ANALYSIS OF MASS SPRING DISPLACEMENT USING ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS

AND NUMERICAL METHODS

An Experimental Case Study Involving

Applications of Numerical Methods in Spring-Mass Systems

College of Engineering, Architecture, and Industrial Design

Mechanical Engineering Department

BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

Main Campus, Tagbilaran City

Bitasolo, Marissa L.

Canda, Justine Dorothy J.

Peligro, Xyra Reign D.

Rulona, Klent Shandalle O.

Tugonon, Romer

2025
Introduction

Understanding the motion of spring-mass systems is essential in various fields of

engineering and physics, particularly in modeling vibrations, oscillations, and mechanical

dynamics. A mass-spring system behaves according to Hooke’s Law, which states that

the restoring force is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium, provided the

elastic limit is not exceeded (Halliday, Resnick, & Walker, 2014). This behavior can be

mathematically described using second-order differential equations derived from

Newton’s Second Law of Motion, making it an ideal subject for applying both analytical

and numerical solution techniques.

This study investigates the displacement behavior of a spring-mass system using two

approaches: the analytical method based on exact differential equation solutions, and the

numerical method using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithm. The goal is to compare

the results obtained from both methods against actual experimental data to assess their

accuracy and practical application in modeling real-world mechanical systems (Boyce &

DiPrima, 2012).

By integrating theoretical concepts with empirical data, the experiment highlights the

value of mathematical modeling in engineering analysis. It also emphasizes the

importance of numerical methods in solving complex physical problems where analytical

solutions may be difficult or impossible to obtain.

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Hypothesis

The displacement of the mass-spring system could be modelled using analytical solutions

and numerical equations- particularly Runge-Kutta fourth order method. The obtained

data from both will be sufficiently accurate to satisfy the experimental data.

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Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 Conceptual Experimental Framework

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Materials and Equipments

Spring: A helical metal coil, that can be pressed or pulled but returns to its former shape

when released, used to exert tension or absorb movement from the mass of the object

hanging from it. It is recommended that the spring be equipped with a built-in hook.

Rocks: Represents the mass of the load that will pull the spring downward.

Plastic bag: An elastic bag with opening carrying handles used to contain the rocks.

Weighing scale: A device used for the precise determination of the rock’s mass

Tape measure: A long, thin piece of metal that is marked with units of length used to

measure the increase of length in the spring.

Stopwatch: A stopwatch is essential for timing the oscillations of a spring-mass system,

allowing precise measurement of the period and frequency.

Metal nail: It is a metal fastener with a flat surface that is embedded on a wood which

stands as a hook-like point that can support the spring.

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Design

This section presents the proposed design of the spring assembly, wherein the

mechanism of spring vibration is tested to obtain experimental data that is a crucial tool

in this study as it aims to explore the theoretical and experimental applications of second-

order linear differential equations in modeling spring-mass systems.

Figure 2 Spring Assembly Initial Design

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Experimental Procedures

I. Preparation of the Experimental Environment:

. Securely attach the spring to a rigid support like a metal nail embedded on a wood

with its head protruding on the surface where the spring can be securely hung.

II. Calibrate the Spring

. Before applying any load, measure the initial length of the spring [length of the

spring]. It is the relaxed state where the spring is unstretched.

III. Weigh the Load:

. Weigh each rock intended to be used in the experiment using the weighing scale.

A. Record the mass of the load [mass of the load].

IV. Apply the Load:

. Hang the load onto the hook of the spring carefully.

A. Give the spring time to settle, ensuring that no further movement occurs.

V. Measure the Elongation:

. Measure the increase of length of the spring after the load has been applied.

A. Record the new length as the stretched length x=[length]

B. Calculate the change in length (Δx = [stretched length - unstretched length) caused

by the load.

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Mathematical Modelling Procedure

Based on the proposed design of the spring assembly, a steel spring is attached to a

support and hangs downward securing it only moves in up-down motion. Within certain

elastic limit the spring will obey Hooke's law: If the spring is stretched or compressed, its

change in length will be proportional to the force exerted upon it and, when that force is

removed, the spring will return to its original position with its length and other physical

properties unchanged. There is, therefore, associated with each spring a numerical

constant, the ratio of the force exerted to the displacement produced by that force.

