The Dynamics of a Ringing Church Bell

Abstract EN

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.