Proceedings of the IMAC-XXVII

February 9-12, 2009 Orlando, Florida USA

2009 Society for Experimental Mechanics Inc.

Vibration Site Survey Measurements

and Combined System Modal Analysis
by
Timothy J. Copeland
m+p international, inc. tim.copeland@mpina.com

1. Abstract

The goal of a site vibration survey is to determine the vibration levels at a specific location.
Measurements are captured over a representative time, to characterize the vibration, and are used to
determine if those levels will influence operation of planned or existing machinery. A new approach
using modern data acquisition and analysis techniques that allow immediate onsite vibration survey
evaluation is described. Advanced measurements acquired simultaneously yield further beneficial
information and driving point measurements can be used to build and validate dynamic models of the
combined system.

2. Introduction

Vibration standards and test codes exist to aid the user in the types of measurements required to
capture the vibration levels of machinery described in reference [1]. Specific ISO standards have been
well developed to aid the user in measuring and quantify machinery vibration detailed in reference [2].
Vibration surveys of the site or location of the equipment to be installed cannot utilize many of these
standards and techniques since the machinery is not yet present. The published references on vibration
site surveys show a common method, measuring a single location over a specified time. The
measurement is compared directly to the manufacturer published vibration limits. This method has
been successful in identifying potential problems that a site may have. They are useful in doing
comparison studies measuring before and after the vibration-sensitive equipment are installed. They
can be used to survey new locations and perform direct comparisons between two sites to see which
can be the better location for installation. A review of published vibration surveys indicates a single
channel analyzer and a measurement period averaging 1 to 8 hours (a single shift). The type of
equipment typically consisted of a single channel analyzer. Capturing multiple locations such as the four
attach points could take multiple shifts. This would not be accurate as most sites have different vibration
levels during each of the three daily shifts in a 24 hour period. This single location measurement would
be plotted vs. the limit level prescribed by the equipment manufacturer. A key step in the process is to
work with the Equipment Manufacturer and determine what level of vibration is acceptable.

3. Approach

Coordination is required to first define and understand the machinery location and placement. Location
of the sensors to measure the environment must be representative of the attachment points for the
machinery. Understanding the basic structural design of the equipment is required. Most machinery
receives the vibration excitation through their attachment to the floor, but care must be taken if other
paths are available. An example is machinery that is loaded by forklift or other manual processes during
operation. Details of the machinery sensitivity to vibration must be documented and understood to be
successful performing the site survey. This information can be scanned in and used as overlays to the
real time data acquisition, and this is the basis on which the acceptance criteria are based. Finally,
cooperation of the site manager is required to insure the measurement is accomplished during
representative work times with all the external forces present. For example, nearby fork lift operation
may cause forces and needs to be measured. The test engineer must work with the site manager to
inquire about any operations not present but which may be present during the operation of the
machinery.

4. New Measurements Approach

The ability to gather multiple channels simultaneously enables the test engineer to meet the traditional
requirements and in the same period gather additional data. The traditional required data include time
vs. level plots, which compare with the machinery manufacturers specification. Levels include time vs.
acceleration, time vs. displacement, and time vs. velocity. Modern analyzers can acquire data from
multiple locations simultaneously while displaying the levels in real time. This allows a more thorough
coverage of the machinery placement area compared to the previous techniques of gathering a single
location, then moving to a new location. Exact locations of the attachment points may not be defined,
but a grid can be measured that covers the entire mounting area. Then the highest level measured at a
single point can be used for comparison with the reference. Real time displays can be used to monitor
the levels as they are gathered giving the test engineer the first look at the results and the ability to
report immediate findings. New features allow the overlay of a reference trace directly on the real time
display more fully described in reference [3]. A sample display is provided in Figure 4.1

