Mechanical Engineering

School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

UNDERGRADUATE REPORT SAMPLE

Please complete this form IN FULL
Failure to do so will result in it being returned to you unmarked.

MODULE No: B5.1PZ_2006-2007

MODULE TITLE: Mechanical Engineering Science
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Laboratory Report 2: Trifilar Suspension
Lecturer: Dr.

Year: 2 Term: 2 Session: 2

Grade: Name: JK

Registration Number: XXXXXXXX

Marker’s Initials: SZ Term Address:

Email: XXXXXXXX

Submission Date: 17/02/08

Group/Group Members: GROUP A X

(If applicable)

1
Index
Page no.
Aim 3
Summary 3
1. Introduction 3
2. Theory/Aim 4
3. Experimental Methods 8
3.1 Procedure 8
3.2 Apparatus/Equipment 9
4. Results and Calculations 10
4.1 Data 10
4.2 Calculations 11
5. Discussion 12
6. Conclusion 15
7. References 15

2
Aim

To calculate the polar mass moment of inertia of an assembly and using the result to predict the periodic
time of a triflar suspension of the assembly. Using this assembly, further physical understanding of mass
moment of inertia will also be demonstrated using bodies with known mass and geometry.

Summary

The moment of inertia of rigid bodies is calculated using the triflar suspension arrangement. To evaluate
the slope, the derived formulae and the given data are used. The recorded time periods for the actual
and theoretical values are analyzed and compared to study the relationship. All of these values agreed
within the estimated experimental errors.

Introduction

Moment of inertia, also called mass moment of inertia or the angular mass, is the rotational analogue
mass. That is, it is the inertia of a rigid rotating body with respect to its rotation. The moment of inertia
plays much the same role in rotational dynamics as mass does in basic dynamics, determining the
relationship between angular momentum and angular velocity, torque and angular acceleration, and
several other quantities. While a simple scalar treatment of the moment of inertia suffices for many
situations, a more advanced tensor treatment allow s the analysis of such complicated systems as
spinning tops and gyroscope motion [1].

The moment of inertia of an object about a given axis describes how difficult it is to change its angular
motion about that axis. Mass moment of inertia of a mechanical component plays an essential role
whenever a dynamic analysis is considered important for the design [1].

A trifilar suspension is a type of assembly that makes use of free torsional oscillation. It is used to
determine the moments of inertia of a body about an axis passing through its mass centre. Trifilar
suspensions are commonly used for school workshop experiments. [2] Figure below displays a standard
trifilar suspension arrangement.

3
Figure 1 displays a schematic of a standard trifilar suspension arrangement.

Theory/Aim

In the experiment the periodic time is measured and compared with the theoretical periodic time. The
periodic rotation will be calculated using the calculated mass moment of inertia and the derived equations
for the theoretical time period. The polar mass moment of inertia was calculated using the Parallel Axis
Theorem. Different properties of the equipment, variations and actual measurements will affect the
results. Figure below displays a schematic diagram of Trifilar suspension.

4
Figure 2 Schematic Diagram of the Trifilar Suspension Setup

2.1 Formulae

Equations that will calculate polar moment of inertia and periodic rotation are needed.

The moment of inertia of a solid object is obtained by integrating the second moment of mass about a
particular axis. The general formula for inertia is [3]:

Ig = mk 2

Where,
Ig is the inertia in kgm2 about the mass centre
m is the mass in kg
k is the radius of gyration about mass centre in m

In order to calculate the inertia of an assembly, the local inertia Ig needs to be increased by an amount
mh2

Where,
m is the local mass in kg.
h is the distance between parallel axis passing through the local mass centre and the mass centre for the
overall assembly.

The Parallel Axis Theory has to be applied to every component of the assembly. Thus,

5
I = ∑ (Ig + mh 2 )

The polar moments of inertia for some standard solids are:

Cylindrical solid mr 2
I0 =
2
Circular tube m 2 2
Itube = (r0 + ri )
2
Square hollow section m 2 2
Isq.section = (a 0 + a i )
6

An assembly of three solid masses on a circular platform is suspended from three chains to form a trifilar
suspension. For small oscillations about a vertical axis, the periodic time is related to the Moment of
Inertia.

