MACHINERY VIBRATIONS
AN INTRODUCTION TO VIBRATION ANALYSIS
Asst. Prof. Dr. Thaier J. Ntayeesh
University of Baghdad
Mech.Eng. Dept.
Basic Machine Vibrations Overview
Measurement units
Physical Characteristics
Vibrations
Frequency
Period
Amplitude
phase
Basic Machine Vibrations Overview
Motions
Harmonic
Periodic
Vibration measures
Displacement
Velocity
Acceleration
Conversion of measures
Basic Machine Vibrations Overview
Vibration measurements
Phase measurement
Vibration analysis
Excitation
Natural frequencies, mode shapes and critical
speeds
Vibration Units
The basic units used in this presentation to
describe vibratory forces and motions are:
Pound (lb.)
Inch (in.)
Second (sec.)
Vibration Units (Cont.)
Amplitudes of vibration motion are commonly
described using the following measurement units:
Displacement, mils – peak to peak
(1,000mils – 1 inch)
Velocity, in/sec. – peak or rms (ips-peak or rms)
Acceleration, g’s – peak or rms (386.1in/sec² = 1g)
Vibration Units (Cont.)
Frequencies are expressed in:
Cycles/minute (CPM)
Cycles/second (Hz, CPS) or
Orders (1x, 2x, ……10x)
Shaft speed is expressed in revolutions per minute (RPM)
Phase is expressed in degrees (deg.), in which one
revolution of a shafts or one period of vibration is 360°
Phase measurement is used in conjunction with a
vibration measurement to locate the position of a rotor
System Properties
Mass = Volume x Density
Weight = Mass x g
or
Mass = weight/g
Mass = lb./in/sec² = lb. x sec²/in
g = gravitational constant
= 386.1in/sec²
Harmonic Motion (Cont.)
The period is usually measured in milliseconds
(1,000 milliseconds per second)
Harmonic motion has only one frequency
Natural Frequencies, Mode shapes and
Critical Speed
A natural frequency is a property of the system
design (mass and stiffness)
Resonance is a condition in which the excitation
frequency is at or close to a natural frequency
Critical speed is a resonance caused by a
rotating machine
A mode shape is a shape associated with a
system when it vibrates at a natural frequency
Harmonic Motion
Frequency is defined as:
The number of cycles or event per unit time
Units of frequency are Hz (CPS), CPM and orders
Period is the time required for one cycle
τ – seconds/cycle
f = 1/τ = cycles/second
Harmonic Motion (Cont.)
Harmonic Motion (Cont.)
Periodic Motion
Motion that repeats itself at equal time intervals
is periodic
Periodic motion can be broken down into a
number of harmonic motions
Example : (Next Slide)
16.67 mSec/cycle = 0.01667 sec/cycle
(1,000 mSec = 1sec)
f = 1cycle/0.01667 sec. = 60.00Hz = 3600CPM
Periodic Motion (Cont.)
Amplitude
Amplitude is the level of vibration in a data
sample
Peak Amplitude is the largest value, plus or
minus, in a data sample
Peak to peak amplitude is the maximum
excursion of a vibration cycle measure on
adjacent positive and negative peaks
Rms = root mean square of spectrum
Rms = 0.707 x peak amplitude
Vibration Measures (Cont.)
Measure Units Description
Displacement mils p-p Motion of machine, structure
or rotor, relates to stress
Velocity In/sec Time rate of motion, relates to
component fatigue
Accelerations g’s Relates to forces present in
components
1 mil = 0.001 inch; p-p = peak to peak
1g = 386.1 inches/sec²
Harmonic Conversion
Harmonic Conversion (Cont.)
Velocity = 2π f D
Acceleration = 2π f V or (2πf)² D
D = peak displacement, inches
f = frequency, cycles /sec
V = velocity, in/sec
A = Acceleration, in/sec²
(divide by 386.1 in/sec²/g to obtain acceleration
in g’s)
Basic Math
Procedure
Write formula
A = 2π f V
Write Known values
A = 2g
f = 5,000cpm
Basic Math Procedure (Cont.)
Change to lb. –in. –sec. unit
A = 2 x 386.1 in/sec² = 772.2in/sec²
5,000 cycles
f= sec = 83.33Hz (cycles/sec)
60 min
min
Identity unknown
v = velocity, in/sec
Basic Math Procedure (Cont.)
