Effect Analysis of System Parameters on Natural Frequency of

Cantilever Beam by using the Concept of

Statistical Design of Experiments


Nitesh P. Yelve
1
, A.J. Kothadia
2
, S.M. Khot
3



1
Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues Institute of
Technology, Navi Mumbai: niteshpy@yahoo.co.in
2
Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Veermata Jijabai
Technological Institute, Mumbai: ajkothadia@vjti.org.in
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues
Institute of Technology, Navi Mumbai: smkhot66@yahoo.co.in

Nitesh P. Yelve
Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues Institute of Technology,
Vashi, Navi Mumbai 400 703
Email: niteshpy@yahoo.co.in
ABSTRACT

Structures are being used in an increasing set of applications including airplanes, bridges,
ships and space vehicles. In order to enhance the performance of structures, dynamic
analysis plays an important role at design stage, which helps in adjusting natural frequencies
to avoid resonance. The system parameters plays critical role in controlling natural
frequencies. A cantilever beam is considered for the present analysis. Taguchis concept of
Orthogonal Arrays as a part of Statistical Design of Experiments (DOE) has been used to
plan set of experiments for studying natural frequencies of a cantilever beam under
simultaneous variation of parameters like material, length and thickness. The time and
money involved in experimentation are saved by conducting FEM analysis in ANSYS

to
find out natural frequencies of cantilever beam for various combinations of said parameters.
To check the validity of the results obtained from ANSYS, natural frequencies of beam for
one combination of parameters are then found by theoretical analysis and also by physical
experimentation. Both the results are in close agreement with ANSYS results. The results
obtained are analyzed by using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical method to
identify the significant parameters affecting the natural frequency of cantilever beam. This
study can be further extended for different types of structures to find out significant
parameters affecting their natural frequencies to sort out resonance problems in practical
applications.

Key words: Structures, Cantilever Beam, ANSYS, Mode Shapes, ANOVA

Effect Analysis of System Parameters on Natural Frequency of
Cantilever Beam by using the Concept of
Statistical Design of Experiments


1. Introduction

The structures designed to support the high speed machinery are subjected to vibration. If
the frequency of excitation coincides with one of the natural frequencies of the system, a
condition of resonance is reached, and dangerously large oscillations may occur which may
result in the mechanical failure of the system. Thus keeping in view all these devastating
effects, the study of vibration is essential for a mechanical engineer to minimize the
vibration effects over mechanical components by designing them properly. Natural
frequency of any system is decided by some of the system parameters which if controlled,
natural frequency can also be controlled so as to keep natural frequency far away from the
operating range. These system parameters have simultaneous effect on natural frequency of
the system. Controlling all the parameters is difficult; hence parameters having significant
effect on natural frequency are of interest to find out. Statistical DOE techniques such as
Orthogonal Arrays and ANOVA have proved to be cost effective in such situations
[3,4]

where critical factors among many factors affecting system performance are to be found out.

Here, for analysis a cantilever beam is considered. From governing equation of natural
frequency for cantilever beam it is noted that material, length and thickness togetherly
decide the natural frequency of cantilever beam. The purpose here is to find out significant
factor affecting the natural frequency of cantilever beam. The required experiments are
planned by using Taguchis concept of Orthogonal Array as a part of Statistical Design of
Experiments. The natural frequencies for the designed set of combinations of parameters are
found out by FEM analysis in ANSYS

. To check the validity of results, natural frequencies

for a single set of combination of parameters are also found by theoretical and experimental
analysis. Experimental set up is made from available instruments, hence incurred very less
cost. FEM analysis in ANSYS

saved time and money to procure cantilever beams of

different materials and dimensions for performing experiments. The natural frequencies
obtained from ANSYS

are analyzed by using ANOVA statistical method to identify the

significant parameters affecting the natural frequency of cantilever beam.

