Mechanical Engineering · Stability and control / Principles and inquiry
Spring oscillation and damping experiment guide
Change mass and damping to compare suspension motion and displacement over time.
How does it work?
Critical damping is the boundary for a fast nonoscillating return.
Key relationship
mẍ + cẋ + kx = 0 · cc = 2√(km)
Try this investigation
- Change mass and damping to compare suspension motion and displacement over time.
- Run and record each of the three reference settings.
- Change one variable and compare force, deformation or response with the reference records.
Interpreting your results
What is the critical damping coefficient?
2√(km) · Critical damping is the boundary for a fast nonoscillating return.
Assumptions and limitations
Analytic free vibration uses a linear spring and viscous damping. Release from rest at an initial road-shock displacement. Friction, nonlinear dampers and tires are omitted.