BIFILAR/ TRIFILAR SUSPENSION, MACHINES LAB

Bifilar/ Trifilar Suspension

Semester: 5 (ME)
Course: Machines Lab
Lab No: 08
Topic: Bifilar/ Trifilar Suspension

A. Theory

In a bifilar suspension, the pendulum body is suspended over two threads. The pendulum body oscillates
in a plane purely transnationally without rotation. This kind of pendulum can be considered as a
mathematical pendulum. In a trifler suspension with three threads, the pendulum body is set in a
torsional vibration. The torsional vibration can be used to determine the moment of inertia by
experiment. A beam, a cylinder or a circular ring are used as pendulum bodies. The length of the threads
can be adjusted using clamping devices. The moments of inertia of the pendulum body can be calculated
from the measured oscillation period. The oscillation period can be varied by changing the thread
length.

The experimental unit is designed to be fixed to a wall.

B. Equipment

Bifilar/ Trifilar Suspension Apparatus

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C. Procedure

• Place rectangular block, solid cylinder and hollow cylinder on the bifilar/ trifilar suspension
apparatus.
• Oscillate the pendulum and find out the experimental time period.
• Find out the theoretical and experimental moment of inertia as a function of time period of the
pendulum.

D. Calculations

Time period
T = 2 π ( L / g ) 0.5
Moment of Inertia of Solid cylinder
J = m r2 / 2
Moment of Inertia of Hollow cylinder
J = m ( r12+ r22) / 2
Moment of Inertia as a function of time period
J = m g R2 T2/ 4 π2 L

E. Observations

Bifilar suspension

Measurement i Time Ti20

1
2
3
4
5
Sum Ti20
Mean of Ti20
T*= Mean of Ti20 /20

Bifilar suspension as second pendulum

Measurement i Time Ti20

1
2

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 BIFILAR/ TRIFILAR SUSPENSION, MACHINES LAB

3
4
5
Sum Ti20
Mean of Ti20
T*= Mean of Ti20 /20

Torsional Oscillation of a cylinder

Measurement i Time Ti20

1
2
3
4
5
Sum Ti20
Mean of Ti20
T*= Mean of Ti20 /20

Determination of mass moment of inertia of a hollow cylinder

Measurement i Time Ti20

1
2
3
4
5
Sum Ti20
Mean of Ti20
T*= Mean of Ti20 /20

F. Lab Discussion

1. Calculate the theoretical time period of rectangular block, solid cylinder and hollow
cylinder of the bifilar/ trifilar suspension apparatus.
2. Calculate moment of inertia of solid cylinder and hollow cylinder of the bifilar/ trifilar
suspension.

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BIFILAR/ TRIFILAR SUSPENSION, MACHINES LAB

3. Calculate time period of solid cylinder and hollow cylinder as a function of its moment of
inertia.
4. Determine moment of inertia of solid cylinder and hollow cylinder as a function of its
experimental time period.
5. Compare experimental and theoretical values for all cases
6. Comment on the change of experimental and theoretical values for all case (if any)

G. Instructions

• NO LATE SUBMISSION ACCEPTED.

• Marks Scheme: 80% Report – 20% Attendance

H. Calculations

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