A Discussion of the Vibration Characteristics of a Simple Mechanical Connection

Abstract

The behavior of a simple mechanical connection over an extended frequency range is analyzed with particular reference to vibration transmission and isolation. The limitations inherent in a simplified analysis are clarified by a more refined treatment of the problem. The significance of higher critical frequencies associated with the distributed mass of the connection is pointed out, and this leads to a more generalized concept of rigidity. A qualified definition of rigidity is subsequently introduced, and the corresponding performance characteristics of a vibration transmitter and isolator are discussed. The dependency of performance criteria on the type of excitation is emphasized, and the essential ideas embodied in the paper are illustrated in an example.