KUWAIT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND PETROLEUM MECHANICAL AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals Lab ME-373

Engineering Formal Laboratory Report Experiment # 5 Bifilar and Trifilar Suspensions (Mass Moment of Inertia Determination)

By Ahmad Abdullah Al-Kandri 206217099 Hassan Hussain Saleem 206216926 Nayef Nazih Ftouni 206216827

On our honor we pledge that this work of us does not violate the university provisions an academic misconduct. By signing below, we certify that we understand the university policies on academic misconduct and that when an act of academic misconduct is committed, all parties involved in violation.

Abstract:
In this experiment a bifilar and trifilar suspension methods are applied to determine the mass momentum of inertia of a beam, platform, cylindrical mass and a body with an irregular mass. First with the bifilar method a body was suspended by two parallel cords with the same length and by displacing the system through a small angle and using few equations which will be given further in the report we get the time period and then calculating the mass moment of inertia. Moreover, and for the trifilar method a platform was suspended by three cords having the same length and also by getting the time period and the moment of inertia of the platform we calculated the moment of inertia of a cylindrical mass and a body with an irregular mass.

Table of contents:
Abstract ..... (3) Table of contents ......... (4) List of figures and tables.. (5) Nomenclature........... (6) Chapter 1 1.1 Introduction (7) 1.2 objectives ..(8) Chapter 2 Theoretical background .. (9) Chapter 3 Experimental setup and procedure .... (15) 3.1 Equipments .. (15) 3.2 Procedure. (16) Chapter 4 Results and discussion.. (18) 4.1 Sample calculations... (19) 4.2 Discussion .. (39) 4.3 Uncertainty Analysis ....... (40) Chapter 5 Conclusions... (42) References.... (43)

List of figures and tables:

Figures:
Figure (1): Bifilar suspension. (7) Figure (2): (a) Bifilar suspension, (b) Trifilar suspension... (10) Figure (3): The relation between log L and log . (38)

List of tables:
Table 1: Bifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.4 (m) ..........................................25 Table 2: Bifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.45 (m) ........................................26 Table 3: Bifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.48 (m) ........................................27 Table 4: Trifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.4 (m) .........................................35 Table 5: Trifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.44 (m) .......................................36 Table 6: Trifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.5 (m) .........................................37

Nomenclature

Symbols

Scientific Name
Distance between the cords (m)

d F

Restoring force (N)

Acceleration of gravity (m/ )

Mass-Moment of inertia of the body (

Radius of gyration

Length of the cords (m)

Mass (kg)

Restoring moment (N.m)

Tension in the cords (N.m)

Angle of twist (degrees)

Angular velocity (rad/s) Time period (s)

Chapter 1
Introduction
In this chapter we will introduce to you two methods for determining the mass moment of inertia which are the bifilar and trifilar suspension.

1.1 Bifilar suspension method The bifilar suspension method is a way to determine the mass momentum of inertia. (Fig. a) shows a uniform rod of mass M and length L suspended horizontally by two vertical strings. The length of each string is l and they are attached symmetrically about the center O, a distance R apart. If the bat is now twisted horizontally, it will undergo SHM. We wish to analyze this motion, and in particular to find the period.

l A O R L B A

Figure 1: Bifilar suspension.

And by calculating the time period we can calculate the mass moment of inertia by using some formulas we will provide later in the report.

1.2 Trifilar suspension method

The trifilar suspension method is a way to determine the mass moment of inertia for a bodies especially a body with an irregular mass, as you can see in figure(c) a platform is suspended with three cords and three cords have the same length and they are spaces around the platform center, now if we want to determine the mass of inertia we put the object or the body at the platform in the centroidal axis. And by displacing the platform through a small angel we can calculate the mass time period and then using some formulas we will provide later we can determine the mass moment of inertia

1.3 Objectives

The objectives of this experiment are to introduce the bifilar and trifilar suspension methods as options for determining the mass moment of inertia of a rigid body or group of rigid bodies. this should lead to the capability of designing experiments for determining moments of inertia of rigid bodies using either bifilar or trifilar pendulum systems.

The other objective is to compare theoretical results obtained from pendulum modeling with experimental results and determining accuracy.

Chapter 2
Theoretical Background
Inertia Determination
Mass- moment of inertia I, about an axis of rotation is theoretically can be determined by:

I Where:

(1)

r : Distance between the location of mass element, dm, and the axis of rotation The integration is performed over the entire mass of the body if the axis of rotation coincides with the body centroidal axis, the moment of inertia is given by .