2. Statistical Design of Experiments

Statistical Design of Experiments refers to the process of planning the experiment so that
appropriate data that can be analyzed by statistical methods will be collected, resulting in
valid and objective conclusions
[1]
. The statistical approach to experimental design is
necessary if we wish to draw meaningful conclusions from the data. Thus, there are two
aspects to any experimental problem: the design of the experiment and the statistical
analysis of the data.

When many factors control the performance of any system then it is essential to find out
significant factors which need special attention either to control or optimize the system
performance. Statistical DOE is used in such situations. By making use of this Statistical
DOE concept an attempt is made here to investigate significant factors affecting the natural
frequency of a cantilever beam, out of material, length and thickness. Taguchis concept of
orthogonal array (OA) is used to plan the set of experiments and Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA) technique is used to find out the significant factors.

2.1 Orthogonal Array for Present Case Study

Taguchis method of Orthogonal Array is used here to design the experiments for finding
out the natural frequencies of cantilever beams under the simultaneous variation of three
different system parameters namely material, length and thickness at three levels as shown
in the Table 2.1. Degrees of freedom (DOF) of factors and their interactions are (M(2) +
L(2) + T(2) + MXL(4) + MXT(4) + LXT(4)=) 18. Since there are 18 degrees of freedom, this
experiment can be tried in OA L
27
. The remaining (Total DOF (26) (18) =)8 degrees of
freedom will be used for error. The standard linear graph
[2]
for L
27
matches the
requirement, which is shown Fig. 2.1. The allocation of main effects and interactions to
various columns is also shown. The design of experiments based on the OA L
27
and linear
graph is shown in the Table 3.1 for the present case.

Table 2.1 Factors and Their Levels for
Experiment
Levels Sr.
No.
Control
Factors 1 2 3
1. Material
(M)
Steel Alumi-
nium
Copper
2. Length
(L)
500
mm
625
mm
781.25
mm
3. Thickness
(T)
1
mm
1.25
mm
1.56
mm

Fig. 2.1 Allocation of Main Effects and
Interactions

3. FEM Analysis by ANSYS

The natural frequencies of cantilever beams are found by conducting Modal analysis in
ANSYS

. The element type selected for the analysis is SOLID 45. The meshing of
cantilever beams is done by mapped meshing method. The FEM model of cantilever beam is
shown in Fig. 3.1 and resulting first three mode shapes after modal analysis are shown in
Fig.3.2 to Fig.3.4 for the following combination of parameters.

Length = 0.5 m Width = 28.5 mm Thickness = 1 mm Material = Steel




Fig. 3.2 First Mode

Fig. 3.3 Second Mode

Fig. 3.4 Third Mode

Fig. 3.1 FEM Model of Cantilever Beam
Similar modal analysis is done for all the combinations of the system parameters, as shown
in the Table 3.1.in random sequence. For the present analysis only first natural frequencies
(F) are noted.
Table 3.1 ANSYS

Results

M L T MXL LXT MXT F
(mm) (mm) (Hz)
Experiment
No.
(1) (2) (5) (3,4) (8,11) (6,7)
1 Steel 500 1.00 3.3614
2 Steel 500 1.25 4.1997
3 Steel 500 1.56 5.2477
4 Steel 625 1.00 2.1489
5 Steel 625 1.25 2.6851
6 Steel 625 1.56 3.3553
7 Steel 781.25 1.00 1.3741
8 Steel 781.25 1.25 1.7171
9 Steel 781.25 1.56 2.4157
10 Al 500 1.00 3.328
11 Al 500 1.25 4.1576
12 Al 500 1.56 5.9147
13 Al 625 1.00 2.1271
14 Al 625 1.25 2.6576
15 Al 625 1.56 3.3208
16 Al 781.25 1.00 1.3622
17 Al 781.25 1.25 1.7031
18 Al 781.25 1.56 2.1261
19 Cu 500 1.00 2.6006
20 Cu 500 1.25 3.2487
21 Cu 500 1.56 4.0588
22 Cu 625 1.00 1.6619
23 Cu 625 1.25 2.0763
24 Cu 625 1.56 2.5943
25 Cu 781.25 1.00 1.0636
26 Cu 781.25 1.25 1.3294
27 Cu 781.25 1.56 1.6603