1 3
L
Ø θ θ
Ø Ø
Ø

Ø600 θ 2

Figure 3 Dimensions of Trifilar Suspension

From Figure [3.1],

θ is the angle between the radius and the tangential reference line.
Therefore by using the equation,
sinθ = θ = x θ
R Since is a very small angle
Where, R is the Radius of the circular platform.

dθ
ω=
Differentiating θ gives, dt
d2θ
α=
Then differentiating again gives dt 2

Now,

6
 x F xmg
sinθ = = F=
L mg >>> L

Using the standard equation for Torque, FR = Iα

 xmg  d2θ
FR =  R = −Iα α= 2
Hence  L  where x = Rθ and dt

After simplification the equation becomes

 d 2 θ  R 2 mgθ
− I 2  =
 dt  L [1]

Equation for the 2nd order differential SHM is taken as

d2 y
2
+ ω2 x = 0
dx [2]

Therefore, by drawing comparisons between Equation [1] and Equation [2], an equation for the angular
velocity ω can be derived.

Generalizing the theoretical aspect of the experiment, w can be calculated using Integration.

dθ d2θ
= θωcos( ωt ) = θω 2 sin( ωt )
θ = θsin( ωt ) >> dt >> dt 2

Putting this in Equation [1], an equation for the angular velocity can be determined.

Therefore, simplifying Equation [1] using the value for the angular acceleration the equation becomes

R 2mg
I( − ωsin( ωt ) ) + =0
L
R 2mg
I( ω 2 ) =
This simplifies further to L
mgR 2
ω=
Therefore the angular velocity LI

The time period is inversely proportional to the angular velocity and hence can be calculated to compare
with the experimental time period.

2π
T=
Using the equation ω ,

The theoretical periodic time can be calculated in terms of the mass and the moment of inertia.

7
 LI
T = 2π
Hence
mgR 2 [3]

Where,

I is the Polar Moment of Inertia

L is the Vertical length of the Trifilar suspension
m is the Mass of the shapes placed on the Circular platform
R is the Radius of the Circular platform

Experimental Method

3.1 Procedure

The equipment to be used in the experiment is prepared. The trifiliar suspension is observed before
performing the experiment. The reference tangential line was drawn on the paper to make it correspond
with the tip of the circular platform. The Trifilar suspension was then rotated to check for any irregular
rotational movement. The stopwatch was calibrated for the zero error and the timer was adjusted to zero.

When everything was set, the pointer was kept on the reference line and the circular platform was allowed
to complete one oscillation. Nothing was placed on the platform. The time for the oscillation is note. The
time for the oscillation was noted. This process was repeated three times and the average periodic time
reading was taken into consideration. The tube was kept next on the circular platform at the centre of
gravity point and the procedure will be repeated 2 more times.

A solid mass was then positioned over the centre of mass of the circular platform and steps 3 and 4 were
repeated.

Then, all the masses (solid mass, square section and cylinder) were placed on the circular platform. All
the masses were positioned at equal distances from the centre and steps 3 and 4 were repeated again.

After getting the required time period for the oscillations, the height of the trifilar suspension was
measured using a measuring tape.

After the test it is now possible to calculate the periodic time using the data from the tables and derived
formulae and compare with the theoretical values

8
3.2 Apparatus/Equipments:

The trifilar suspension is used while conducting the experiment. The main apparatus consisted of circular
plywood attached and hooked onto a hanger via chains.

The chains were tight to keep the base of the trifilar suspension as flat as possible. The chains are held
from the top by means of a hangar, on which the chains are hooked and joined.

To determine the mass moments of inertia a trifilar pendulum will be created using different type of solid
masses or weights. The stop watch is used to record the time of the oscillations.

The distance of the solid masses to the centre of the circular plywood is measured using a ruler and the
chain that supports the circular plywood was measured using a measuring tape.

9
Figure 4 shows the set up of apparatus/equipment:

Figure 5 shows the masses arrangement on the platform.

Results and Calculations

4.1 Data
Technical Data:
Circular Platform
 Weight: 2 kg
 Diameter: 600 mm

Cylinder Weight (mild steel)

 Weight: 6.8 kg
 Diameter: 126 mm

Circular Hollow Tube (mild steel)

 Weight: 2.2 kg
 Diameter(inner): 78 mm
 Diameter(outer): 98 mm

Square Section (mild steel)

 Weight: 2.5 kg
 Area: 100 mm
 Thickness: 6 mm


10
Trifilar String Length: 2.12m Trifilar Base Radius: 0.33m

Table 1 below shows the recorded time and mass for each load. After doing the necessary calculations,
the theoretical data’s were displayed in a table. The readings were compared to draw a possible trend.
Calculations were then used to plot a graph between the experimental and the tabulated data.

