The Dynamics of a Ringing Church Bell

Church bell ringing as practised in the UK involves large-amplitude motions of both bell and clapper. A simulation model is developed and validated against experimental measurements. It is shown that the clapper does not hit the bell with a single impact but a long series of bounces, and this has im...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advances in Acoustics and Vibration 2012-01, Vol.2012 (2012), p.387-405
Main Authors: Woodhouse, J., Rene, J. C., Hall, C. S., Smith, L. T. W., King, F. H., McClenahan, J. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bells
Bouncing
Charts
Churches
Computer simulation
Decay
Diagnosis
Energy conservation
Studies
Vibration
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Summary:Church bell ringing as practised in the UK involves large-amplitude motions of both bell and clapper. A simulation model is developed and validated against experimental measurements. It is shown that the clapper does not hit the bell with a single impact but a long series of bounces, and this has important consequences for the decay profile of the bell vibration. Information relevant to bell-ringers and bell-hangers is collected in a series of design charts derived from the simulation model. These charts can assist in the diagnosis and correction of faults. Arising from the analysis of the bouncing clapper, a more general result is also presented relating to the frequency bandwidth when any structure is excited by a small bouncing impactor, for example an impulse hammer used in vibration testing.
ISSN:1687-6261
1687-627X
1687-6261
DOI:10.1155/2012/681787