Sample Spectrum Level Display with Overlay of Limit Curve

100

10

1
Log g rms

100m

10m

1m

100
0 1k 2k 2.2k
Frequency - Hz

Figure 4.1 Example Spectrum Level Plots with Limit Curve

The overlay allows quick visualization of the acceptance criteria and allows for engineering judgment in
the pass/fail determination. An example is where the measured data exceeds the acceptance criteria in
a frequency band. This display allows the engineer onsite to visualize if the measured data exceeds the
specification. Management and design teams can share this instant analysis delivered electronically via
Email of an active plot. Active plots allow the end user to perform more detailed analysis without the
need for the engineering program. In Word or PowerPoint the user can cursor the data, determine rms
levels, band the data and compute levels. The end user can use the calculator to transform time data to
frequency and to octave data. Operations include applying weighting, FFT, integrate, differentiate, x/jw,
x*jw, square root, orbit, 1/3 octave and 1/1 octave. This allows remote viewers to receive an email
containing the preliminary data and perform their own quick analysis, while the test engineer continues
measuring data at the site.

Real time displays of additional computed results are available which can very useful. An averaged
spectrum or displacement plot vs. frequency may be needed as in Figure 4.1 to compare to
manufacturer limit curves, but peak time histories showing acceleration, velocity and displacement can
also be computed and viewed. These powerful displays resembling strip chart recorders allow the
engineer to view the entire measurement event even hours long in a single display. This is very useful
when correlating site events with vibration impact. Repeated events are easily visible and non-linear
effects can be more easily seen. A sample plot is shown in figure 4.2 below.

Peak Time History

20m

17.682 s 12.328m g
15m 34.937 s 11.613m g 73.581 s 11.613m g
Amplitude g

10m

5m

0
0 20 40 60 79
Time - s

Figure 4.2 Example Real time displays that indicate the peak values in strip chart type mode.

Many types of processed data are available including, time record, windowed time, integrated time,
double integrated time, Positive Peak time history, negative peak time history, mean time history, rms
time history, rms integrated time history, rms double integrated time history, spectrum, power spectral
density, auto and cross spectrum, coherence and frequency response function. The ability to
automatically display peak values during the measurement allows the engineer to quickly visualize the
locations with the highest levels and to understand what frequencies are present. Displays can be
grouped by location and easily managed during the acquisition. Processed data can be displayed as well
as the raw time histories. This allows real time analysis which enables the engineer to determine if the
measurement is valid, and increases test time since no post processing has to be done after the
measurement finishes. A new measurement can be immediately started. An example is where specific
frequencies are known to cause machinery problems. A real time spectrum plot of all the channels can
be use to quickly scan for those frequencies as shown below in figure 4.3.

Peak Acceleration Spectrum Plots - Real Time Display

10m
Spectrum(Floor.9.X,Floor.9.X)
10.588 Hz 8.2748m g Spectrum(Floor.9.Y,Floor.9.Y)
17.412 Hz 3.0032m g Spectrum(Floor.9.Z,Floor.9.Z)
Spectrum(Floor.1.X,Floor.1.X)
1m 296.54 Hz 1.1991m gSpectrum(Floor.1.Y,Floor.1.Y)
Spectrum(Floor.1.Z,Floor.1.Z)
Spectrum(Floor.2.Z,Floor.2.Z)
Spectrum(Floor.4.Z,Floor.4.Z)
Log g pk-pk

100

10

1
0 200 400 640
Frequency - Hz

Figure 4.3 Real time peak spectrum displays indicate the channel and the frequency of peak vibration

5. Advanced Analysis

The ability to acquire long time histories from multiple channels simultaneously while processing block
averaged data allows the engineer to also compute more advanced results. Animated mode shapes can
be viewed directly from the time histories as well as viewing operating modal results at specific
frequencies. A sample mode shape can be seen in Figure 5.1.
 Figure 5.1 Animated mode shape can indicate the motion and the relative amplitudes

Many types of processed data are available including, time record, windowed time, integrated time,
double integrated time, Positive Peak time history, negative peak time history, mean time history, rms
time history, rms integrated time history, rms double integrated time history, spectrum, power spectral
density, auto and cross spectrum, coherence and frequency response function.