𝑑2 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑚 2 +𝛾 + 𝑘𝑥 = 𝐹
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

1. y = y(t) is the position (in meters) at time t (in seconds) of the object attached to

the spring. As before, the x–axis is positioned so that

a. x =0 is the location of the object when the spring is at its natural length.

(This is the “equilibrium point” of the object, at least when F = 0).

b. x >0 when the spring is stretched.

c. X<0 when spring is compressed.

Figure 3 Three equivalent mass/spring systems with slightly different orientations.

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 2. m is the mass (in kilograms) of the object attached to the spring.

3. Κ is the spring constant, a positive quantity describing the “stiffness” of the spring

(with “stiffer” springs having larger values for κ).

4. 𝛾 is the damping constant, a nonnegative quantity describing how much friction is

present in the system resisting the motion of the spring.

5. F is the summation of all the forces present in the spring system (implied force),

other than those responding due to the spring being stretched or compressed, and

the frictional forces inflicted by the damper.

The spring constant is measured as the certain elastic limit of spring that obeys

Hooke’s law. Hooke's Law states that if the distortion of an elastic body is not too large,

the force tending to restore the body to equilibrium is proportional to the displacement of

the body from equilibrium.

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Analytical Solution

The mathematical principles presented are solved using application of Ordinary

Differential Equation; to study Hooke’s Law and simple harmonic motion by studying the

behaviour of mass on spring.

To mathematically model the behavior of the spring, application of differential equation

is used:

𝑥 ′′ (𝑡) + 2𝛾𝑥 ′ (𝑡) + 𝛽 2 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝐹(𝑡)

𝑥 ′′ (𝑡) = acceleration of spring at time (t)

𝑏𝑔
2𝛾 = 𝑤

𝑏= damping constant

𝑔= gravitational acceleration (32𝑓𝑡/𝑠 2 )

𝑤= weight of mass attached to the spring

𝑥 ′ (𝑡) = velocity of spring at time (t)

𝑘𝑔
𝛽2 = 𝑤

𝑘= spring constant

𝑔= gravitational acceleration (32𝑓𝑡/𝑠 2 )

𝑤= weight of mass attached to the spring

𝑥(𝑡) = displacement of spring at time (t)

If there is no friction in the system then, the system is undamped, ignoring

the damping constant present in the equation, with summation of forces equating

to:

𝐹(𝑡) = 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡

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 where:

𝑘
𝜔=√
𝑚

Numerical Method

This study uses Runge-Ketta fourth method, a numerical technique that can be used to

approximate solutions used to determine the displacement of the mass spring at any given time.

Introducing a new variable, 𝑣, representing the velocity of the mass.

𝑑𝑥
𝑣=
𝑑𝑡

Rewriting second-order equation

𝑑𝑣 𝑘 𝑐 𝐹(𝑡)
= − 𝑥 − 𝑣 +
𝑑𝑡 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚

𝑥(𝑡) 𝑑𝑦
Let 𝑦(𝑡) = [ ] , then the system of ODEs can be written vector form as 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑓(𝑡, 𝑦), where:
𝑣(𝑡)

𝑘 𝑐 𝐹(𝑡)
𝑓(𝑡, 𝑦) = − 𝑥− 𝑣+
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚

The Runge-Ketta fourth-order method is an iterative process that advances the solution

from a time 𝑡𝑖 to the next time step 𝑡𝑖+1 = 𝑡𝑖 + ℎ, where ℎ is the step size. Given the

𝑥𝑖+1
solution 𝑦𝑖 = [𝑣 ] at time 𝑡𝑖+1 using following steps
𝑖+1

Calculate the four intermediate slopes:

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Here, 𝑘1 , 𝑘2 , k 3, and 𝑘4 are vectors with two components each, corresponding to change

in displacement and velocity.

Update the solution:

Updated rule applied to both the displacement and the velocity components:

To determine the displacement of the mass over a period of time:

1. Determine the initial conditions for the system at time t=0, i.e., the initial

displacement x(0) and the initial velocity v(0).

2. Choose a suitable step size h. A smaller step size generally leads to more accurate

results but requires more computation.

3. Iteratively apply the Runge-Ketta fourth-order method to calculate the

displacement xi and velocity vi at each time step 𝑡𝑖 = 𝑖 ⋅ ℎ for the desired time

duration.

4. The sequence of 𝑥𝑖 values will provide the approximate displace of the mass as a

function of time.

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