The parallel axis theorem is given by: I= + m Where: I: The inertia of the body about the axis of rotation. : the inertia of the body about its own centroidal axis. m: Mass of the body. d: the perpendicular distance from the centroidal axis of the body to the axis of rotation. (2)

Bifilar suspension:

Figure 2: (a) Bifilar suspension, (b) Trifilar suspension.

In figure1 (a) shows the Bifilar suspension and the body is suspended by two parallel cords of length L at a distance R=d apart, the tensions in the cords are respectively:

and and

(4)

If the system is displaced through a small angle about its central axis, then angular displacement and will result at the supporting chords. If both angles are small, then: 10

L =

and and

L =

(6) (7)

The horizontal restoring forces at the points of attachment with the plate are: (8) (9) And using equation (7) to substitute into (8) and (9) and then get:

=
Where the minus sign is related to the restoring effect. Using equation (4), the restoring moment is rewritten as: = -mg

(10)

(11)

Using Newtons second law and summing moment about the vertical centroidal axis give equation of motion of the body can be written as:

= - mg

(12)

Where:

= Mass-moment of inertia of the body about the centroidal axis

The natural frequency of the system can be directly obtained from as:

(13)

The period that measured experimentally is related to the natural frequency by:

11

=2

(14)

Using equation (14) the experimental mass-moment of inertia is given by:

=
Equation (15) can be rewritten in terms of the radius of gyration:

(15)

Where: k = Radius of gyration defined by =m

(16)

(17)

To reduce the error, different readings at different cords length, L, should be taken and a relation between the cord length and the corresponding mass moment of inertia is to be obtained. In this regard, equation (15) can be written as:

L=
This can be rewritten as,

(18)

L=k
With k defined as:

(19)

k=

(20)

12

Trifilar suspension:
The trifilar maybe more useful when the shape is highly irregular, and a third suspension is required to give a more stable and consistent oscillation. Figure1 (b) outlines the trifilar suspension in detail.

Where the platform is suspended by three cords of equal length and is equally spaced about the platform centre. And the round platform serves as triangular one. The part whose moment of inertia is to be determined, is carefully placed on the platform so that its centroidal axis coincides with that of platform.

The platform is then made to oscillate and the number of oscillate is counted over a specific period of time. The sum of moment M about a vertical axis coinciding with the centroidal axis of the body is: ( ) ( ) (21)

Where: m: mass of body whose moment of inertia is to be determined. : Mass of platform. Moment of inertia of body about its centroidal axis. Moment of inertia of platform about its centroidal axis. R: distance form platform center of mass to suspension point. : platform displaced angle. : cord displaced angle. L: cord length.

Since dealing the small displacement angles, the angles can be equated to the angles themselves (in radians). Therefore: = (22)

13

And equation (20) becomes:

( ( ) )

(23)

Therefore, the period is given by:

( ( )

(24)

And, the experimental mass moment of inertia is given as:

( )

(25)

To reduce the error during the experiment, more than one measurement is required. Along this line, a relation between the cord length L and the period is to be obtained:

L=

( (

) )

(26)

This can be rewritten as:

L=C
With C defined as:
( ( ) )

(27)

C=

(28)

14

Chapter 3
Experimental setup and procedure

This chapter is divided into four parts and each part is illustrated briefly. First of all, the needed equipments for the Bifilar and Trifilar experiment will be illustrated with some figures for more details.

While proceeding in this chapter, the procedure involved in the Bifilar and Trifilar experiment will be explained briefly. Beginning with adjusting the length of the cords until recording the needed data such as the oscillation time.

Finally, after the set of procedure is done for the both cases, The study of the relationship between the mass-moment of inertia of the body and the time period is simply investigated.

3.1 Equipments:

In order to perform the bifilar and trifilar experiment, a set of equipments is needed and is illustrated as follows:
1. Stop watch. 2. Ruler. 3. Electronic scale for weighting parts.

For the previous set of equipments, some helpful notes should be considered such as being careful while recording the cord length and weighting parts

15

3.2 Procedure:

This section of this chapter is divided into two parts. First, the procedure related to the bifilar apparatus is illustrated. Secondly, the procedure for the trifilar apparatus is discussed briefly.