Rewrite formula to isolate unknown
A = 2π f V
A
V=
2πf
772.2
V=
2 x 3.14 x 83.33
V = 1.48 in/sec
Conversion Examples
Example 1.1
Convert a displacement of 2mils peak to peak
at 1775 CPM to velocity in in./sec. – peak
2mils peak to peak = 1 mil peak = 0.001inch
peak
f = 1,775 CPM; f = 1,775 CPM/60 = 29.58 Hz
Then V = 2π f D
V = (6.28) (29.58) (0.001) = 0.186 in/sec.
Conversion Examples
Example 1.2
Convert a velocity of 0.15 IPS – peak at 6,000Hz
to acceleration in g’s rms
A = 2π f V
A = (6.28) (6,000Hz) (0.15 IPS-peak)
A = 5,652 in/sec²
A = 5,652/386.1 = 14.64g’s peak
A = (14.63) (0.707) = 10.35 g’s rms
Conversion Examples
Example 1.3
Convert an acceleration of 0.5 g’s rms at 1,775
CPM to displacement in mils, peak-to-peak
f = 1,775 cycles/min; f = 1,775 CPM/60 = 29.58 Hz
D = acceleration / (2π f)²
D = 0.5 g (386.1 in./sec²/g)/ [(2π x 29.58)²]
D = 0.0056 (2) (1,000 mils/in.)
D = 11.2 mils peak to peak
Waveform Analysis
Excitation
Source Frequency (Multiple of RPM)
Fault induced
Mass unbalance 1x
Misalignment 1x, 2x
Bent Shaft 1x
Mechanical looseness Odd orders of x (may be 1x)
Casing and foundation distortion 1x
Antifriction bearings Bearing frequencies, not integer ones
Impact mechanisms Multi frequency
Design induced
Universal joints 2x
Asymmetric shaft 2x
Gear mesh (n teeth) nx
Couplings (m jaws) mx
Fluid film bearings (oil whirl) 0.43x – 0.47x
Blades and vanes (m) mx
Reciprocating machines Half and full multiples of speed, on design
Signal Magnitude Determination
OVERALL PEAK
The largest positive or negative zero to peak value in the
velocity or acceleration time waveform
OVERALL PEAK TO PEAK
The largest peak to peak value (measured on adjacent
positive and negative peaks) in a displacement time
waveform
OVERALL RMS (ROOT-MEAN-SQUARE), averaged or not
averaged
ANALOG: magnitude of filtered or unfiltered signal
passed through an RMS detector
DIGITAL: averaged energy signal as calculated by the
spectrum FFT
Signal Magnitude Determination
PEAK COMPONENT
Peak value (rms x 1.414) a component (bin) in the
spectrum – averaged or not averaged
RMS COMPONENT
Rms averaged valve of a component (bin) in the
spectrum
peak = 1.414 x RMS
NOTE
rms cannot be obtained from the time waveform unless it has
a single frequency
PEAK cannot be obtained from the spectrum unless it has
only one component
Signal Magnitude Determination
Summary of Basic Vibration
Three important characteristics of vibration are
Frequency
Amplitude
Phase
The frequency is
The number of cycles per unit of time
The period is
The time required for one cycle of vibration
It is the reciprocal of frequency
Summary of Basic Vibration (Cont.)
Amplitude is the maximum value of vibration at a given
location on a machine. It is expressed in
mils (displacement)
in./sec. (velocity), or
g’s (acceleration)
The amplitude of a vibration is expressed in units of
Peak
Peak to peak
rms
Peak and rms are used with velocity and acceleration
Mils peak to peak is used with displacement
Summary of Basic Vibration (Cont.)
The measure of vibration -
Displacement (stress)
Velocity (fatigue) and
Acceleration (force)
Can be converted one to the other if the
vibration is a single frequency (harmonic)
Phase is the time relationship between vibration
and/or forces of the same frequency
A force, or excitation, causes vibration.
Vibration always lags force in time
Summary of Basic Vibration (Cont.)
Vibration forces arise from-
Process variables
Improper design
Bad installation and
defects
Vibrations are analyzed in the time waveform and
the frequency spectrum
Natural frequencies are
A property of a machine system
Depend on mass and stiffness
Summary of Basic Vibration (Cont.)
