CE532 Dynamics of Soils and Foundations

Assignment 1 Date of Submission: Monday 22nd August 2011

Full Marks: 70 Caution: Always convert the units to the SI system for any numerical

1. A machine foundation, idealized as a mass-spring SDOF system, is undergoing

undamped free vibration. The weight of the (machine + foundation) is 600 kN and the
Spring constant is 3x105 kN/m. Determine the following:
a. Natural circular and linear frequency of the undamped free vibration (2.5)
b. Natural period of the vibration (2.5)
c. Initial static deflection of the foundation (2.5)
d. Peak displacement and phase of the vibration (Consider z0=5mm and
v0=10mm/sec) (2.5)
e. Plot the displacement, velocity and acceleration responses of this foundation up to
a time t=2T+α. (10)
f. Show the vibration response of this foundation by a neat and proper Phasor
diagram (5)

2. For a mass-spring SDOF system W=600kN, plot the following:

a. Linear frequency of the system vs. Initial static deflection
b. Linear frequency vs. Spring constant
c. Spring constant vs. Initial static deflection
d. Peak displacement vs. Linear Frequency (Consider z0=5mm and v0=10mm/sec)
As a geotechnical engineer, provide engineering interpretations to the above plots.
(4x2.5=10)

3. A machine foundation, idealized as a mass-spring SDOF system, is subjected to an

external excitation Q (kN)=40sin(ωt), the frequency of the force being f=20Hz. Given,
the weight of the machine and foundation is 250kN, and the spring constant is 5x104
kN/m. Under these circumstances, determine the following:
a. Natural time period and natural frequency of the foundation
b. Plot the following for a time t=0 to 2T
i. The dynamic force on the subgrade due to the forced part of the response
ii. The dynamic force on the subgrade due to the free part of the response
iii. The total dynamic forced (as a summation of 1 and 2) (4x2.5=10)

4. Deduce the expression for determining the natural frequency of the system under
undamped free vibration for the following conditions:
a. A machine foundation is resting on three springs in series having spring constants
k1, k2 and k3. (5)
b. A machine foundation is resting on three springs in parallel having spring
constants k1, k2 and k3. (5)
5. For the system described below, determine the natural frequency and period of vibration
given k1=100N/mm, k2=150N/mm, k3=150N/mm, k4=100N/mm, k5=150N/mm and
m=100kg:

If the sinusoidal varying force is described as Q(N)=50sin(47t), what would be the

amplitude of vibration of the given system? (5x2=10)

6. A machine foundation, idealized as a mass-spring SDOF system, is excited by an external

force, described as Q=Q0 sin(ωt), where Q0=6.7kN and ω=3100 rad/min. Give the
weight of the machine + foundation = 290kN, and Spring constant = 875MN/m,
determine the maximum and minimum force transmitted to the subgrade. (5)