3.2.1 Bifilar apparatus procedure:

In order to perform this case of this experiment sufficiently and achieve the needed results with a great possibility to eliminate the human errors as much as possible, a specific set of procedures should be followed and is illustrated as follows:

1. Measure the dimension and the mass of the beam. 2. Suspend the beam by the cords and adjust their common length L. 3. Displace the beam by small angle, release it and determine the periodic time of free oscillations by timing 20 oscillations. 4. Repeat step 3 for three different values of L. 5. Measure the dimensions of the cylindrical masses. 6. Place the cylindrical masses of known weight either side of the center of gravity of the beam, maintaining a specified distance between the masses. 7. Repeat the procedure with an irregularly shaped body that can be fixed on the beam. 8. In each test, record L, time period and the mass of the beam. Then use equation (13) and (14) to calculate the mass-moment of inertia and radius of gyration of the beam alone and of the beam with masses placed on it.

16

3.2.2 Trifilar apparatus procedure:

1. Measure the mass and radius of the plate. Suspend the plate by the wires and adjust their common length L very accurately. 2. Displace the plate with a small angle, release it and determine the periodic time of free oscillations by timing 30 oscillations. 3. Repeat step 2 for different values of L. 4. Find the mass of the body then place it on the plate so heir centers of gravity coincide. Repeat steps 2 and 3. 5. Apply equation (22) to determine the mass-moment of inertia of the body and radius of gyration in each case. Estimate the error involved.

17

Chapter 4
Results and discussion:

In this chapter, some sample calculations are obtained in order to achieve the desired results. In the other hand, these results which are obtained are discussed briefly.

As a first step, for both the bifilar and trifilar setups, the time period, theoretical and experimental mass-moment of inertia of different cases and the percentage error between them, and the radius of gyration of the beam alone and of the beam with masses placed on it.

18

4.1 Sample calculations.

Bifilar Apparatus:

1. Total mass of frame hanging with wires = 1.444 kg. 2. Width of frame = 25.25 mm. 3. Height of frame = 12.75 mm. 4. Length of frame = 503 mm. 5. Distance between the wires = 15 mm. 6. Number of holes in hanging rectangular x-section bar = 15. 7. Distance between each hole from center to center = 25 mm. 8. Diameter of each hole = 10.42 mm. 9. Diameter of each cylinder fixed at the end of rectangular section = 20 mm. 10. Length of each cylinder fixed at the end of rectangular section = 50 mm. 11. Length of wires = 400mm. 450mm. 480mm. 12. Diameter of cylindrical mass 76.25. 13. Height of cylindrical mass = 50.9 mm. 14. Mass of each cylindrical mass = 1.793. 15. Distance between two masses 150mm. 200mm. 250mm. 16. Mass of the irregular shape = 2.513 kg.

19

For the Bifilar apparatus case, the following three cases are to be investigated where the cord length was 400 (mm) as follows:

(a) The beam only:

Theoretical:

= 0.45721497

20

Experimental:

For first trail when the length of the cord = 400 mm with having 20 oscillations, the calculated mass-moment of inertia of the platform and the time period were found to be:

= 0.8955 (s)

And the mass-moment of inertia of the platform was calculated using equation (13) as follows: = = = 0.45501

Also, the percentage error was found as shown: % Error =

21

(b) The beam with one cylindrical mass placed on it.

Theoretical:

= 0.048327651 (

Experimental:

Using equation (13), the following experimental data of the massmoment of inertia was found as follow:

= =

= 0.045155684 ( %Error =

22

( c ) The beam with two cylindrical masses spaced 250 (mm) .

Theoretical: I = I (plate) I (holes) +I (fixed cylinders) + I (cylindrical masses placed) =

= 0.104358901 (

Experimental:

In this case, with the two cylindrical masses placed 250 (mm), the massmoment of inertia was calculated using equation (13) as follows:

= = =

= 0.7545 (s)

= 0.104606813 ( % Error = = 0.294 %

23

As the previous cases were discussed briefly on the theoretical and experimental basis, the same previous steps were repeated for different cord length as illustrated in the next pages tables.

