A talk and demonstration by

Hugh Hunt

(Cambridge University)

Wednesday 7^th December, 2005

starting at 7.30 pm

Nottingham University

Maths & Physics Building, Room B13

[Campus map – http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/about/campuses/documents/up-map.pdf]

Abstract

Mechanical vibration is often taught as if it were a simple science. The mass-on-a-spring, uni-axial vibration of a rod, viscous damping, modal analysis - all these are the bread and butter of vibration science. But real vibrating systems just don't behave like this. There are pitfalls in even the simplest cases and some will be demonstrated: a tuning fork; a bottle of cola; a glass of champagne; a bending beam; a turbocharger wheel. All of these systems behave counter-intuitively.

The "simple" examples above have simple explanations, and wouldn't it be great if all engineering problems were simple? The talk will also touch on the methods presently used to control vibration from underground railways. Some very counter-intuitive theoretical predictions will be presented; these were widely dismissed as rubbish until recently when measurements were made !!!

No charge is made to attend meetings, non-IMA members are welcome

The event is coordinated by East Midlands Branch Secretary, Dr Stephen Hibberd, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, email: stephen.hibberd@nottingham.ac.uk.

Details of East Midlands Branch activities: http://www.ima.org.uk/EMidBranch/ima.html