6. Acoustic Measurements

Ability to add a microphone to the accelerometers allows capturing the acoustic environment as well.
Some equipment manufacturers include acoustic as well as vibration limits on their equipment. In this
case sound quality metrics can also be computed along with the standard sound level meter
measurements. Sharpness and roughness give measurements based on the spectral content and
articulation index, which can be used to determine if communication is intelligible in the presence of the
background noise. The ability to measure these additional acoustic measurements enables the engineer
to capture them simultaneously and to provide comparison between 2 locations to evaluate any
possible problems. Countermeasures can include barriers, restricting types of work or equipment
operation in the area and local sound proofing on the machinery. Quick measurements of the metrics
can show the effect of the counter measures and also serve as quality measurement over time to insure
it is staying effective. The real time functions you can save include specific loudness, specific loudness
time history, transient loudness, transient loudness time history, percentile time history, sharpness time
history, articulation index and extended articulation index. Octave measurements can be captured with
options for 1/1, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/24 octave with ability to set the start and stop frequency of the band.
To match other SLM the response time can be set to custom and entered or standard values of Fast,
Slow, Impulse, Linear Averaging or LEQ. Measurement interval can be set and options for save every n
measurement allows user to be selective on how many measurements are saved. Processing includes
averaging options of peak overall sound pressure level, peak band or linear.
Currently vibration measurements are the primary acceptance criteria for vibration surveys since most
manufacturers publish limits specification in terms of vibration level. Integrators and end users of the
same machinery have developed their own criteria which in some cases include the acoustic
environment. Recent successes with acoustic measurements allow managers and design engineers
another measurement tool to evaluate a site for possible problems to machinery operation.

7. Wireless Measurements

Modern measurement software can take advantage of constantly improving data acquisition hardware.
This open solution benefit can be seen when measurement of moving equipment is required. Traditional
approaches include slip rings and telemetry, but the cost and complexity of those systems prevented
their use for vibration surveys. Recent product releases allow a four channel 24 bit data acquisition unit
to be connected over standard wireless network. This allows the test engineer to place the transducer
on the moving part and be able to acquire data using a laptop with a wireless connection to the front
end. Any machinery that rotates or articulates can be extremely hard to instrument and wire. One
example is forklift operation measurement where the operator drives over significant distances and
makes many turns and changes of direction. Interior vehicle noise is another example where previous
solutions required a complete system on board and then access using off the shelf remote terminal
programs on a 2nd system. Now a small unit can be placed onboard and using wireless connection the
analysis and acquisition system can be stationary. A representative unit is pictured below as Figure 7.1
and further detailed in reference [4].

Figure 7.1 Wireless acquisition and data transfer unit.

8. Dynamic Modeling Measurements

The ability to make quick measurements with the installed transducers provides the engineer the
possibility of gathering data which can be used to analytically evaluate the combined response due to
the environment. Assuming an infinitely stiff floor model allows the engineer to estimate response of
the machinery to measured floor vibration acceleration. This is accomplished with the use of machinery
attach point driving point FRFs (Frequency Response Functions). A more involved and costly process
would involve a system model that is based on results of a machinery modal test along with driving
point FRFs measured on the floor (at machinery attach points). Yet another level of increased
sophistication (and cost) would include Finite Element Models of the floor and machinery, a project
usually not attractive to a manufacturing plant manager looking for a quick practical solution to his
equipment installation problems.

Returning to the more practical FRF approach, lets consider the problem of enforcing base (floor)
motion upon a structure to be mounted on the floor. The problem is idealized as an infinitely rigid floor
enforcing some vertical motion, x(t), at the attachment points of a spring (stiffness k) and a viscous
damper (damping constant, c) which support a mass, m. The model is sketched as Figure 8.1 taken from
reference [5].

Figure 8.1 Single-Degree-Of-Freedom system mounted on a floor. The floor enforces motion x(t)
and the response motion of the sprung mass is y(t).

The only forces acting on the free mass are Fk due to the spring and Fc due to the damper. These forces
are:

Setting the sum of the forces equal to mass times acceleration,

Or,

Now, we can separate out the base motion terms, bringing them to the right hand side of the equation.
We recognize this as the standard form of a second order differential equation for a S.D.O.F. with the
role of the right hand side forcing function being played by the enforced motion.