Resonance occurs when a forcing frequency is
equal to or close to a natural frequency
A critical speed is a special resonance in rotating
machine
Vibration is amplified at resonance
CHAPTER 2
DATA ACQUISTION
Data Acquisition
Selecting a measure
Transducer Selection
Proximity probe
Velocity transducer
accelerometer
Transducer mounting
Transducer location
Frequency Span
Selecting A Measure
Table 2.1
MEASURE USEFUL PHYSICAL APPLICATION
FREQUENCY PARAMETER
SPAN
Relative 0 – 1,000 Hz Stress/ motion Relative motions in
displacement bearings/ casings
Absolute 0 – 20 Hz Stress/motion Structural motion
displacement (ISO Range
0 – 10 Hz)
Velocity 10 – 1,000Hz Energy/Fatigue General machine
condition, medium
frequency vibrations
Acceleration > 1,000Hz Force General machine
condition, high-frequency
vibration
Selecting A Measure
Default frequency spans for Data collectors
Table 2.2
Component Span
Shaft vibration 10 x RPM
Gearbox 3 x GM
Rolling element bearing 10 x BPFI
Pump 3 x VP
Motors/generators 3 x 2 LF
Fans 3 x BP
Sleeve bearings 10 x RPM
Procedure: Measure Selection
Calculate default frequency spans (Fmax), or
spans based on experience
Compare to useful frequency ranges of measures
Select seismic measures for high and low
frequencies encountered on pedestals
Select relative displacement measure where non-
contacting displacement sensor measure effective
shaft vibration
Example: Measure Selection
Example 2.1: Select a measure for the 9Mw single-reduction
gearbox described in Table 2.3
The gearbox uses fluid-film bearings and is sufficiently large
(greater than 500HP) to justify permanently-mounted
proximity probes for evaluating the position of the journal in
the bearing and ratio of the vibration to the bearing
clearance. The analyst is thus able to assess severity of the
shaft vibration of the journal.
Because the gear-mesh frequency (3,00Hz) is greater than
1,000Hz (see table 2.1), casing acceleration should be
monitored and analyzed. Frequency spans of 10,000Hz (See
Table 2.2) should be monitored in acceleration and
75,000CPM (high-speed input) and 12,000 CPM (output)
respectively in shaft vibration from the proximity probes
Example: Measure Selection
Example 2.2: Select a measure for a low speed 300RPm
dryer roll (see Table 2.3)
The multi-ton roll is mounted on large spherical roller
bearings with 26 elements per row. Mass unbalance is not a
major consideration due to the low speed which results in a
relatively small unbalance force. The highest rolling element
bearing frequency is the ball pass frequency of the inner
race. It can be estimated as
BPFI = (0.6) (RPM) (N)
BPFI = (0.6) (300) (26) = 4,680 CPM (78Hz)
Therefore, the frequency span is 780Hz (See table 2.2). This
value is within the velocity range. (See table 2.1)
Example: Measure Selection
Example 2.3: Select a measure for a 200HP – four pole induction motor
with eight rolling elements in the bearings.
The operating speed vibrations have a frequency of 1,800CPM (30Hz)
and a frequency span of 300hz, which is within the velocity range. The
bearing frequency span is
(BPFI) (10) = (0.6) (8) (1800) = 86,400 CPM (1,440Hz)
Because the majority of the activity is in the velocity range, a velocity
transducer can be used even though some activity is above 1,000Hz.
The useful frequency spans of all measures overlap. Therefore, the
measure should be selected from the predominant portion of the
frequency activity of the component. For example, if the default
frequency span for the bearing had been 2,880Hz (16 rolling element
bearings), acceleration would have been selected as a measure for
the bearings. Unfortunately, the shaft vibration span of 300Hz remains
within the velocity range. Therefore two measures, velocity and
acceleration are required
Selected Measure
Table 2.3. Measure for Selected machines
Machine Hp/Mw Speed (RPM) Bearing Type Measure(s) Transducers
Large 4,000hp 3,600rpm Fluid-film Displacement Proximity probe
induction -Shaft
Motor
Induction 200hp 1,800rpm 8 rolling Velocity – Integrated
Motor elements casing accelerometer
or velocity
Diesel Engine 400hp 1,800rpm Fluid film Velocity – Integrated
casing accelerometer
or velocity
High 18,000hp 5000rpm Fluid – film Displacement Proximity probe
Performance – Shaft Integrated
Centrifugal Velocity accelerometer
pump casing or velocity
Reciprocating 200hp 300rpm 15 rolling Velocity – Integrated
pump elements casing accelerometer
Selected Measure
Table 2.3. Measure for Selected machines
Machine Hp/Mw Speed Bearing Measure(s) Transducers
(RPM) Type
Centrifugal 1,000hp 5,000rpm Fluid-film Displacement Proximity probe
Compressor -Shaft
Reciprocating 500hp 400rpm Fluid - Velocity – Integrated
compressor Film casing accelerometer
or velocity
Dryer Roll 300rpm 26 rolling Velocity – Integrated
elements casing accelerometer
or velocity
Transducer Selection
Measure
Signal Strength
Sensitivity
Size
Frequency response
Signal processing (integration, amplification and
filtering)
Proximity Probe
Relative displacement sensor
Sensitivity is 200MV/mil
DC signal is proportional to distance from shaft
AC signal is proportional to vibration
Negative 24 volt power supply
Range: 5 to 80 mils
Flat Frequency response
Sensitive to shaft imperfections
Mechanical (scratches, nicks, etc.)
