Let b be the damping constant of the
mounting structure of a machine as pictured in Figure P15.7. It must be
determined experimentally. First, the spring constant, K, is determined by
measuring the resultant displacement under a static load. The mass, m, is
directly measured. Finally, the damping ratio, ξ , is measured using an
impact test. The damping constant is given by b = 2ξ √Km. If the
allowable levels of error in the measurements of K, m, and ξ are ±5
percent, ±2 percent, and ±10 percent respectively, estimate a percentage error
limit for b.
