Viscously Damped System: Maximum Displacement Calculation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the maximum displacement of a viscously damped system given specific parameters such as stiffness, critical damping constant, logarithmic decrement, and initial velocity. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and homework-related problem-solving.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a detailed calculation of maximum displacement, including assumptions about initial conditions and derived equations of motion.
  • Another participant questions the mass calculation, suggesting it should yield a significantly larger value.
  • A different participant expresses uncertainty about the final steps to find maximum displacement, indicating a lack of clarity in the process.
  • Several participants discuss the relationship between the coefficients in the equations of motion, particularly the damping coefficient and critical damping constant.
  • There is mention of potential discrepancies in the units of the critical damping constant, with suggestions that it may be given in different units than expected.
  • One participant notes that the textbook does not provide an answer to the problem, which adds to the uncertainty in verifying the calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mass calculation and the interpretation of the damping coefficient. There is no consensus on the correctness of the initial calculations or the assumptions made, indicating ongoing debate and uncertainty.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential issues with unit conversions and assumptions made in the problem statement, which may affect the calculations. The discussion reflects a need for clarity on definitions and parameters used in the equations.

Dustinsfl
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Homework Statement


A viscously damped system has a stiffness of 5000 N/m, critical damping constant of 0.2 N-s/m, and a logarithmic decrement of 2.0. If the system is given an initial velocity of 1 m/s, determine the maximum displacement.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


From the question, we have that ##k = 5000##, ##\delta = 2.0##, ##c_c = 0.2##, and ##\dot{x}(0) = 1##. I suppose we are also assuming then that ##x(0) = 0## then for no initial displacement.

Then
$$
\zeta = \frac{\delta}{\sqrt{(2\pi)^2 + \delta^2}}\approx 0.303314
$$
and
$$
\zeta = \frac{c}{c_c}\Rightarrow c = c_c\zeta\approx 0.0606629
$$

Our general equation of motion is
\begin{align}
x(t) &= e^{-\zeta\omega_nt}\Bigg[x(0)\cos\bigg(\omega_nt\sqrt{1 - \zeta^2}\bigg) +
\frac{\dot{x}(0) + \zeta\omega_nx(0)}{\omega_n\sqrt{1 - \zeta^2}}\sin\bigg(\omega_nt\sqrt{1 - \zeta^2}\bigg)\Bigg]\\
&= e^{-\zeta\omega_nt}\frac{\dot{x}(0)}{\omega_n\sqrt{1 - \zeta^2}}\sin\bigg(\omega_nt\sqrt{1 - \zeta^2}\bigg)
\end{align}
Since ##c_c = 2\sqrt{km}##, ##m = \frac{c_c^2}{4k} = 2\times 10^{-6}##.

I feel wary of the mass being so small which leads to ##\omega_n = 50000##.

Then to find the maximum displacement, I set ##\dot{x} = 0##, and since this is an underdamped system, the max displacement will be at the first t critical for t > 0.

So ##t_c = 0.000026501## and ##x_{\max} = 0.0000133809##.

Is this correct is or something wrong or is this method incorrect?
 
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Check how you derived the formula for your mass calculation. I get hundreds of kg.

The effort you put into casting this in Latex is appreciated. :cool:
 
Dustinsfl said:

Homework Statement


A viscously damped system has a stiffness of 5000 N/m, critical damping constant of 0.2 N-s/m, and a logarithmic decrement of 2.0. If the system is given an initial velocity of 1 m/s, determine the maximum displacement.

Homework Equations


I couldn't fid anything wrong including the mass and radian frequency calculations but I did not do the final part to find xmax (setting dx(t)/dt = 0 etc.). Straightforward but laborious ...
 
NascentOxygen said:
Check how you derived the formula for your mass calculation. I get hundreds of kg.

The effort you put into casting this in Latex is appreciated. :cool:

How did you find the mass then? I ask because rude man doesn't see an issue so I have two different views of the same problem.
 
Dustinsfl said:
How did you find the mass then? I ask because rude man doesn't see an issue so I have two different views of the same problem.

Welcome to the club! Happens a lot on these forums. :smile:
 
mx'' + Cx' + Kx = f(t)

K = mω²

Just check, but isn't C = mc?
 
Zeta = c/c_c

Where c is the damping coefficient and c_c is the critical damping so c=c_c*zeta
 
I think you'll find that where the coefficient of x'' is m, the coefficient of x' is mc and written as C.

Does the textbook give you their answers?
 
NascentOxygen said:
I think you'll find that where the coefficient of x'' is m, the coefficient of x' is mc and written as C.

Does the textbook give you their answers?

If the coefficient of x'' is m the the coefficient of x' is c.
mx'' is force and so is cx'. And so are kx and any forcing function F(t).
 
  • #10
You're right. So I need to find the missing thousands some other way. Dustinsfl, could you check the original question and see whether ##c_c## isn't actually given in N-s/mm? The textbook answer would be useful here.
 
  • #11
The units for c_c are in the problem statement post one. The book has no answer to this problem.
 
  • #12
Similar questions in your textbook may reveal that ##c_c## is being given typically in kN-s/m (or N-s/mm), suggesting a typo in this question.
 
  • #13
NascentOxygen said:
You're right. So I need to find the missing thousands some other way. Dustinsfl, could you check the original question and see whether ##c_c## isn't actually given in N-s/mm? The textbook answer would be useful here.

What "missing thousands"?
 
  • #14
The factor that turns it into something realistic. :w
 

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