Load Mass Experimental Polar Moment Theoretical

(kg) Time (sec) Time
Circular Platform 8.8 0.73 0.09 0.80 0.011
Cylindrical Tube
Circular Platform 13.5 1.38 0.38 1.65 0.028
Cylindrical Tube
Hollow Circular Tube
Square Hallow Section
Circular Platform 2 1.77 0.09 2.06 0.045

Table1 Recorded and Calculated Values (3 sets of

trials)

4.2 Calculations

Mass Moment of Area about the centroid of the weights is calculated.

mr 2 2 × 0.3 2
Circular Platform I0 = = = 0.09kgm 2
2 2

Hollow Cylinder Weight I0 =

2
(
m 2
)
r0 + ri 2 =
2.196
2
( )
0.049 2 + 0.039 2 = 0.0043kgm 2

Square Hollow Weight I0 =

6
(
m 2
a 0 + ai2 =)2.503
2
( )
0.05 2 + 0.047 2 = 0.0019kgm 2

LI
Using the derived equation, T = 2π
mgR 2

T =0.80 sec

11
Discussion

Moment of inertia is the name given to rotational inertia, the rotational analogue of mass for linear motion.
It appears in the relationships for the dynamics of rotational motion. The moment of inertia must be
specified with respect to a chosen axis of rotation.

The Parallel axis theorem was used to calculate the moment of inertia of the rigid bodies used during the
experiment.

In the experiment the Periodic Time and ratio of I are discussed and compared by the graph and
m
tabulated results in the previous sections.

As for the measured and theoretical periodic time, both quantities are also proportional to each other
which are proved by the calculations and the graph trends.

The slopes was plotted and compared and it was almost constant throughout the experiment.

The results showed that by comparing each test, errors made during the experiment can be analyzed and
support the discussion effectively.

Graph:

The graph below displays the comparison between the Theoretical and Measured Periodic times. Graph
1 show the trend observed when the values for the trials were plotted against time. The graph shows a
linear relationship and the gradient of the slope is positive which shows that this is a positive slope. The
experimental time was calculated using the trifilar suspension and the 3 set of weights by rotating the
circular platform while the experimental time was calculated using the theory of moment of inertia and the
parallel axis theorem.

12
 Graph 1 Theoretical and Measured Time Chart

Graph 2 shows the comparison between the experimental with calculated time with the ratio of I
m.
The graph shows a linear relationship and the gradient of the slope is positive which shows that this is a
positive slope which shows the directly proportionality of the ratio to the Experimental time.

Graph 2 Measured Periodic Time Relationship

Graph 3 shows the comparison between the calculated time with the ratio of I .The theoretical slope.
m
The graph shows a linear relationship and the gradient of the slope is positive which shows that this is a

13
positive slope which shows the direct proportionality of the ratio to the calculated time. The graph shows
that there are small errors in the second set of measurements.

Graph 3 Calculated Periodic Time Relationship

Error analysis:

The error percentage could be around 10% because there’s a very small difference between the actual
and ideal values we got.

Sources of experimental error:

• Measurements/Readings accuracy (stopwatch)

• The start of the oscillation was not exactly according to the drawn tangential path.
• Room temperature and pressure

• The stability of the apparatus and equipments

• Calculations
Resolution to experimental errors:

• Avoid measurement/readings errors (stopwatch)

• Wear proper lab clothing’s to ensure safety and protection.

• Masses should be firmly held

• Set room temperature

14
Conclusion

The moment of inertia of rigid bodies is calculated using the triflar suspension arrangement.

The experimental periodic time is measured and compared with the calculated theoretical time. The
periodic rotation will be calculated using the calculated mass moment of inertia and the derived equations
for the theoretical time period.

The Theories of Parallel Axis and Moment of Inertia are used to calculate and compare the experimental
and theoretical readings.

After analyzing the experimental and theoretical results the test period for both theoretical and

Experimental times respectively were directly proportional to the ratio of I .

m

It can be concluded that the theoretical time calculated was similar to the experimental time measured.
This shows that the lab experiment is accurate.

The experiment is successful though there are small possible errors in the experiment. All of these
values agreed within the estimated experimental errors. To improve the accuracy of the result the
experiment should be performed carefully and the instruction should be followed.

References

1. Mass Moment of Inertia(2008): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia

2. Trifilar Suspension(2008):http://www.eng.uwo.ca/mme385y/Experiments/MME
3. Course Handouts(2008): Trifilar suspension

15
16