ANTI-VIBRATION TECHNIQUES

1 k
MASS SPRING SYSTEM and natural frequency of fo 
2  M
A mass spring system may be represented by a mass
“M”, excited by a force ”F” and supported on an elastic
stiffness element “K” with a dampening factor “C”. The damping parameters are: CC  2  kM
The frequency of the mass spring system is equal to:
Where Cc is the critical damping and 
1 k the damping coefficient.
fo  C
2  M 
CC

For this system we obtain a transmissibility T and a

magnification factor A:

figure 3 2
 
1  2    
K = N/m X o FTo  o 
M= in Kg T  
Fo in Hz o Fo  2  
2

2

C in Ns/m 1   2   2     
 o   o

The effectiveness of the suspension may be measured

by transmissibility, i.e. by the force which is transmitted FTo
by the machine to the ground or floor. It is defined as For the case of active T and
the ratio between the force transmitted to the ground, Fo
and the original force produced by the vibration. Xo
passive isolations, we will have T
Another practical term is often used to describe the o
efficacy of an anti-vibration mount, namely the degree
of insulation, which is: Figure 5 represents the transmissibility curve of the
schematic mass spring system of figure 3.
E = (1-T) x 100%

Transmissibility equation:

Taking the following parameters into account:

X=Xosin(ωt+θ)
Excitation
F=FTosin(ωt+θ)

μ=μosinωt
Response
F=Fosinωt

k
Own Pulsation: o  for C  0
M
Examining this curve allows us to reach basic
conclusions for effective isolation.
If the frequency of excitation is 2 times less the
CREEPING AND LONG-TERM BEHAVIOUR
natural frequency, transmissibility is greater than one,
then the force transmitted is greater than the excitation
If an elastomeric element is under a static load, this
force, there is magnification of the vibrations. When we
load produces a progressive increase in deformation.
work in this area, the existing damping in the system is
This phenomenon may be important in a wide variety of
important. The greater the latter, the smaller the
applications, from mounts for buildings to engine
magnification of the vibrations will be.
mounts.

If the frequency of excitation is 2 times greater than Creeping at a given time t is calculated as:
the natural frequency, transmissibility is less than one,
or in other words the force transmitted is less than the X1  X o
force originated in the system, then we are in the t  100%
damping area. Xo

In order to achieve the greatest isolation, the lowest And is expressed as a percentage (%) of the initial
possible natural frequencies should be sought. There deformation. This value depends on the geometry of
are two ways of doing this: the mount, and above all on the way the rubber is
worked.
 By increasing the system mass.
 By reducing the stiffness of the anti-vibration
mount.

To increase the efficiency of the isolation in the

damping area, it is advisable to have low damping,
although weak damping generates greater
displacement when passing through resonance, it is
advisable to use a damping coefficient t so that
passage through resonance does not give rise to
inadmissible displacement for the machine.

STATIC AND DYNAMIC STIFFNESS

The stiffness of a rubber anti-vibration mount changes

when a dynamic force is applied to it. This parameter
depends on architecture, the compound used and even
the frequency of excitation.

Generally speaking, dynamic stiffness is always greater

than static stiffness, so calculations based on static
stiffness may lead to wrong conclusions.

In some cases it is possible to reach limits of dynamic

stiffness which are two and even three times greater
than the static stiffnesses.

DAMPING

The damping coefficient depends basically on the

compound used in manufacturing of the anti-vibration Designs that use rubber in shear are more conducive
mount. It is a crucial parameter that must be addressed to “Creep” than designs which use rubber in
when designing anti-vibration suspensions. compression or shear and compression.
DYNAMIC TESTING MACHINE

Dynamic stiffness can only be established by measurement on a dynamic test bench. Similarly, the damping
coefficients of compounds are further values that can be measured with this type of machines.

One concept that must be taken into account when designing an anti-vibration mount is its durability. A dynamic testing
machine allows us to conduct fatigue tests that reproduce the real working conditions of the part so that its useful life
can thus be predicted accurately.

ANALYSIS OF SYSTEMS OF MORE THAT ONE DEGREE OF FREEDOM

In actual fact, there are cases where the model of 1 degree of freedom cannot correctly define the behaviour of the
equipment to be isolated. In such cases we have analysis tools that enable more elaborate models to be made taking
into account the 6 Degrees of Freedom rules.

The latest computing tools can also generate virtual models of solid rigid multiples and study how they interact with
each other and with the environment.

As a result, we can ascertain the natural frequencies of the system which are really important to prevent them from
coinciding with the excitation frequencies so as not to have resonance problems.