24

Table 1: Bifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.4 (m)

Cord Length L (m) 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 No. of Oscillations (cycles) 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 Time of Oscillations (sec) 17.85 17.72 17.91 12.06 12.13 12.09 11.85 11.78 11.94 13.28 13.32 13.14 14.85 15.09 15.09 16.35 16.25 16.44 Period, 0.8925 0.886 0.8955 0.603 0.6065 0.6045 0.5925 0.589 0.597 0.664 0.666 0.657 0.7425 0.7545 0.7545 0.8175 0.8125 0.822 Average time (s) 17.82666667 Average Period 0.891333333 Plate Moment of inertia Theoretical 0.045721497 Experimental 0.045196926 0.044540993 0.045501282 0.044636018 0.045155684 0.044858364 0.064508686 0.063748809 0.065492285 0.081017277 0.081506068 0.079318085 0.101305821 0.104606813 0.104606813 0.061356248 0.060608008 0.062033588 % Error 1.147318216 2.581945984 0.481645472 7.638759785 6.563461263 7.178679599 5.825225218 6.934552391 4.389290021 3.765841915 3.185244993 5.784180162 3.626517664 0.294475985 0.294475985 14.94649851 14.94649851 14.94649851

System

Only beam

Beam with one mass in the center Beam with two masses of distance 150 mm Beam with two masses of distance 200 mm Beam with two masses of distance 250 mm Irregular shape

12.09333333

0.604666667

0.048327651

11.85666667

0.592833333

0.068498901

13.24666667

0.662333333

0.084187651

15.01

0.7505

0.104358901

16.34666667

0.817333333

0.048773142

25

Table 2: Bifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.45 (m)

System Cord Length L (m) 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 No. of Oscillations (cycles) 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 Time of Oscillations (sec) 18.63 19 19 13 12.82 12.78 12.68 12.72 12.53 15.03 15.06 15.03 15.75 15.85 15.82 17.35 17.16 17.16 Period, 0.9315 0.95 0.95 0.65 0.641 0.639 0.634 0.636 0.6265 0.7515 0.753 0.7515 0.7875 0.7925 0.791 0.8675 0.858 0.858 Average time (s) 18.87666667 Average Period 0.943833333 Plate Moment of inertia Theoretical 0.045721497 Experimental 0.043762855 0.045518416 0.045518416 0.046102556 0.044834709 0.044555366 0.06565495 0.066069831 0.064110788 0.09224587 0.092614485 0.09224587 0.101295485 0.10258586 0.10219789 0.061414329 0.060076597 0.060076597 % Error 4.283854264 0.4441707 0.4441707 4.604185043 7.227626401 7.805646014 4.151819235 3.546145034 6.406107612 9.571735346 10.009584 9.571735346 3.638795325 2.106058254 2.566897967 15.01548924 15.01548924 15.01548924

Only beam

Beam with one mass in the center Beam with two masses of distance 150 mm Beam with two masses of distance 200 mm Beam with two masses of distance 250 mm Irregular shape

12.86666667

0.643333333

0.048327651

12.64333333

0.632166667

0.068498901

15.04

0.752

0.084187651

15.80666667

0.790333333

0.104358901

17.22333333

0.861166667

0.048773142

26

Table 3: Bifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.48 (m)

System Cord Length L (m) 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 No. of Oscillations (cycles) 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 Time of Oscillations (sec) 19.53 19.56 19.72 13.44 13.28 13.41 13.22 13.25 12.63 14.63 14.66 14.47 16.28 16.13 16.25 17.66 17.47 17.41 Period, 0.9765 0.978 0.986 0.672 0.664 0.6705 0.661 0.6625 0.6315 0.7315 0.733 0.7235 0.814 0.8065 0.8125 0.883 0.8735 0.8705 Average time (s) 19.60333333 Average Period 0.980166667 Plate Moment of inertia Theoretical 0.045721497 Experimental 0.045087453 0.045226077 0.045968998 0.046196398 0.045103031 0.045990395 0.066905706 0.067209707 0.061067051 0.081938668 0.082275056 0.080156235 0.101463315 0.099602212 0.101089716 0.059651783 0.058375127 0.057974842 % Error 1.386753778 1.083561808 0.541321699 4.410006579 6.672411469 4.836271348 2.325869495 1.882064854 10.84959004 2.671393071 2.271823432 4.788607411 3.439442497 5.650103475 3.883211714 12.92189689 12.92189689 12.92189689

Only beam

Beam with one mass in the center Beam with two masses of distance 150 mm Beam with two masses of distance 200 mm Beam with two masses of distance 250 mm Irregular shape

13.37666667

0.668833333

0.048327651

13.03333333

0.651666667

0.068498901

14.58666667

0.729333333

0.084187651

16.22

0.811

0.104358901

17.51333333

0.875666667

0.048773142

27

As investigated from the previous tables related to the bifilar suspension, it is noticeable that the percentage error related to the theoretical and the experimental results is somehow small and acceptable.

