Individual Research Project Progress Report: Spring Stiffness Analysis

This progress report details a student's research on spring stiffness, focusing on negative, zero, and infinite stiffness in mechanical springs. The report outlines achievements, planned activities, and changes to the project plan, including a Gantt chart. The introduction discusses the significance of mechanical vibration and its control, highlighting applications in vibration isolation. The student aims to create and measure simple negative, zero, and infinite stiffness springs under static and dynamic loads to establish an effective vibration isolation system. The report includes a proposed paper outline with sections such as introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and discussion, along with references to relevant research papers. The student has comprehended the stiffness phenomenon, developed a mathematical relationship, and participated in redesign efforts to improve spring stiffness. The project is based on past research in vibration isolation, emphasizing its importance in machine performance and safety.

College of Engineering
Coursework Submission Sheet
Coursework Title:Progress Report
Coursework number:Assessment5
Module code:EG-353
Module title:Individual Research Project
Submission deadline:2ndFebruary 2018 4pm
Your Supervisor: …………………………………….
Student number: ………………………………
Name: .........................................................……….
Email:......……………………………………………
Degree course: …………………………………
By submitting this coursework, I certify that this is all my own work.
Submission date ………………………………………
Before you submit your Progress Report, please give a rating of how confident you feel about having met
each of the assessment criteria:
C = Confident - I think I have met this criterion to the best of my ability
P = Partially confident – I have tried to meet this criterion but would appreciate more feedback
N = Not at all confident – I do not understand this criterion and need more guidance
1. My progress report is a true reflection of my progress
2. I am on track to satisfy all my targets
3. My supervisor is happy with my progress so far
4. My log-book is complete, up to date and had been regularly reviewed by my supervisor
5. I know how to write a good introduction
6. I think my outline is reasonable
7. I know how to reference using the Vancouver style
I would like feedback or advice on the following:
SPLD Students
Please tick this box if you are officially recognisedby the University as an SPLD student.

College of Engineering
EG-353 Research Project
Progress Report Dated: 21st January 2018
Springs with negative, zero and infinite stiffness
Your Name
Your Student Number
Your Supervisor’s Name

Achievements to Date
 Comprehended the stiffness phenomenon in mechanical springs
 Provided a platform for further interrogation on the stiffness of springs vis-à-vis performance
 Developed a mathematical relationship among negative stiffness, zero and infinite stiffness
 Participated in redesign of mechanical springs to improve on stiffness
Planned Activities
A1. Changing the project plan
A3. Progress Report
A3. Laboratory experimental results (tabulated)
A4. Vibration system sketched designs

Changes to Project Plan
See the Gant Chart Below
Time
Schedul
e
Month 1
Month
2
Activity Week1,2 Week 3 Week 4 Week1,2 Week3 Week 4
Project Initiation : Developing project methodology
Planning and scheduling
Literature search
First Draft
Experimental Design
Experiment 1
Design and sketching
Experiment 2
Second drafting
Sourcing for more materials
Start to write final report
Analysing experimental results
Developing the final report
Project review
Final report completed
Presentation

Draft Introduction
Mechanical vibration can both be a hindrance to machine performance and safety and at the same time be useful in some quarters. For instance, vibratory motion
has successfully been used in separating chaff from the grains in industrial processing. Besides, it is often used in the cement industry where different grades of
cement are realized in a screening unit. However, negative vibrations are often damped using methods such as use of mechanical springs which tend to isolate
the vibrating regime from the protected one (1). However, in automobiles, some vibration energy leaks through the suspension system and therefore contributes to
an active vibrating system (2). Admittedly, there are different kinds of springs depending on the type of stiffness, namely: negative, zero and infinite stiffness
springs. Negative stiffness is seen in structures that feature snap through motions, and is a key feature of structures that are bi-stable, that is: stable in two
different shapes. In parallel with a conventional positive stiffness, negative stiffness can be used to create a spring with zero stiffness hence promising
applications in vibration isolation (1). In series with a positive spring, it would appear that it is possible to create infinite stiffness. The objective is to create and
measure some simple negative, zero and infinite stiffness springs, and measures them under static and dynamic loads- potentially observing rich and chaotic
responses. In this regard, we are certain to establish an effective system of vibration isolation in which zero stiffness springs would result (3). Notably, my project
is based on the past researches done in this arena where different systems of vibration isolation are reviewed and newer systems are developed thereafter.
Vibration isolation is an essential component of machine performance and safety thus it will be critical to have an in-depth analysis of the same; that will be the
focus in this project.
Proposed Paper Outline
 Cover Page/Title page
 Acknowledgement
 Executive Summary
 Table of contents
 Introduction
 Literature Review
 Project Methodology design
 Results and Findings
 Discussion
 Conclusion

 Reference
 Appendix
References
1. MIZUNO T, TOUMIYA T, TAKASAKI M. Vibration Isolation System Using Negative Stiffness. JSME International Journal Series C. 2003;46(3):807-812.
2. HEMPSON J. The use of zero-stiffness strain gauges with low modulus structural models. Strain. 1977;13(2):74-75.
3. Jia X, Höfinger G, Mang H. Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Zero-stiffness Postbuckling. PAMM. 2010;10(1):173-174.