.4 Hz and the slap hit is at 44.0 Hz. For the the bars. The blue bars show the magnitude of gain at
TK (100%), the frequency of the power hit is at 19 Hz resonance with the power hit, and the red bars depict
and the slap hit is at 29.3 Hz. It can be observed that the magnitude of gain at resonance of the slap hit. The
for each stick, the slap hit has the higher dominant 0% carbon stick is the only stick in which the
frequency than the power hit. magnitude of gain was higher for the slap hit than the
power hit. The error bars are much larger for the
It can be observed that for each stick, the slap hit has power hit than the slap hit, and that is most likely a
the higher dominant frequency than the power hit. This result of the datas noise; the impulse hammers force
was human-controlled and there mightve been a
phenomenon was predicted, because moving the hand
discrepancy in the place and magnitude of applied
position for the slap hit forces a boundary condition in the force.
middle of the stick and shortens the distance that the
wavelength of the vibrations have to travel. The peaks
evolve with various parameters. For the Muzzamil (0%), The above figure was a bar graph that compared
the magnitude of gain at resonant frequency between

6 2.671 Go Forth and Measure


different sticks and different hit types. The blue bars were composition of the other 25%. Additionally,
the magnitudes of gain for power hits, and the red bars investigations in stick-dependent grips and gloves will
were the magnitudes of gain for slap hits. After ensue to dampen the vibrations and ultimately stinging.
conducting t-tests, the 0%, 50%, and 75% carbon sticks
were determined to be statistically significant. The 100% 6. CONCLUSIONS
carbon stick had a p-value of 0.4971, which was lower In this experiment, a field hockey stick was modeled
than a value of 0.500; this indicated that the null as a cantilevered, hollow beam and struck on its toe with
hypothesis could not be rejected. With a 95% confidence an impulse. The purpose was to determine the location of
interval, gain at resonance was found to be 0.1727 vibrational nodes, since optimal hand location or
0.0370 and 0.5037 0.0010 for power grip and slap grip difference in carbon levels could decrease the vibrational
in the 0% carbon stick respectively, 0.4435 0.0580 and frequency and by extension, the stinging sensation in a
0.0899 0.0020 for power and slap grip in the 50% players hands. In order to determine any vibrational nodes
carbon stick, 0.2059 0.0100 and 0.130 0.001 for on the stick, the frequencies and magnitudes of its
power and slap in 75% carbon, and 0.46 0.05 and vibrations were measured. Force was measured and used
0.4474 0.002 for power and slap in 100% carbon stick. to apply Fast Fourier Transforms of the impulse response,
Note that the 75% carbon Harrow stick has a and then ultimately used to find the transfer function. From
lower magnitude of gain at resonance than the 50% the transfer function, the dominant frequencies were
carbon Dita stick in the slap hit. Another reason could be obtained. The gain at resonance was also found and
a difference in manufacturing and that the 50% carbon compared between stick types and grip types.
stick could have a different type of carbon fiber, and as a It can be concluded that there is no correlation between
result, a different Youngs Modulus than the 75% carbon increasing carbon levels and amount of sting. The results
stick. The 0% carbon stick is the only stick in which the indicate that a field hockey sticks dominant frequency is
magnitude of gain was higher for the slap hit than the higher for a slap hit than a power hit. Based on the transfer
power hit. The error bars are much larger for the power function graph, there appears to be no correlation between
hit than the slap hit, and that is most likely a result of the carbon levels and resultant dominant frequencies; the
datas noise; the impulse hammers force was human- Muzzamil (0% carbon) stick had a power hit peak
controlled and there mightve been a discrepancy in the frequency of 14.5 Hz and TK (100% carbon stick) had a
place and magnitude of applied force. power hit frequency of 19 Hz, which is only 4.5 Hz in
difference. The dominant frequency of the Dita power hit
The higher the gain at resonance in a stick, the
was 15.3 Hz, and the dominant frequency of the Harrow
greater the vibration and the more itll sting after impact.
power hit was 24.4 Hz. For the slap hit, Muzzamil was 19
Since most players usually use both types of hits while
Hz, Dita was 29.5 Hz, Harrow was 44.0 Hz, and TK was
playing field hockey, the stick that has the lowest
29.3 Hz. Another conclusion is that the hockey stick has
magnitudes of gain for both slap and power hit, which is
excitements from different modes, since the resultant
the 75% carbon Harrow stick, will experience the least
frequencies are integer multiples of each other. Sticks
amount of stinging. However, if a player tends to use
containing carbon have higher gain at resonance when
power hit only, then the 0% carbon (100% mulberry
using power hit versus slap hit, but the wooden stick
wood) would be preferable because it has the lowest
indicates the opposite. The power hit with the 100% carbon
value of gain at resonance. On the other hand, if a player
stick had the highest gain with 0.46 0.05. Additionally,
only slap hits, then the 50% carbon stick is preferred
investigations in stick-dependent grips and gloves will
since it has the lowest value of gain at resonance. Even
ensue to dampen the vibrations, decrease the painful
though the highest value of gain is the power hit with the
stinging, and make the sport enjoyable and pain-free.
100% carbon stick and the lowest value of gain is the
power hit the 0% gain, there is no correlation of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
increasing carbon levels and increasing magnitudes of
The author would like to acknowledge the following
gain. individuals:
Because the 75% carbon stick had a low Dr. Wendell for her insight into this experiment, paper, and
magnitude of gain at resonance for both the power and poster.
slap hit, future investigations will delve into comparing
75% carbon sticks and their gains at resonance based on Thalia Rubio for her helpful edits in earlier drafts of this
different brands, cross-sectional geometries, and material paper and poster.

7 2.671 Go Forth and Measure


REFERENCES

[1] Hogge, Akimitsu. MIT Field Hockey Team


Beats Lasell College, (unpublished, accessed on
4/14/17 from
http://tech.mit.edu/V133/N39/fieldhockey.html)

[2] Winstanley, Paul. Field Hockey Photography,


(unpublished, accessed on 4/14/17 from
http://fieldhockey.photoshelter.com/image/I0000wc
XgFBp18TU)

[3] Gibson, George. Vibrating Strings,


(unpublished, accessed on 5/3/17 from
http://www.phys.uconn.edu/~gibson/Notes/Section
3_3/320x390xImage47.gif.pagespeed.ic.UNcyvQP
HGn.png)

[4] Bhattacharjee, R. Free Vibration of a Cantilever


Beam (Continuous System),
(unpublished, accessed on 3/3/17 from
http://iitg.vlab.co.in/)

[5] Whitney, Scott. Vibrations of Cantilever Beams:


Deflection, Frequency, and Research Uses,
(unpublished, accessed on 3/4/17 from
http://emweb.unl.edu/Mechanics-Pages/Scott-
Whitney/325hweb/Beams.html

8 2.671 Go Forth and Measure


9 2.671 Go Forth and Measure

You might also like