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Damping capacity is the ability of materials to absorb vibration by converting mechanical energy into heat. Wood materials are advantageous to possess good damping capacity so that any excessive vibration is dampened to a reasonable limit as it is characterized by exhibiting both viscous and elastic characteristics simultaneously. In this thesis, therefore, the damping characteristics of five indigenous wood species (Cordia Africana, Juniperus Procera, Afrocarpus Gracilior, Syzygium Guineense and Acacia Decurrens) grown in Ethiopia were investigated through analytical, numerical and experimental approaches. The analytical and numerical analysis was performed to obtain the first three natural frequencies based on the Euler-Bernoulli’s beam theory. The experimental testing was performed to determine the fundamental natural frequency and damping factor of a perfectly clamped-free cantilever beam using piezoelectric accelerometer in association with LabVIEW based on the impact hammer excitation. The damping ratio was analyzed using logarithmic decrement method from the time response graph plotted. By comparing the natural frequencies of five wood species materials, it is seen that Acacia Decurrens recorded the highest natural frequency while Afrocarpus Gracilior recorded the lowest for the same cross section and length. The experimental result confirms that the damping factor for all species of woods was almost equal to 0.020 at room temperature. This is definitely greater than for most other crystalline materials like metals and its alloys. Thus, woods are better suited for mechanical and structural applications subjected to vibrations if the other strength properties are satisfactory. |
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