Vibration G-force Definition and Calculation

So called G-force, it is actually not a force. G-force is an acceleration expressed using G as the unit. G is referred to as the acceleration of gravity, which equals 9.81m/s2 at the sea level.

Acceleration of an object is defined as the rate of its velocity change (Δv) in a given period of time (Δt).

Acceleration a = Δv / Δt

Acceleration is commonly expressed using the unit m/s2. When it is related to acceleration's influence to human body, G-force is usually adopted to express acceleration so that its magnitude can be convenient comprehended, because on earth we experience the acceleration of gravity(G) all day long.

G-force is calculated as acceleration in m/s2 divided by G (9.81 m/s2). For a precise definition, G-force is an acceleration ratio that is related to the acceleration of gravity. For example, that a rocket moves up on a 2G acceleration during the launch means its acceleration is 2 times of the acceleration of gravity.

For a vibration plate, G-force is an important indicator of vibration intensity. The higher the G-force, the higher the influence the vibration plate can put on human body.

Non-Constant Acceleration

Vibration motion is in repeated cycles. In each cycle the velocity changes from zero to maximum, maximum to zero and repeats in reverse direction: v = ωDcos(ωt). The G-force of vibration keeps changing its value between the max positive value and the max negative value in each vibration cycle.

In physics, simple harmonic vibration model is used to analyze and calculate vibration acceleration. With this model, velocity and time are replaced by frequency and amplitude in the calculation.

The acceleration formula of simple harmonic vibration model is set as below.

It is important to note that the amplitude in this formula is the amplitude defined in physics. The "amplitude" quoted by all vibration plate manufacturers is actually peak-to-peak amplitude, which doubles the amplitude defined in physics.

Therefore, using this formula, the "amplitude" quoted by manufacturers should be cut by half in order to correctly calculate G-force. Otherwise, the G-force value result is incorrectly doubled.

Nominal Vibration Acceleration

Vibration acceleration is not a constant value. However, for a vibration plate, we want to use a nominal value to represent the vibration acceleration, so that we can properly reference, evaluate and compare the intensity of different vibration plates.

The nominal acceleration should also allow us to properly evaluate the influence of acceleration on our body, comparable to the influence of other typical types of acceleration, like acceleration from riding a rocket, an airplane or an elevator.

How do we find a nominal acceleration?

For a vertical vibration plate, its non-constant vibration acceleration influences us differently in each of 4 phases of a vibration cycle. Let's look at how the platform of a vibration plate moves and influences us in these four phases.

4 Phases of a Simple Harmonic Vibration

Phase 4 Vibration Acceleration

In a vibration cycle, phase 4 is the only phase that the vertical vibration platform actually applies a pushing force on user's body. The acceleration in phase 4 represents the intensity of the vibration plate.

In Phase 4, the vibration platform moves up in a similar manner of a launching rocket, which is typical. During launch, the rocket starts with the highest upward acceleration. Then the acceleration gradually reduces to zero as the rocket speed gradually increases and reaches plateau. This is the same when the vibration platform moves from the lowest point to the equilibrium point. It is just that rocket launch lasts a few minutes; while the Phase 4 vibration movement lasts only a tiny fraction of a second (1/4 of vibration cycle).

Phase 4 acceleration properly represents vibration intensity and the impact to human body. It is comparable with other typical types of acceleration in terms of the influence to human body. It fits the best as the nominal vibration acceleration of a vibration plate.

Within Phase 4, the acceleration is not mixed with positive and negative values. It is easy to find the rate of velocity change (Δv) of the entire phase in the time period of the phase (Δt).

The simple harmonic vibration model has provided the velocity formula:

v = (2πf)Acos(2πft)

The factor cos(2πft) changes from 0 to 1 in the time line of Phase 4. It expresses that, as the vibration platform travels from the lowest point to the equilibrium point, the velocity changes from 0 to (2πf)A.

Δv = (2πf)A

Phase 4 is 1/4 vibration cycle, so the time period is

Δt = 1/4(1/f) = 1/(4f)

Therefore,

Phase 4 acceleration = Δv/Δt = 8πf2 A = 25.12f2A

This is the formula of nominal vibration acceleration of vibration plate.

Nominal Vibration G-force

Let's convert the Phase 4 acceleration to Phase 4 G-force.

Phase 4 G-force = 25.12f2A/9.81 = 2.56f2A

f: vibration frequency in Hz
A: vibration amplitude in meter

Replace the unit of amplitude from meter to mini meter:

Phase 4 G-force = 0.00256f2A

Phase 4 G-force is the nominal vibration G-force that best represents the G-force of a vibration plate in terms of vibration intensity and the influence on human body. It is also comparable to other typical forms of acceleration, like from riding a rocket, an airplane, or an elevator.

Now we have the nominal vibration G-force formula for a vibration plate.

Vibration G-force's Impact on Human Body

On a vibration plate, vibration acceleration creates additional force on human body. It is calculated as the body weight multiplied by the G-force.

For example, you stand on a vibration plate running on 2G acceleration. You weigh 200Lb. In the 4th phase of a vibration cycle, you will experience a push-up force of 2x200LB=400Lb. You would feel a pull-down counter force of 400Lb. Adding your own body weight, he would feel as if your body weigh 400+200=600Lb. However, you may not perceive such a heavy weight, because pulling-down force only lasts a tiny fraction of a second (1/4 cycle) in each vibration cycle. If the vibration plate runs on 30Hz, this tiny period of time is 0.008 second.

Influence of Acceleration of Gravity

On earth, our body is subject to the acceleration of gravity (1G) all the time, which translate to the body weight we feel.

When on a running vibration plate, our body is subject to a combined G-force of the natural acceleration of gravity (1G) and the vibration G-force.

On the vertical direction, the combined G-force is calculated by simply adding 1G and the vibration G-force, because both accelerations are on the same vertical direction.

On the horizontal direction, the combined G-force is calculated by combining two vectors using Pythagorean theorem.

For vibration plates, we only focus on vertical direction G-force which provides the right pushing force that can be used as a treatment intervention.

Vibration G-Force Calculation Examples

G-Force of VT003F Vibration Plate

For Model VT003F vibration plate , the max G-force occurs at the frequency 40Hz, and peak-to-peak amplitude 1.32mm (A=0.66mm).

The nominal vibration G-force is calculated as below:

G-Force of VT007 Vibration Plate

For Model VT007 vibration plate , the max G-force occurs at the frequency 40Hz, and peak-to-peak amplitude 1.78mm (A=0.89mm).

The nominal vibration G-force is calculated as below:

G-force of VT027 Pivotal Oscillation Plate

For Model VT027 vibration plate , given the highest frequency 14Hz, and the highest peak-to-peak amplitude is 10mm (A=5mm).

The nominal vibration G-force is calculated as below:

Body Weight and G-force

Body weight is not a variable in G-force's calculation. However, for linear vibration plate, the amplitude yield to the user's body weight. So different body weight causes different G-force.

For pivotal oscillation type of vibration plate, body weight does not affect G-force.