Calculating Contact Time and Damping Coefficient for a Second Order System

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the contact time and damping coefficient for a second-order system represented by the differential equation 2y'' + 4y' + 8y = 8x. Participants explore the relationship between the damping coefficient and the system's characteristics, including time constants and the nature of the roots of the characteristic equation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to find the contact time and damping coefficient for the given second-order system.
  • Another participant derives the characteristic equation from the transfer function and identifies the natural frequency ωn as 2 and the damping coefficient ξ as 0.5.
  • A different participant notes a discrepancy with a book's answer, which states the damping coefficient is 1, and questions how to find the time constant.
  • One participant explains that the characteristic equation has complex roots, indicating that a damping ratio of 1 would require real roots, and discusses the implications of complex roots on time constants.
  • Another participant mentions that when roots are complex, the concept of a "time constant" becomes ambiguous as the time is complex, and the system will exhibit oscillatory behavior influenced by the damping coefficient.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct value of the damping coefficient, with some asserting it is 0.5 based on their calculations, while others reference a book that claims it is 1. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct damping coefficient and its implications.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of damping coefficients and time constants, as well as the implications of complex roots in the characteristic equation.

huma
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< Mentor Note -- thread moved to HH from the technical physics forums, so no HH Template is shown >[/color]

how we can find contact time of second order system ? 2y**+4y*+8y=8x I want to find damping coefficient ... howz possible
 
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huma said:
2y**+4y*+8y=8x
( 2s2 + 4s + 8 ) * y(s) = 8 * x(s)

Finding y(s)/x(s) the characteristic equation of the transfer function will be:

2s2 + 4s + 8 = 0 →

s2 + 2s + 4 = 0

which can be formulated

s2 + 2ξωns + ωn2 = 0

So ωn = 2 , the damping coefficient, ξ = 0.5
 
Hesch said:
( 2s2 + 4s + 8 ) * y(s) = 8 * x(s)

Finding y(s)/x(s) the characteristic equation of the transfer function will be:

2s2 + 4s + 8 = 0 →

s2 + 2s + 4 = 0

which can be formulated

s2 + 2ξωns + ωn2 = 0

So ωn = 2 , the damping coefficient, ξ = 0.5
actually I got this question from a book of M.handa .I solved my answer are same but the answer given in the book is damping coefficient is 1 ... can you tell me about time constant . how we can find it
 
huma said:
the answer given in the book is damping coefficient is 1 .
The equation

2s2 + 4s + 8 = 0

has two complex roots: s = -1 ± j√3.

If the characteristic equation were to have a damping ratio = 1, it should have two real roots at the same location, for example.
s1 = -1.2 , s2 = -1.2.
In this case the characteristic equation could be written:
s2 + 2.4s + 1.44 = 0
and the transfer function would have a double time constant = 1/1.2 sec.

If the characteristic equation were
s2 + 7s + 10 = 0
the two roots would be s1 = -2 , s2 = -5 , and the transfer function would have two time constants:
τ1 = 0.5 sec. , τ2 = 0.2 sec.

When a root is complex, we cannot speak of a "time constant". The time is complex. The system will oscillate within some damping coefficient.

2000px-2nd_Order_Damping_Ratios.svg.png
 
Last edited:
thankyou :)
 

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