Metallurgical (residual magnetic fields)
Velocity Transducer
Absolute vibration velocity
Self-generating signal; no power supply
Sensitivity is 100 – 1,000 MV/IPS
Frequency response is flat from 10Hz to 2,000Hz (ISO limit is 1,000Hz)
Absolute shaft vibration (with fishtail)
Accelerometer
Absolute vibration acceleration
24 volt power supply
Sensitivity is 5 – 1,000 MV/g
Size controls frequency response
Signal integrated for velocity, double integrated for
displacement
Subject to cable noise
Low frequency integration noise can produce
“ski-slope” in spectrum plot
Triggering Devices
Provide 1x or Nx signal for phase, synchronous time
averaging or orbits
Optical pickup
Proximity probe
Magnetic pickup
Strobe light
OPTICAL PICKUP MAGNETIC PICKUP
Transducer Mounting
Method Frequency limit
Hand Held 500 Hz
Magnet 2,000 Hz
Adhesive 2,500 – 4,000 Hz
Bees Wax 5,000Hz
Stud 6,100 – 10,000 Hz
Transducer Mounting
Measurement Points
Close to the bearing
Horizontal/Vertical bearing centerline
Axial in load zone
Signal transmission sensitivity
Machine design
Measurement Points
Transducer Location
Radial Direction: operating speed (1x) faults such as mass
unbalance, looseness and misalignment
Axial Direction: gear and rolling element faults
Machine vibration
• displacement
• velocity
Transducer Location
Time and Frequency Relationship
Data Display
Summary of Data Acquisition
Rolling element bearing and gear-excited
vibrations are measured in the axial direction
Select proper frequency spans and lines so that all
vibration activity is captured with adequate
resolution
Set up the data collector for acquisition to provide
data displays that enhance analysis
Measures – Displacement, velocity or acceleration
– to evaluate machine condition are machine
specific
Summary of Data Acquisition
Vibration transducers should be selected for
frequency response, signal strength, size, machine
type and bearing type
Signal strength depends on the measure selected
and the frequency of interest
Acceleration signals are
Small in magnitude at low frequencies
As are displacement signals at high frequencies
Integration of acceleration signals can cause
large-magnitude low frequency noise
Summary of Data Acquisition
Frequency response is
The ability of a transducer to reproduce the
magnitude of vibration
Within a given frequency range
Vibration transducers should be:
Located close to the bearing and
Mounted to acquire data at the frequency of interest
Vibration at operating speed (1x) such as mass
unbalance, misalignment and looseness are
Monitored in the radial direction
Analyzed in the axial and radial direction
CHAPTER 3
DATA PROCESSING
Data Processing
Oscilloscope
FFT Spectrum Analyzer
Electronic data Collector
Data Sampling
Data Display
Windowing
Window Selection
Resolution
Data Collector Setup resolution
Oscilloscopes
Triggering Controls display
External intensity input Z-axis
Vertical amplifier Voltage scale
Horizontal time base sec or msec
Time base can be switched to amplifier, i.e.
voltage scale
Hor amp + Ver amp + z-axis = ORBIT
Oscilloscopes
Oscilloscopes
Example 3.1: Find the amplitude and period of the
time waveform shown in Figure 3.2
Time base setting = 10 msec/div
Amplifier setting = 0.2 volt/div
Transducer calibration = 1,000 mv/in./sec.
