In order to determine the mass moment of inertia of a flywheel of radius 600 mm, a 12-kg block is attached to a wire that is wrapped around the flywheel. The block is released and is observed to fall 3 m in 4.6 s. To eliminate bearing friction from the computation, a second block of mass 24 kg is used and is observed to fall 3 m in 3.1 s. Assuming that the moment of the couple due to friction remains constant, determine the mass moment of inertia of the flywheel.

Explanation:

Given that,

When Mass of block is 12kg

M = 12kg

Block falls 3m in 4.6 seconds

When the mass of block is 24kg

M = 24kg

Block falls 3m in 3.1 seconds

The radius of the wheel is 600mm

R = 600mm = 0.6m

We want to find the moment of inertia of the flywheel

Taking moment about point G.

Then,

Clockwise moment = Anticlockwise moment

ΣM_G = Σ(M_G)_eff

M•g•R - Mf = I•α + M•a•R

Relationship between angular acceleration and linear acceleration

a = αR

α = a / R

M•g•R - Mf = I•a / R + M•a•R

Case 1, when y = 3 t = 4.6s

M = 12kg

Using equation of motion

y = ut + ½at², where u = 0m/s

3 = ½a × 4.6²

3 × 2 = 4.6²a

a = 6 / 4.6²

a = 0.284 m/s²

M•g•R - Mf = I•a / R + M•a•R

12 × 9.81 × 0.6 - Mf = I × 0.284/0.6 + 12 × 0.284 × 0.6

70.632 - Mf = 0.4726•I + 2.0448

Re arrange

0.4726•I + Mf = 70.632-2.0448

0.4726•I + Mf = 68.5832 equation 1

Second case

Case 2, when y = 3 t = 3.1s

M= 24kg

Using equation of motion

y = ut + ½at², where u = 0m/s

3 = ½a × 3.1²

3 × 2 = 3.1²a

a = 6 / 3.1²

a = 0.6243 m/s²

M•g•R - Mf = I•a / R + M•a•R

24 × 9.81 × 0.6 - Mf = I × 0.6243/0.6 + 24 × 0.6243 × 0.6

141.264 - Mf = 1.0406•I + 8.99

Re arrange

1.0406•I + Mf = 141.264 - 8.99

1.0406•I + Mf = 132.274 equation 2

Solving equation 1 and 2 simultaneously

Subtract equation 1 from 2,

Then, we have

1.0406•I - 0.4726•I = 132.274 - 68.5832

0.568•I = 63.6908

I = 63.6908 / 0.568

I = 112.13 kgm²