Visual Aid Depicting Mechanical Vibration Systems to Enhance Student Learning

Abstract

This paper introduces a program developed for simulation of the mechanical vibration of multi-degree-of-freedom systems with lumped masses. Inputs are system properties and initial conditions, and outputs are displacement and velocity of each mass as a function of time. In addition, the trajectory (i.e., velocity vs. displacement) and animation of each mass may be illustrated. The program can automatically generate physical models with lumped masses from a set of different boundary conditions. In addition, one may input a model with dynamic and static coupling. Previous works on this subject have considered one or a limited number of aspects of mechanical vibration of lumped mass systems [1]. This program, on the other hand, covers most options associated with such systems and it may be considered as a helpful tool on a MATLAB® platform for teaching and understanding of the relevant courses, such as mechanical vibration and automatic control, at the undergraduate level.