28

Trifilar Apparatus:
1. Total mass of round plate = 4.365 kg. 2. Diameter of plate = 628mm. 3. Thickness of plate 3.34mm 4. Length of wire 828mm. 5. Radius of circle at wire fixing position 272mm 6. Inside diameter of hallow cylinder 83.62mm 7. Outside diameter of hallow cylinder = 200mm. 8. Height of hallow cylinder = 200mm. 9. Mass of hallow cylinder = 13.86 kg. 10. Mass of irregular shape = 5.656 kg. After recording the data obtained in the lab for this case, and the theoretical equation for different shapes, the values of (I) the Moment of inertia for different cases are calculated as follows:

(a) The platform alone:

Theoretical: = = 0.48441024

Experimental:

Equations (23), (24) and (25) are used to get the theoretical data by substituting the data measured in the lab. For first trail when the length of the cord = 400 mm, and we had 30 oscillations. And average time for this case was calculated after three trails had been done and it was found to be sec

29

L=C C=L/

= 0.99667

(sec)

C=

0.388 (m /

C=

= 0.457430617

Error =

30

(b) The platform horizontal cylindrical mass placed on it at the centroid.

Theoretical:

= 0.513003156 Experimental:

Equations (23), (24) and (25) were used to obtain the theoretical data by substitute using the data measured in the lab.

For the first trail when the length of the cord = 400 mm, and performing d 30 oscillations. The average time involved in this case after three repetitions was found to be sec L=C C=L/

= C=
(

= 0.5511 (sec)

1.317 (m /
)

C=

31

% Error =

And by performing the same procedure for each case for different cord lengths.
( c ) The platform with vertical cylindrical mass placed on it at the centroid .

Theoretical:

=((3/2)*4.365*0.272^2)+((1/2)*13.86*0.1^2)-((1/2)*13.86*0.0418^2)
= 0.541601867 Experimental:

Equations (23), (24) and (25) were used to obtain the theoretical data by substitute using the data measured in the lab.

For the first trail when the length of the cord = 400 mm, and performing d 30 oscillations. The average time involved in this case after three repetitions was found to be sec L=C C=L/

= 0.54333 (sec)

32

C=
(

1.3549 (m /
)

C=

% Error =

( d ) The platform alone with irregular mass placed on it at the centroid .

Experimental: Equations (23), (24) and (25) were used to get the theoretical data by substitute using the data measured in the lab. For first trail when the length of the cord = 400 mm, and we had 30 oscillations. And we did it three time to get the average time for this case. To reduce the personality error and we got sec L=C C=L/ = = = 0.676 sec

C=
(

0.707667 m /
)

C=

33

Note: For the irregular shape you cant get the theoretical moment of inertia, but you can approximate it for the irregular shape by treating it as group of homogenous solids.

So the theoretical moment of inertia approximated to:

(( )

( )

%Error =

34

Table 4: Trifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.4 (m)

System

Only Plate Plate with horizontal cylindrical mass placed on it at the centroid Plate with vertical cylindrical mass placed on it at the centroid Plate with irregular mass placed on it at the centroid

Cord Length L (m) 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

No. of Oscillations (cycles) 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30

Time of Oscillations (sec) 29.8 29.8 30.2 16.4 16.5 16.7 15.7 16.8 16.4 21.3 21.2 21.2

Period, 1.49 1.49 1.51 0.82 0.825 0.835 0.785 0.84 0.82 1.065 1.06 1.06

Average time (s) 29.93333333

Average Period 1.496666667

Plate Moment of inertia Theoretical 0.48441024 Experimental 0.445393497 0.445393497 0.457430617 0.563225526 0.570115071 0.584019806 0.5161714 0.591034996 0.563225526 0.52239302 0.517499435 0.517499435 % Error 8.05448343 8.05448343 5.569581401 9.789875347 11.13285828 13.84331624 4.695417042 9.127207977 3.99253776 2.41376363 3.327915373 3.327915373

16.53333333

0.826666667

0.513003156

16.3

0.815

0.541601867

21.23333333

1.061666667

0.53531424

35

Table 5: Trifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.44 (m)

System Cord Length L (m) 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 No. of Oscillations (cycles) 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 Time of Oscillations (sec) 31.4 31.6 31.7 16.2 16.2 16.4 16.9 16.7 17.1 23.1 23 22.9 Period, 1.57 1.58 1.585 0.81 0.81 0.82 0.845 0.835 0.855 1.155 1.15 1.145 Average time (s) 31.56666667 Average Period 1.578333333 Plate Moment of inertia Theoretical 0.48441024 Experimental 0.449549951 0.45529494 0.458181114 0.499610983 0.499610983 0.512023205 0.543720061 0.530927096 0.556665324 0.558559487 0.553733942 0.548929332 % Error 7.196439229 6.010463261 5.414651525 2.610544028 2.610544028 0.191022412 0.391098067 1.970962712 2.781278617 4.342355492 3.44091388 2.543383077

