Items Which Can Compromise Vibration Isolation By: Frank Andrews, P.E. Senior Engineer Fabreeka International, Inc.

There are several phenomena which can make a properly designed and manufactured isolator appear to provide significantly less than the theoretical isolation efficiency (transmissibility). The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of those items which can compromise the isolation efficiency of an isolation system. SUPPORT STRUCTURE STIFFNESS For an isolator to provide vibration isolation, it must be able to deflect. REMEMBER: NO PROTECTION WITHOUT DEFLECTION. In general, the more the mount deflects, the more vibration isolation that will be provided. However, if the support structure below the mount or the equipment support above the mount, is too soft, the structure will take some of the deflection which is intended for the mount. This reduces the effectiveness of the mount, and may also result in fatigue problems in the structure. The support structure can be considered as a spring, since it has some stiffness which can be calculated or tested. The structure can then be considered as a spring in series with the isolator. The combined effect (effective stiffness, or Keffective) can be estimated by combining the stiffness with the following equation: Keffective = (Ksupport) x (Kmount) (Ksupport) + Kmount)

From this equation, you can see that if the structure has a stiffness equal to the isolator, the effective stiffness is equal to one-half of the isolator stiffness. In this case, the spring would only deflect one-half its intended value. To ensure that an isolator will perform as intended, a good rule of thumb is that the structure should have a stiffness of at least ten times as much as the isolator. From the preceding equation, this will ensure that the isolator will contribute at least 90 percent of the system flexibility. Since natural frequency varies as the square root of stiffness, this means that the first natural frequency of the structure should be approximately three times greater than that of the isolation system.

Fabreeka International, Inc.

Figure A shows a schematic and graph which illustrates the effect of a flexible support structure. In this figure, the lower dashed line frequency reflects the effective stiffness previously discussed. The upper dashed line frequency reflects the general compromise in performance of the isolation system. When we quote isolation efficiencies, we are assuming that the structure has sufficient mass and rigidity to permit the isolator to perform as intended. When we are aware of potential deviations from this criteria, we should be sure to alert the customer to potential problems of such deviations.

STRUCTURAL RESONANCES Every body has some mass and some stiffness. It follows that every body has a frequency at which it will resonate, or vibrate. In actuality, every structure has numerous frequencies at which it will vibrate. The frequencies at which the body vibrates are frequently referred to as structural resonances. Structural resonances are a function of the material (e.g. steel, aluminum, wood), dimensions, shape and end conditions (or method of support).

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Equipment which is mounted above vibration isolators is composed of numerous plates and other structural elements, each of which will have its own unique structural resonances. These resonances can be excited whether or not vibration isolators are installed. A structural resonance is seen on a transmissibility plot as a sharp peak extending above the transmissibility curve which would be based on the following theoretical transmissibility equation.

Any structural resonance would appear this way if it is in the frequency range being measured. Figure B shows a modified transmissibility curve with possible structural resonances superimposed to demonstrate the effect being discussed.

When structural resonances are still objectionable, even with a properly functioning isolation system, an effective solution could be to damp the offending structure. Additional damping reduces the amplification at resonance. Stiffening the structure may help, but most of the time it seems that this action simply shifts the problem frequency to a higher frequency.

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ROCKING MODES When a mass vibrates in the vertical direction on a proper isolation system, a transmissibility curve is obtained which is similar to the theoretical transmissibility curve (excluding the compromising effects which are under discussion). However, when excitation is in the horizontal direction, a new phenomenon is introduced rocking modes. For horizontal excitation, there are two possible vibration modes generated: a longitudinal mode and a pitch mode. These modes are said to be coupled when a vibrating force at the frequency of one mode causes vibrations to occur at the frequency in the other mode. Considering the entire system, there are six modes of vibration three in translation and three in rotation. A coupled isolation system spreads the frequencies of the two modes, resulting in decreased isolation efficiency at higher frequencies. Figure C shows the effect of rocking modes on vibration isolation. The family of curves represents the effect of damping. As indicated, damping affects transmissibility in the rocking modes.

To improve isolation (eliminate rocking modes), the system must be decoupled. This means that the elastic center of the isolators coincides with the center of gravity of the isolated mass. When this happens, the six modes of vibration are independent, and there is no loss in isolation efficiency due to rocking modes. This can be accomplished by locating the isolators on the same horizontal plane as the center of gravity of the isolated mass. A second method of decoupling is to focalize the isolation system to project the elastic center to the center of gravity.
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STANDING WAVES Every material has frequencies at which it will behave almost as if it is transparent (a window) to vibrations. This means that the material will transmit vibrations at certain frequencies even if the transmissibility equation indicates that little vibration would be transmitted. In elastomers, these are sometimes referred to as standing waves. In metal components, such as springs, they may also be referred to as standing waves, but they are also referred to as surge frequencies. In general, the frequencies (and harmonics) at which these occur are a function of the material (density and speed of sound) and dimensions (thickness of rubber or length of coil spring). Damping is also significant. In elastomers, damping is sufficiently high that the effects of standing waves are seldom significant. In springs, where damping is negligible, high frequency vibrations can pass through the spring into the support structure. To compensate for this effect, springs are generally combined with an elastomer pad, which breaks the transmission of high frequency vibration (or noise).