Can anyone explain the derivation of the formula for cantilever oscillations?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the derivation of formulas for cantilever oscillations, specifically the period (T) and height (h) of oscillations. The formulas presented are T = 2(pi)*[(4ML^3)/(bd^3E)]^1/2 and h = 4MgL^3/Ebd^3, where variables include mass (M), length (L), width (b), thickness (d), and Young's Modulus (E). The user, Ash, seeks clarification on the derivation of these formulas and relates them to principles of simple harmonic motion and Hooke's law. The discussion concludes with a clear understanding of the relationship between the derived formulas and oscillatory motion.

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ash1098
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[SOLVED] Cantilever Investigation

1.Hi,

I am writing a report on cantilever oscillations, my experiment involves fixing different cantilvers e.g. a ruler to the end of a table then measuring the period and height of oscillations while varing the mass attached to the cantilever, and other varients e.g. length of cantilever.


2. I have found these two formulae: (Shown much more clearly in attachments)

T= 2(pi)*[(4ML^3)/(bd^3E)]^1/2

and:

h= 4MgL^3/Ebd^3

where:
b= width of cantilever
d= thickness of cantilever
E= Youngs Modulus
M=Mass
L=Lenght of cantilever
T=period of oscillations
h=height of oscillation


3. I have looked at eqn's involving Hooke's and simple harmonic motion but cannot work out how these formulae have been derived.

Does anyone know how these formulae where derived, or where I can find information on this in general?

Thanks.

ash.

p.s. I have written out the formulae using math open office and attached them in pdf if it helps make them easier to read.
 

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Well I have done a lab to find the Young's Modulus of a loaded cantilever and this is theory which is written down on the paper:

The depression,s,due to a load W(=Mg) at the end of a cantilever of length,l, is

s=\frac{Wl^3}{3IE}

This strain brings into play internal stresses which produce a restoring force equal to W, i.e. equal to \frac{3IEs}{l^3}.

If the acceleration of the load \frac{d^2s}{dt^2} when the cantilever is displaced to produce vertical oscillations,then

M\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}=\frac{-3IE}{l^3}s

OR
\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}+\frac{3IE}{Ml^3}s=0

Hence the motion is Simple harmonic and the periodic time,T, is

T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{Ml^3}{3IE}}

from which

E=\frac{4\pi^2Ml^3}{3IT^2}

For a beam of rectangular section:
I=\frac{bd^3}{12}
I hope that helps in some way
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your reply rock.freak it's really really useful, just one question:

why does T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{Ml^3}{3IE}}

Thanks, ash.
 
Well from
M\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}=\frac{-3IE}{l^3}s

\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}=\frac{-3IE}{Ml^3}s

and that is of the form a=-\omega^2 s where a=\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}

so from that

\omega=\sqrt{\frac{3IE}{Ml^3}}

and since it moves with SHM, the period,T, is given by

T=\frac{2\pi}{\omega}
 
Oh yeah I see it now, Thanks a lot.

Ash.
 

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