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pendulum response

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I want to measure the frequency response of a physical pendulum to a lateral harmonic force that acts on the suspended mass. The problem now is that I don't know how to include gravity. If I define it as vertical load on the mass, then it is automatically taken as oscillating force. So is there a way to simulate a static gravity in a frequency response problem?

10 Replies Last Post 26 avr. 2010, 21:48 UTC−4
Ivar KJELBERG COMSOL Multiphysics(r) fan, retired, former "Senior Expert" at CSEM SA (CH)

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Posted: 1 decade ago 22 avr. 2010, 02:48 UTC−4
Hi

there are a few discussion on the forum on applying acceleration fileds = gravity load (try the search). But basically you apply a volumic force F[N/m^3]=rho_smsld[kg/m^3]*G (for _smsld application mode, pls correct if you use another) and G is defined as a "constant", I use G = 1[lbf/lb] a shortuct to write out 9.8065...[m/s^2]

Have fun Comsoling
Ivar
Hi there are a few discussion on the forum on applying acceleration fileds = gravity load (try the search). But basically you apply a volumic force F[N/m^3]=rho_smsld[kg/m^3]*G (for _smsld application mode, pls correct if you use another) and G is defined as a "constant", I use G = 1[lbf/lb] a shortuct to write out 9.8065...[m/s^2] Have fun Comsoling Ivar

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Posted: 1 decade ago 22 avr. 2010, 02:55 UTC−4
Thank you, Ivar.

I know how to apply a load. I also see that this works fine in time-domain settings. But how about evaluating the frequency response? I thought that any load is then understood as harmonic, as amplitude of a harmonic function. I don't see the pendulum resonsance in the response. I have tried the load already.
Thank you, Ivar. I know how to apply a load. I also see that this works fine in time-domain settings. But how about evaluating the frequency response? I thought that any load is then understood as harmonic, as amplitude of a harmonic function. I don't see the pendulum resonsance in the response. I have tried the load already.

Ivar KJELBERG COMSOL Multiphysics(r) fan, retired, former "Senior Expert" at CSEM SA (CH)

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Posted: 1 decade ago 22 avr. 2010, 07:51 UTC−4
Hi

you are correct: in harmonic, the loads are the harmonic amplitude at the frequency you are "parametrically" scanning, pls check that the application mode AND the solver are set to parametric and that you have defined the correct frequency variable name as parameter name

normally it should work, perhaps check again w.r.t. a doc example, as its easy to miss a simple step

Have fun Comsoling
Ivar
Hi you are correct: in harmonic, the loads are the harmonic amplitude at the frequency you are "parametrically" scanning, pls check that the application mode AND the solver are set to parametric and that you have defined the correct frequency variable name as parameter name normally it should work, perhaps check again w.r.t. a doc example, as its easy to miss a simple step Have fun Comsoling Ivar

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Posted: 1 decade ago 22 avr. 2010, 09:22 UTC−4
Ok, but now back to my problem. I need a harmonic lateral load, and a static gravity load to simulate the frequency response of a pendulum. Is that possible? So what is the method to define static loads in frequency-response problems?
Ok, but now back to my problem. I need a harmonic lateral load, and a static gravity load to simulate the frequency response of a pendulum. Is that possible? So what is the method to define static loads in frequency-response problems?

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Posted: 1 decade ago 23 avr. 2010, 18:37 UTC−4
I have checked my code. I see all kinds of resonances (the pendulum has torsion, the suspended mass tilts, etc), but no sign of the pendulum resonance. So gravity is not active if you define it as load, but this is clear somehow since loads are harmonic in frequency-response problems, and gravity acts statically on the system. So I am still looking for a way to study the frequency-response of a pendulum. Since I cannot define gravity as load, is there a trick, another type of constraint to add constant acceleration?
I have checked my code. I see all kinds of resonances (the pendulum has torsion, the suspended mass tilts, etc), but no sign of the pendulum resonance. So gravity is not active if you define it as load, but this is clear somehow since loads are harmonic in frequency-response problems, and gravity acts statically on the system. So I am still looking for a way to study the frequency-response of a pendulum. Since I cannot define gravity as load, is there a trick, another type of constraint to add constant acceleration?