Only Plate Plate with horizontal cylindrical mass placed on it at the centroid Plate with vertical cylindrical mass placed on it at the centroid Plate with irregular mass placed on it at the centroid

16.26666667

0.813333333

0.513003156

16.9

0.845

0.541601867

23

1.15

0.53531424

36

Table 6: Trifilar suspension with cord length equal to 0.5 (m)

System Cord Length L (m) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 No. of Oscillations (cycles) 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 Time of Oscillations (sec) 34.3 33.5 33.9 18.5 18.7 18.2 18.6 17.92 18.1 23.8 23.9 24.2 Period, 1.715 1.675 1.695 0.925 0.935 0.91 0.93 0.896 0.905 1.19 1.195 1.21 Average time (s) 33.9 Average Period 1.695 Plate Moment of inertia Theoretical 0.48441024 Experimental 0.472051706 0.450288593 0.461105951 0.573360905 0.585824908 0.55491619 0.579576154 0.537973187 0.548834963 0.521773549 0.526167412 0.539459539 % Error 2.551253737 7.043956605 4.810857982 11.76557061 14.19518593 8.170131796 7.011476394 0.66999025 1.335500582 2.529484486 1.708683767 0.774367463

Only Plate Plate with horizontal cylindrical mass placed on it at the centroid Plate with vertical cylindrical mass placed on it at the centroid Plate with irregular mass placed on it at the centroid

18.46666667

0.923333333

0.513003156

18.20666667

0.910333333

0.541601867

23.96666667

1.198333333

0.53531424

37

Linear relation for case (a) : By drawing the relation between log and log l, we obtained with the following linear graph, and it is intersection with the ordinate is equal to the constant C. and it slope is equal 2.

log l

0.45 0.4 0.35 0.3 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0

0.035

0.03

0.025

0.02

0.015

0.01

0.005

-0.005

-0.01

-0.015

-0.02

log

Figure (3): The relation between log L and log

The pervious graph indicates that the relation between log L and log is linear. And it is intercept with y-axis at value equal to = 0.388 which is the value of constant C that we had calculated in each case. And the linear graph has a slope equal to 2. And thats what we expected in the theoretical equation.

38

4.2 Discussion

When investigating the previous experimentally and theoretically results that were tabulated, it is obvious that the theoretical and experimental results of the mass-moment of inertia for the bifilar and trifilar suspension are somehow close and the error involved is not large.

In other words, the human errors involved in this experiment such as while recording the length of the cords and weighting the parts are acceptable.

In addition, as noticed from the tabulated data for the bifilar and trifilar suspensions, the relationship between the mass-moment of inertia of the body and the periodic time on log scale is linear.

But, it should be kept in mind that this linear relation involves some errors. In other words, this relation is very close to be perfectly linear due to the errors generated while performing this experiment.

39

4.3 Uncertainty Analysis

In this part of this chapter, it is important to evaluate the error involved in obtaining the mass-moment of inertia in order to ensure the accuracy related to it. These errors occur due to the human errors such as measuring the lengths of the cords and the time of oscillations by the stop watch.

This can be achieved by performing the uncertainty analysis as shown below for the first case of the bifilar suspension:

40

As noticed from the uncertainty analysis, the error involved is not large and is acceptable. In other words, and for an instance, the values of the error involved in calculating the viscosities of the given oils indicate that the human error due to the usage of the stop watch was somehow acceptable.

41

Chapter 5
Conclusion

The conclusion for this experiment is that the bifilar and trifilar suspension methods for determining the mass-moment of inertia can be considered as successful methods applied for that purpose.

Moreover, the errors involved in this experiment whether in the case of bifilar or trifilar suspensions are not large which can be considered as a good indicator of how successful this experiment was.

Finally, when this experiment was performed, some recommendations and notices should be taken in mind for the purpose of improving the obtained results such as:

Being careful while changing the length of the wires and make sure they are on the same level (exactly having the same length). Using an electronic scale for weighting parts to increase the accuracy. Using the stop watch properly and carefully while recording the time of oscillation.

42

References
1. Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals Laboratory Sheet. Lab A. Prepared by: Prof.Ahmed H. Elkholy

43