4. Theoretical Analysis

In this section theoretical analysis of
cantilever beam is done for its natural
frequency. Fig. 4.1 shows cantilever beam
model having thickness T. As the cross-
sectional dimensions of beam are small
compared to its length, it is Euler-
Bernoulli beam. To derive the differential
equation for transverse vibration of thin
uniform beam consider an element of
beam of length dx with the forces and
moments acting on it as shown in the Fig.
4.1. S and M are shear force and bending
moment respectively. It is assumed that
there are no axial forces acting on the
beam and effects of shear deflection are

Fig. 4.1 Forces and Moments on an Element of
Length dx
neglected
[6]
. The deformation of beam is assumed due to moment and shear force. Taking
moments about A and resolving forces in the Y-direction; the resulting equations are,
( )
2
2
t
y
Adx dx
x
S
S S

= |

\
|

+ (Force Equation) (4.1)

where, dm is mass of the element, is density of material, A is cross-sectional area of beam

0 = |

\
|

+ + |

\
|

+ dx dx
x
S
S dx
x
M
M M (Moment Equation) (4.2)

In the resulting equations, substituting bending moment in form of curvature and
simplifying the results to get the basic equation,

0
2
2
4
4
=

\
|
+

t
y
EI
A
x
y

(4.3)

The solution of the equation (4.3) for cantilever beam, assuming the form of solution as
y = y(x) sin(t+) where, y(x) is the shape of the beam for the principal mode of vibrations,
is obtained and its simplification for first three modes after considering boundary conditions
gives,
A
EI
L

2
1
516 . 3
=
A
EI
L

2
2
03 . 22
=
A
EI
L

2
3
7 . 66
=

5. Experimental Analysis

The experimental set up consists of fixture for holding beam on vibration exciter, table, and
power oscillator. Total height of exciter is 318.5 mm. Table is selected of suitable length,
width and height (900 x 600 x 600 mm). Ribbed Neoprene mounts are used with leveling
screws as isolators. Vibration of the table top is minimized by taking sandwich plate of steel
and plywood to support the exciter. Power oscillator is the control unit for the exciter and it
is provided with protecting circuit for over travel, over current and over temperature. The
cantilever beam is excited by varying the frequency through power oscillator till the beam
attains mode shapes and clearly seen by naked eyes. The related frequency is the natural
frequency corresponding to that particular mode shape.


Fig. 5.1 Experimental Setup

6. Analysis of Variance

The results obtained from the Modal analysis in ANSYS

i.e. natural frequencies are

analyzed by using the statistical tool Analysis of variance (ANOVA), for getting the relative
importance/effect of the individual factors and their interactions on the natural frequency of
cantilever beam for first mode shape. The analysis by using ANOVA
[1]
is performed
manually.

An equation for total variation may be written as,
e LXT MXT MXL T L M T
SS SS SS SS SS SS SS SS + + + + + + = (6.1)
where,
T
SS is total sum of squares,
T L M
SS SS SS , , are sum of squares of respective factors,
LXT MXT MXL
SS SS SS , , are sum of squares of respective interactions and
e
SS is sum of
squares of the error

If T is the sum of all natural frequencies, total sum of squares is given as,
N
T
f SS
N
i
i T
2
1
2

=

=
(6.2)

Sum of squares of the material factor is give as,
N
T
n
M
SS
M
i
K
i M
i
M
2
1
2

(
(

=

=
(6.3)
where, K
M
is number of levels of factor, M
i
is sum of observations (here natural frequencies)
under i
th
level
Similarly, sum of squares of length and thickness factors i.e. SS
L
and SS
T
can also be found
out.