Oscilloscope Analysis
Oscilloscope Analysis
Period = (4div) (10msec/div) = 40msec = 0.04 sec
Frequency = 1/0.04 sec = 25 Hz = 1,500 CPM
Amplitude = (1div) 0.2 volt/div = 0.2volt = 200mv
200mv/1,000mv/in./sec. = 0.2 in/sec
FFT Analysis
Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)
Computer-based instrument
Analog to digital converter
Digitized data block
Number of samples is power of 2
Sampling rate up to 256,000 samples /sec
Number of lines limited 100,200,400… up to 6400
May have zoom – maintain the number of lines
but decrease fmax
Electronic Data Collector
FFT based analysis – similar features
Large data storage capability
Portable, less than 10 lbs
Route friendly
Overall or band monitoring
Downloadable to computer
Contains programs to simulate diagnostic
instrument
WINDROCK VIBRATION ANALYZER
Data Sampling
1,024 samples for 400 lines
Ts = data acquisition time = number of lines/Fmax
Lowest resolvable frequency = 1/Ts
Data Sampling
Data Display
Spectrum plot and Time wave
Window Selection
Window Purpose Amplitude Window Factor
uncertainty (WF)
Uniform Impact test 56.50% 1.0
Hanning Fault Analysis 18.80% 1.5
Flat top Condition 1.00% 3.8
Monitoring
Frequency Span
Bandwidth = (WF)
Number of lines
Resolution = 2 x Bandwidth
Dynamic Range
Capability of analyzer to resolve small-amplitude
frequency components in the presence of large
amplitude ones (usually acceleration)
Auto Ranging
dB = 20 LOG V/VREF
V/VREF 10dB/20
Data Collector Setup Resolution
Example 3.2: Calculate the lines of resolution and Data
Acquisition time
Data are being acquired on a two-pole electric motor
with a suspected air-gap problem (vibration is occurring
at 120Hz or 7200CPM)
The motor operates at 3,580 RPM. Two times operating
speed is 7,160CPM
The difference between two times line frequency and two
times operating speed is 40 CPM
If the frequency span of 500 Hz (30,000CPM) were chosen,
what number of lines of resolution will be required if a
Hanning window is used?
What will be the data acquisition time
Data Collector Setup Resolution
Resolution = 2 x (Fmax/N) x WF, or rearranging
the equation
No. of lines = 2 x (Fmax/resolution) x WF
No. of lines = 2 x (30,000/40) x 1.5 = 2,250
Therefore 3,200 lines would be required
Data Acquisition time = no of lines/ Frequency
Span
3,200/500Hz = 6.4 sec
Data Collector Setup Resolution
Example 3.3: Lines of resolution
Data are being acquired from a fan operating at
956RPM
The fan is mounted close to a second fan that
operates at 970RPM
How many lines of resolution are required to
resolve shaft frequency using a Hanning window
and a minimum frequency span of 10 times the
operating speed (9700CPM)
Since 12,000 CPM is an available frequency span
on the data collector, it is selected
Data Collector Setup Resolution
Resolution required = 970 CPM – 956 CPM = 14
CPM
The 14 CPM = [2 x (12,000CPM) x 1.5)]/ no. of lines
No. of lines = [2 x (12,000 CPM) x 1.5] /14 CPM =
2,572 lines
Therefore 3,200 lines, the next highest number of
lines available on the data collector, would
provide sufficient resolution
Data Collector Setup Resolution
Summary of Data Processing
Summary of Data Processing
The oscilloscope can display orbits (x-y) of a
shaft or pedestal motion by changing the time
base to the horizontal amplifier
Shaft rotational speed and number of revolutions
of the shaft per cycle of vibration can be
displayed using z-axis intensification of the
oscilloscope
Triggering signal obtained from a proximity
probe or an optical pickup can be used to
initiate and/or control data acquisition
Summary of Data Processing
The FFT analyzer displays a time waveform and a
spectrum from a digitized block of data
FFT data are displayed in discrete lines called
bins. Frequencies between these lines cannot be
distinguished
The lowest resolvable frequency is 1/Ts
The data acquisition time is second for a block
of data used by an FFT analyzer to produce a
spectrum is equal to the number of lines divided
by the frequency span in Hertz
Summary of Data Processing
The Hanning window is used in general data collection
because it is a good compromise between amplitude
accuracy and frequency resolution
The uniform window is used for impact because it starts
and ends at zero without compromising the initial data
sample
The amount of resolution determines whether or not
closely spaced frequencies can be viewed in the
spectrum
The resolution of an FFT analyzer setup is calculated by
multiplying 2 times the window factor by the ratio of the
frequency span to the number of lines