5/21/2014 How to identify, correct a resonance condition

Search:

Home | Buyers Guide | Glossary | Events | Bookstore | Newsletters | Browse Topics

MAINTENANCE EXCELLENCE LEAN MANUFACTURING ENERGY MANAGEMENT WORKPLACE SAFETY TALENT MANAGEMENT OEE RCM

How to identify, correct a resonance

condition
Alain Pe lle grino, Laure ntide C ontrols Ltd.
0 Tw eet 2
Tags: vibration analysis, condition m onitoring, pre dictive
m ainte nance , m ainte nance and re liability

Many experts working in the field of vibration analysis will agree that resonance is a very
common cause of excessive machine vibration.

Resonance is the result of an external force vibrating at the same frequency as the natural
frequency of a system. Natural frequency is a characteristic of every machine, structure and
even animals. Often, resonance can be confused with the natural frequency or critical
frequency. If equipment is operating in a state of resonance, the vibration levels will be
amplified significantly, which can cause equipment failure and plant downtime. It is, therefore,
important that the running speed of equipment be out of the resonance range.

How to identify a resonance frequency

Many techniques can be used to identify and/or confirm a high vibration level caused by a
resonance frequency. It is very important to confirm a resonance phenomenon by at least two
different types of tests before trying to correct it. We will look at a few techniques commonly
used in the industry.

Techniques used to confirm a resonance

Impact test:One of the most commonly used methods for measuring a system’s natural
frequency is to strike it with a mass and measure the response. This method is effective
because the impact inputs a small amount of force in the equipment over a large frequency
range. When performing this technique, it is important to try impacting different locations on
the structure since all of a structure’s resonant frequencies will always be measurable by
impacting at one location and measuring at the same location. Both drive point and transfer
point measurements should be taken when attempting to identify machine resonances.
Related Articles
This type of test must be performed with the equipment off. This way you can easily identify
Case study: Pump vibration at an electrical
the natural frequencies of the equipment (see Figure 1). utility

Fixes to common electric vibration

equipment issues

Identifying Mechanical Faults with Motor

Current Signature Analysis

Using Dynamic Electric Motor Monitoring to

Identify Mechanical Issues

Figure 1. Impact Test, Equipment Off

Impact test using an instrumented hammer:This test is basically the same as a regular
impact test, except that an instrumented hammer is used to excite the system. This hammer,
equipped with an accelerometer at one end, is used in tandem with the sensor used to
measure the vibration. A two-channel vibration analyzer is needed, in which one channel is
connected to the instrumented hammer and the other to the vibration sensor.
White Papers
Using this technique, you can effectively measure the force induced to the system by the

http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/22455/identify-resonance-condition-vibration 1/4
5/21/2014 How to identify, correct a resonance condition
instrumented hammer and the response at different frequencies. When the phase shifts by 90
Using Pressure to Reduce Bubble
degrees, the frequency at which it occurs is a natural frequency (Figure 2). The advantage in Contamination from Particle Count Results
using this method is that it allows you to monitor phase shifts and coherence. With this
information, you can create operating deflection shapes to visualize the vibrating body. LASERNET FINES® Q200 – A Solution to Oil
Analysis

Soft Foot: Causes, Characteristics and

Solutions

Continuing Evolution of Food Grade

Lubricants

Buyers Guide
Lubricants

Oil Filtration

Lubricant Storage and Handling

Figure 2. Impact Test with Force Hammer

Coast down peak hold:Another method used is to monitor the vibration level using a peak
hold function, while shutting down the equipment, as performed normally. The vibration level
should drop at a steady rate. If the vibration levels start rising at any time while the
equipment is being shut down, the speed at which the amplitudes increase is a possible
natural frequency (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Coast Down Peak Hold

Coast down peak phase:Like the coast down peak hold, this test is to be conducted while
the equipment is being shut down. By installing a photo tack and a piece of reflective tape on
the rotating shaft of the equipment, you can monitor the vibration and its phase. This will
allow you to see the amplitude and phase shift at all running speeds of the equipment. If
there is no resonance excited by the turning speed, the vibration levels should drop at a
steady rate. If the vibration peaks at a certain speed and the phase shifts by 180 degrees,
this indicates a natural frequency of the equipment or structure. The actual natural frequency
is the frequency situated in the middle of the phase shift (90 degrees) (Figure 4).

http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/22455/identify-resonance-condition-vibration 2/4
5/21/2014 How to identify, correct a resonance condition

Figure 4. Coast Down Peak Phase

Formula for natural frequency

The natural frequency is the frequency of free vibration of a system, in which a system
vibrates to dissipate its energy. The natural frequency (ωn) of an equipment, expressed in
radian per second, is a function of its stiffness (k) and its mass (m), as shown by the
following equation:

If any of these two parameters are altered, the natural frequency will change.

How do you modify a natural frequency?

If we want to modify the natural frequency of a body, we have to either change the stiffness
or the mass. Increasing the mass or lowering the stiffness will lower the natural frequency
while reducing mass or increasing stiffness will increase natural frequency.

How can we operate critical equipment if we can’t change the natural frequency?

If we cannot change the stiffness or the mass of the equipment, two possible choices are
offered to us. One easy solution is to change the operating speed of the equipment by 20 to
30 percent, but this is not usually an option. Another solution is to install a dynamic absorber
on the equipment to significantly reduce the vibration levels of the equipment. The dynamic
absorber is a spring-mass system that is installed in series with the resonant system to create
an out-of-phase exciting force to effectively counteract the initial exciting force.

Conclusion

Resonance is probably one of the five common causes of excessive machine vibration.
Identifying a resonance frequency effectively can be challenging. We need to positively
identify the natural frequency by performing at least two different tests such as impact test,
coast down peak hold, coast down peak phase or impact test using a force hammer.

Once the resonance is confirmed, either change the mass or the stiffness of the equipment to
change its natural frequency. If it cannot be accomplished try to change the operating speed
of the equipment. If that fails, consider installing a dynamic absorber to counteract the initial
exciting force.

Reference

Fox, Randy. “Dynamic absorbers for solving resonance problems”.

About the author:

Alain Pellegrino is a predictive maintenance technician for Laurentide Controls Ltd. As the local
business partner for Emerson Process Management, Laurentide Controls is the largest supplier
of automation solutions in eastern Canada. For more information, visit www.laurentide.com.

About the Author

Alain Pellegrino
Alain Pellegrino is a predictive maintenance technician for Laurentide Controls Ltd. As the
local business partner for Emerson Process Management, Laurentide Controls is the
largest supplier of ... Read More

Related Articles
Case study: Pump vibration at an electrical utility

Fixes to common electric vibration equipment issues

Identifying Mechanical Faults with Motor Current Signature Analysis

http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/22455/identify-resonance-condition-vibration 3/4
5/21/2014 How to identify, correct a resonance condition

Using Dynamic Electric Motor Monitoring to Identify Mechanical Issues

Get a FREE copy of 6 Essentials for

Effective Procedure-based
Email:
Maintenance when you sign up for our free
Reliable Plant weekly email updates.

Begin a Free Subscription Today

Lubrication Program Transformation Machinery Lubrication magazine delivers
Services unbiased advice for improving lubrication
Discover how Noria can tranform your lubrication practices and keeping critical equipment
program to best practices quickly and efficiently. running at peak performance.
C lick Here C lick Here

Services Subscribe | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | RSS | Advertise

Quick Links Home | Buyers Guide | Glossary | Events | Bookstore | Newsletters | Browse Topics

© NORIA CORPORATION MACHINERY LUBRICATION | RELIABLE PLANT

http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/22455/identify-resonance-condition-vibration 4/4