Next, perform a Fourier transform on both sides of the equation so as to find a solution in the frequency
domain.

The transmissibility, T(), or amplification factor, is the ratio of the mounted structure motion divided
by the floor motion, Y()/X(),

Algebraic manipulation includes rationalizing the denominator, defining the damping ratio, = c/cc, and
the frequency ratio, = /r.

Once this transmissibility function is determined, then the response motion of the mounted structure
can be estimated by multiplying this function by the Fourier transform of the floor motion. Inverse
transform the resulting motion to obtain the time domain response. Obtain the transfer function by
measuring the driving point FRF at the floor attach point of the structure to be mounted.
Using an impact hammer with accelerometers already in place for the vibration survey this
measurement can be done in minutes. Driving point measurements are accomplished by impacting the
floor attach points close to where the accelerometers are located. Understanding the structure being
impacted and its design is required to be able to impact with sufficient energy in the frequency bands of
interest. Modal hammers up to sledge-hammer size models are available. Sample transfer functions are
show in figure 8.2.

Driving Point FRF measured at each attach point

1

100m

10m
Log g/N

1m

FRF(Floor.1.X,Floor.1.X)
100 FRF(Floor.1.Y,Floor.1.Y)
FRF(Floor.1.Z,Floor.1.Z)
10 FRF(Floor.2.Z,Floor.2.Z)
FRF(Floor.9.X,Floor.9.X)
FRF(Floor.9.Y,Floor.9.Y)
1
0 500 1k 1.1k
Frequency - Hz

Figure 8.2 Driving Point Transfer Functions

Combined system response to the excitation can be computed using the straightforward approach
described. This allows the design team to compute the vibration response to the environmental forces
seen during the site survey. It allows modification studies to reduce the impact of the environment with
structural changes of the machinery. It also allows future equipment upgrades to be evaluated
analytically prior to installation.

9. Summary
An approach to vibration site survey has been detailed, showing how advanced data acquisition systems
can speed the measurements. Multiple channels acquired simultaneously can cover a larger area more
quickly than previous single channel systems. Real time displays can be used to capture long time
histories over the time period of normal operation and immediately compared to the manufacturer limit
levels. This information can be reported electronically from the test floor with internet access directly to
management and design teams. Active reports allow the design team to further analyze the data
immediately in Word or PowerPoint and provide feedback to the test engineer. Transducers can be
moved to new locations based on the results and other site variables can be modified and the data
quickly gathered to compare. Advanced processing features allow more results to be computed in
parallel to the level information which enable even more insight to the site dynamics. Cross-powers and
transfer functions can be used for modal analysis enabling visualize the motion at various frequencies.
Acoustic measurements can be acquired along with images and video to further capture the
environmental forces. These attributes can be used in comparison of sites or to periodically measure to
insure no significant changes have occurred. Images and video can be attached to the measurement and
results data to aid report generation and documentation. This visual information can also aid designers
and managers who are not able to go onsite to see the environment. Finally driving point measurements
can be easily gathered which can be used to build a system model which includes the environmental
forces and the machinery modal models allowing further insight into the dynamic response. These
models can also be used for design modification studies and for comparison with other sites.

This approach can be used to meet the primary goal of determining if site vibration exceeds equipment
specification and at the same time provide valuable added information, while minimizing the time spent
onsite.
10. References

[1] Maedel, Jr, P. Vibration Standards and Test Codes, Shock and Vibration Handbook 5th edition (Cyril
Harris, editor), McGraw Hill Publishing Co. (2001).

[2] ISO/TC108 Technical committee, Mechanical vibration, shock and condition monitoring.

[3] Smart Office Analyzer V3.3 User Manual, m+p international.

[4] National Instruments, WLS-9234, four-channel IEEE 802.11 wireless 51.2 kS/s/ch, 24-Bit, 5 V IEPE
Input data acquisition front end. See www.ni.com for more details.

[5] Experimental Structural Dynamics, An Introduction to Experimental Methods of Characterizing

Vibrating Structures, Robert E. Coleman, ISBN 1-4184-1139-6.