How to Perform a Hammer Test To Determine Natural Frequencies

Suri Ganeriwala, Ph.D. SpectraQuest Inc. Richmond, Virginia, USA suri@spectraquest.com Reliability 2.0 2013 Las Vegas

Motivation/Highlights
Structural resonances are natural properties of structures Learn & use it Resonances cause large amplitude vibration leading to premature/fatigue failure Needs to determined and machine operation around natural frequencies must be avoided It is important to know the natural frequencies to optimize the analysis Hammer (or bump) test is a simplest method to determine them
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Objective of This Workshop

This workshop will provide you with: 1. Procedure to perform a simple minded hammer or bump test 2. Compare results of instrument hammer with a law cost hammer (or how to create an inexpensive instrumented hammer) 3. Steps to improve results or what to avoid a. Effect of double hammer b. Determiner to the block size to measure correct natural frequency c. Reduce noise by averaging
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Also Learn from This Workshop

1. Measurement and modeling of belt natural frequencies as a function of tension 2. Measurement of rotor system natural frequencies

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Basics of a Hammer Test

Typically Hammer Tests are performed with an Instrumented Hammer Instrumented Hammer contains a Force Transducer with different stiffness tips It involves measurement of structural response to the excitation force of the hammer Often a two or multi-channel analyzer is used It is used to determine three structural properties: Natural Frequencies Mode Shapes Damping
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Creating an Inexpensive Hammer

1. Obtain a regular shop hammer from a hardware store 2. Mount an regular accelerometer on the flat part of the hammer (best is to stud mount, or magnetically 3. If really interested in determining the dynamic properties, determine force by multiplying accelerometer response with hammer mass

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Typical Test Procedure for a Hammer Test

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Belt Natural Frequency Experimental setup:

n T fn = , n = 1,2,3... 2L
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Belt Natural Frequency

Hammer Test Panel, User can reject or accept the current data block

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Belt Natural Frequency

Hammer Test Result Reliability 2.0, 2013 Las Vegas

Belt Natural Frequency

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Belt Natural Frequency

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Modeling Belt Dynamic Response

The belt can be modeled as either a string or a beam. The string theory assumes the string cross-section moment of inertia is zero (of infinitely flexible) where as the beam theory assumes beam cross section has finite moment of inertia. String appears to be in between. Natural frequency of a string is given by: fn= (n/2l) * (T/p)1/2 where n=1,2,3, Where n is the normal modes, and p is the density per unit length, T is the tension, and l is the length.

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Belt Drive - Belt natural frequency

First Mode (Hz) Tension (lb) Left Belt 16.22 83.88 167.8 318.7 20 30 43.5 58.75 Right Belt

Second Mode (Hz)

Third Mode (Hz) Ratio (left belt)

Left Belt 41.25 61.25 83.75 115

Right Belt 41.25 61.25 81.25 107.5

Left Belt

Right Belt 72.5 97.5 121.25 157.5 1:2.1:3.6 1:2.0:3.3 1:1.9:3.0 1:2.0:2.9

18.75 28.75 41.25 55

72.5 97.5 131.25 168.75

Frequency ratio is very close to theory, especially for high tension conditions.
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Belt Natural Frequency - Conclusion

The results clearly indicate that the belt natural frequencies are a strong function of the tension. There are several ways the experimental data agrees with string theory: 1)Fundamental modes vary linearly with the mode number. 2) The natural frequency has a slight less than linear dependence on belt tension (excluding the extreme high-tension data points. 3) There is rough agreement between the theoretical predictions and the experimental results. This, together with the spectrum graph showing the expected relationship of the amplitude with transducer position for the first three fundamental frequencies supports the conclusion the data and calculations are valid, however, further investigation is needed to explain the discrepancy with theory for a vibrating string.

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