Ivar KJELBERG COMSOL Multiphysics(r) fan, retired, former "Senior Expert" at CSEM SA (CH)

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Posted: 1 decade ago 24 avr. 2010, 02:26 UTC−4
Hi

you are right that in "harmonic" mode all predefined gui forces are set to harmonic (phase amplitude only is defined), a static acceleration field must be applied by hand (probably easiest as a weak form), I need to find back my exercice from a few years ago, indeed a long time since I last applied a seismic load response, because for that, just as for space "launch loads", you cannot really "turn off" gravity, this is neither not "physical" something that COMSOL people had forgotten, but we are all so used to gravity, that normaly we do not ask ourselves why we sit on a chair, and are not flaoting around, as in the ISS ;)

Have fun Comsoling
Ivar

Hi you are right that in "harmonic" mode all predefined gui forces are set to harmonic (phase amplitude only is defined), a static acceleration field must be applied by hand (probably easiest as a weak form), I need to find back my exercice from a few years ago, indeed a long time since I last applied a seismic load response, because for that, just as for space "launch loads", you cannot really "turn off" gravity, this is neither not "physical" something that COMSOL people had forgotten, but we are all so used to gravity, that normaly we do not ask ourselves why we sit on a chair, and are not flaoting around, as in the ISS ;) Have fun Comsoling Ivar

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Posted: 1 decade ago 24 avr. 2010, 16:52 UTC−4
Thank you. Ok, so you say that there should be a way to add gravity "by hand". That would be great. I am not yet familiar with the "weak form", but I will see what I can find.
Thank you. Ok, so you say that there should be a way to add gravity "by hand". That would be great. I am not yet familiar with the "weak form", but I will see what I can find.

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Posted: 1 decade ago 25 avr. 2010, 12:16 UTC−4
Ok, I got my pendulum resonance by adding the weak term -rho_smsld*g/L*u*u_test to the subdomain (g is surface acceleration, and L is length of pendulum). But this is just the main effect of gravity, i.e. the restoring force of the pendulum mode for small displacements. Now there is one more effect that I need to add by hand. I need a static tension on the suspenion of the pendulum since the tension alters the speed of violin modes of the suspension string. Any idea how to add static stress to get this right as well?
Ok, I got my pendulum resonance by adding the weak term -rho_smsld*g/L*u*u_test to the subdomain (g is surface acceleration, and L is length of pendulum). But this is just the main effect of gravity, i.e. the restoring force of the pendulum mode for small displacements. Now there is one more effect that I need to add by hand. I need a static tension on the suspenion of the pendulum since the tension alters the speed of violin modes of the suspension string. Any idea how to add static stress to get this right as well?

Ivar KJELBERG COMSOL Multiphysics(r) fan, retired, former "Senior Expert" at CSEM SA (CH)

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Posted: 1 decade ago 26 avr. 2010, 16:04 UTC−4
Hi

just to say your case is not that trivial, it made me rediscover a few new effects, indeed in 2D I can get logical results for a pendulum (but I must define the two forces Fx-rho*G*sin(th) and Fy=-rho*G*cos(th) with th=0.5*(uy-vx) for 2D if not already defined by your application mode, you can extrapolate to 3D) for all cases from static to quasi-static transient, but except for frequency response, and I still do not understand why. I have myself two models that are (have been for some time) stuck on this, I'm heating them up again, and pushing support, together we should get there, no ?

I have attached my pendule case as an Euler beam with an extra mass at its end, but Frequency response is failing

Have fun Comsoling
Ivar
Hi just to say your case is not that trivial, it made me rediscover a few new effects, indeed in 2D I can get logical results for a pendulum (but I must define the two forces Fx-rho*G*sin(th) and Fy=-rho*G*cos(th) with th=0.5*(uy-vx) for 2D if not already defined by your application mode, you can extrapolate to 3D) for all cases from static to quasi-static transient, but except for frequency response, and I still do not understand why. I have myself two models that are (have been for some time) stuck on this, I'm heating them up again, and pushing support, together we should get there, no ? I have attached my pendule case as an Euler beam with an extra mass at its end, but Frequency response is failing Have fun Comsoling Ivar


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Posted: 1 decade ago 26 avr. 2010, 21:48 UTC−4
Thanks Ivar for your help with this problem. It seems to me that this shouldn't be a very exoctic problem. I can think of many phyical systems where frequency response depends on a static force like gravity. I will keep working on this. Maybe the right way to go is to start a mathematical treatment to find out in general how static forces can change frequency response. Maybe there is a systematic way to incorporate static forces. My current method to add specific effects of gravity by hand (pendulum restoring force, string tension,...) is not very elegant, and in the end I am not sure if I took all relevant effects into account.
Thanks Ivar for your help with this problem. It seems to me that this shouldn't be a very exoctic problem. I can think of many phyical systems where frequency response depends on a static force like gravity. I will keep working on this. Maybe the right way to go is to start a mathematical treatment to find out in general how static forces can change frequency response. Maybe there is a systematic way to incorporate static forces. My current method to add specific effects of gravity by hand (pendulum restoring force, string tension,...) is not very elegant, and in the end I am not sure if I took all relevant effects into account.

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