What can engineers do to change the natural frequency of a building bridge or other structure?

What can engineers do to change the natural frequency of a building, bridge or other structure? (Answer: Engineers can use different building materials and structural designs to adjust both the weight and stiffness of the building.)

How can you prevent natural frequency?

How to Avoid Resonance

1. Adding stiffness increases the natural frequency.
2. Adding mass decreases the natural frequency.
3. Increasing damping reduces the peak response but widens the response range.
4. Decreasing damping increases the peak response but narrows the response range.

How can structures reduce vibration?

For instance, machinery-induced vibrations can be minimised by using isolating mounts or motion-arresting pads. An inexpensive approach is to increase the floor loading within the building. Weight can be placed under a raised floor to minimise movement from foot traffic for instance, and dissipate vibration.

Can a system have multiple natural frequencies?

In general, a system with more than one natural frequency will not vibrate harmonically. i.e., the system vibrates harmonically, at the second natural frequency. The special initial displacements of a system that cause it to vibrate harmonically are called `mode shapes’ for the system.

What can structural engineers do to prevent resonance and shaking?

In addition to strengthening a building against earthquake shocks, engineers can actually reduce the force a building is subjected to. They install what are called base isolators, which isolate the base of the building from the earth’s movements. Most are one of two forms.

How do engineers prevent resonance?

In order to mitigate fully the resonance effect in a bridge, engineers incorporate dampeners into the bridge design to interrupt the resonant waves and prevent them from growing. Another way to halt resonance is to give it less room to run wild. Changing the frequency prevents the wave from building.

What factors affect natural frequency?

The natural frequency, as the name implies, is the frequency at which the system resonates. In the example of the mass and beam, the natural frequency is determined by two factors: the amount of mass, and the stiffness of the beam, which acts as a spring.

What is structural vibration in engineering?

Structural vibration occurs when dynamic forces generated by compressors, pumps, and engines cause the deck beams to vibrate. This vibration leads to piping failures, poor equipment reliability, and safety concerns. The vibration is due to the structure being mechanically resonant.

What is the effect of vibration on a structure?

In structures, a high level of vibration can cause cracks, loose bolts, heavy noise or even failure. In humans, vibrations can cause several health-related issues such as fatigue, headaches, stomach problems, among others.

What is natural frequency vibration?

Natural frequency is the rate at which an object vibrates when it is disturbed. Simple harmonic oscillators can be used to model the natural frequency of an object. Natural frequencies are different from forced frequencies, which occur by applying force to an object at a specific rate.