Sum of squares of the interaction of material and length factors is given as,
( )
L M
C
i MXL
i
MXL
SS SS
N
T
n
MXL
SS
I

(
(

|
|

\
|
=

=
2
1 ) (
2
(6.4)
where, ( )
i
MXL is sum of observations (here natural frequencies) under i
th
condition of the
combinations of factors M and L, C is number of possible combinations of the
interacting factors M and L,
I
MXL
n
) (
is number of observations (here natural
frequencies) under i
th
condition

Similarly, sum of squares of the interactions of material and thickness factors and length and
thickness factors i.e.
MXT
SS and
LXT
SS can also be found out.

7. Results and Discussion

Results of the present analysis are discussed here.

7.1 Validity of Results Obtained from ANSYS

The natural frequencies of cantilever beam
obtained by modal analysis in ANSYS

are in close agreement with those obtained
by theoretical and experimental analysis
for the same combination of parameters, as
shown in the Table 7.1.
Length = 0.5 m Width = 28.5 mm
Thickness = 1 mm Material = Steel
Table 7.1 Comparison of Results

Natural Frequency (Hz) Mode
No. ANSYS

Theoretical Experimental
1 3.3580 3.26 3.3
2 21.046 20.4 24
3 58.972 57.23 57
7.2 ANOVA Results

The results generated after conducting the
manual ANOVA for natural frequencies
of cantilever beams obtained by FEM
analysis in ANSYS

, are given in the

Table 7.2. From Table 7.2, it can be seen
that length contributes 67.12% in total
variation of natural frequency of
cantilever beams for first mode shape,
which is highest among all factors; hence
length is the critical parameter affecting
the natural frequency of cantilever beams.
Table 7.2 Results of ANOVA

Source of
Variation
Degrees
of
Freedom
Sum of
Squares
Percentage
Contribution
M 2 2.94878 7.6282
L 2 25.9442 67.1148
T 2 7.64812 19.7849
MXL 4 0.5029 1.3010
MXT 4 0.2355 0.6091
LXT 4 1.1432 2.9573

8. Conclusion

The application of Statistical Design of Experiments is attempted to find out the significant
parameter influencing the natural frequency of cantilever beam based on Taguchis
Orthogonal Array and Analysis of Variance. According to the scheme obtained by
Taguchis method of Orthogonal Array, FEM analysis in ANSYS

software is conducted on
cantilever beam, by changing the parameters namely material, its length and thickness, at
three levels. Also the validity of results obtained from ANSYS

is checked by conducting
theoretical and experimental analysis for single set of combination of parameters. It is found
that the natural frequencies of cantilever beam obtained by modal analysis in ANSYS

are
in close agreement with that obtained by theoretical and experimental analysis. From the
results obtained by ANOVA, it is observed that length contributes higher percentage in total
variation of natural frequency of cantilever beam for first mode shape.

The statistical methods as a part of analysis are found to give a good insight on keeping
away the resonance of cantilever beams by adjusting the system parameters according to its
contribution in total variation of natural frequencies. Thus the parameter to be given
importance while designing cantilever beam structures for engineering applications are
identified by making use of Statistical Design of Experiments. This approach can be used
further to analyse different other types of structures.

9. References

[1] D.C. Montgomery , Design and Analysis of Experiments (Wiley India (P) Ltd., New
Delhi, 2006)
[2] Handbook on Statistical Quality Control, SP 28:1994, (Bureau of Indian Standards,
New Delhi,1994)
[3] M.S. Phadke, Quality Engineering using Robust Design (Prentice Hall, Englewood
Cliffs, New Jersey, 1989)
[4] T.P. Bagchi , Taguchi Method Explained - Practical Steps to Robust Design (Prentice
Hall of India, New Delhi, 1993)
[5] J.R. Phillip , Taguchi Techniques for Quality Engineering (Tata McGraw Hill, New
Delhi, 2005)
[6] V.P. Singh , Mechanical Vibration (Dhanpat Rai & Sons Publication, 2004)
[7] G.K. Grover, Mechanical Vibration (Nem Chand & Bros. Publication, 1996)
[8] S.G. Kelly, Mechanical Vibrations (Schaum,s Outlines Series, McGraw Hill, 1996)