An investigation into non-linear vibrations of thin plates

The variational and modified forms of the von Kármán-type non-linear plate equations are considered in the context of the Rayleigh-Ritz and Galerkin methods. An approximate analysis of the non-linear vibrations of thin elastic plates including inplane inertia is presented. The quantitative study confirms that the inplane inertia effects are negligible for thin plates provided the non-linearity is not too large. It is observed that the non-linear inertia terms in the transverse equation of motion should be retained in any such study. The analysis is simplified by neglecting the inplane inertia and applied to constrained and unconstrained plates. A different type of inplane boundary condition termed ‘the partially constrained’ is studied, and the inadequacy of replacing the unconstrained condition by means of an average-zero stress condition is clearly demonstrated. It is observed that in most of the cases considered the Galerkin method yields lower bounds for the non-linear coefficient of the modal equation. In all cases the Galerkin results yield less stiff models than the Rayleigh-Ritz method. The general significance of the convergence of the two methods beyond the scope of the title problem is highlighted.     

A survey of equations of motion in terms of inertial quasi-velocities for serial manipulators

In this work we compare equations of motion using the so-called inertial quasi-velocities. As a result of these velocities we obtain two first-order decoupled equations of motion instead of one second-order differential equation of motion. The methods presented here, solve in a way, the problem of nonlinear dynamic decoupling. The first and the second method result from diagonalized Lagrangian robot dynamics (Jain and Rodriguez, IEEE Trans Robot Autom 11:571–584, 1995) and are known as normalized and unnormalized quasi-velocities. The third method described by Junkins and Schaub (J Astronaut Sci 45:279–295, 1997) offers eigenfactor quasi-coordinate velocities formulation for multibody dynamics. As a consequence of using transformation given by Loduha and Ravani (Trans ASME J Appl Mech 62:216–222, 1995) we obtain decoupled equations of motion in terms of modified generalized velocity components. Here we limit all these methods to serial manipulators. The novelty of this paper consists in physical interpretation of the quasi-velocities and discussion concerning equations of motion, the kinetic energy shaping, relationship between each of them and properties useful for simulation and control purposes. Also forward dynamics algorithms and their computational complexity in terms of new velocities are given. Simulation results illustrate the theoretical investigations. We conclude that all methods offer interesting possibilities for dynamic simulation and future control investigations.     

An experimental investigation into non-linear wave loading on horizontal axis tidal turbines

Tidal turbines are subject to large hydrodynamic loads from combinations of currents and waves, which contribute significantly to fatigue, extreme loading and power flow requirements. Physical model testing enables these loads and power fluctuations to be assessed and understood in a controlled and repeatable environment. In this work, a 1:15 scale tidal turbine model is utilised to further the fundamental understanding of the influence of waves on tidal turbines. A wide range of regular waves are generated in both following-current and opposing-current conditions. Wave frequencies range from 0.31 Hz to 0.55 Hz & wave heights from 0.025 m to 0.37 m in a fixed 0.81 m/s current velocity. Waves are selected and programmed specifically to facilitate frequency domain analysis, and techniques are employed to isolate the effect of non-linear waves on turbine power and thrust.Results demonstrate that wave action induces large variations in turbine power and thrust compared to current only conditions. For the range of conditions tested, peak values of thrust and power exceed current-only values by between 7%–65% and 13%–160% respectively. These wave-induced fluctuations are shown to increase with wave amplitude and decrease with wave frequency. Following wave conditions exhibit greater variations than opposing for waves with the same wave height and frequency due to the lower associated wavenumbers.A model is developed and presented to aid the understanding of the high-order harmonic response of the turbine to waves, which is further demonstrated using steady state coefficients under assumptions of pseudo-stationarity. This approach is proven to be effective at estimating wave-induced power and thrust fluctuations for the combinations of waves, currents and turbine state tested. The outcome of which shows promise as a rapid design tool that can evaluate the effect of site-specific wave–current conditions on turbine performance.     

Dynamics of cantilevered pipes conveying fluid. Part 1: Nonlinear equations of three-dimensional motion

In a three-part study, the first part being this paper, the investigation of the three-dimensional nonlinear dynamics of unrestrained and restrained cantilevered pipes conveying fluid is undertaken. The full derivation of the equations of motion in three dimensions for the plain cantilevered pipe is presented first in this paper, using a modified version of Hamilton's principle, adapted for an open system. Intermediate (between the clamped and free end) nonlinear spring constraints are then incorporated into the equations of motion via the method of virtual work. Furthermore, a point mass fixed at the free end of the pipe is also added to the system. The equations of motion are presented in dimensionless form and then discretized with Galerkin's method.     

Integration of linear and some model non-linear equations of motion of incompressible fluids

We suggest a new exact method that allows one to construct solutions to a wide class of linear and some model non-linear hydrodynamic-type systems. The method is based on splitting a system into a few simpler equations; two different representations of solutions (non-symmetric and symmetric) are given. We derive formulas that connect solutions to linear three-dimensional stationary and non-stationary systems (corresponding to different models of incompressible fluids in the absence of mass forces) with solutions to two independent equations, one of which being the Laplace equation and the other following from the equation of motion for any velocity component at zero pressure. To illustrate the potentials of the method, we consider the Stokes equations, describing slow flows of viscous incompressible fluids, as well as linearized equations corresponding to Maxwell's and some other viscoelastic models. We also suggest and analyze a differential-difference fluid model with a constant relaxation time. We give examples of integrable non-linear hydrodynamic-type systems. The results obtained can be suitable for the integration of linear hydrodynamic equations and for testing numerical methods designed to solve non-linear equations of continuum mechanics.     

Unsteady motion of a non-linear viscoelastic fluid

In this paper, we study the unsteady flow of a generalized second grade fluid. Specifically, we solve numerically the linear momentum equations for the flow of this viscoelastic shear-thinning (shear-thickening) fluid surrounding a solid cylindrical rod that is suddenly set into longitudinal and torsional motion. The equations are made dimensionless. The results are presented for the shear stresses at the wall, related to the drag force; these are physical quantities of interest, especially in oil-drilling applications.     

An interpretation of the yield behaviour of polymers in terms of correlated motion

An interpretation of yield behaviour in polymers is given in terms of the stress-activated flow of structural units over an energy barrier together with an additional correlated component to the motion. This correlated contribution takes account, in the simplest way possible, of the state of other conformations, and it is shown to lead to an effective activation-energy barrier which depends in part on the strain present at any time in the material. In this manner, the present work relates to previous work by M.G. Brereton, S.G. Croll, R.A. Duckett and I.M. Ward (1974), who, on purely phenomenological grounds, proposed a relation between stress and strain which had the form of a feedback equation. Specifically, the strain resulting from an applied stress was assumed to modify the material in a way which reduced its resistance to stress. The basic equation obtained here is non-linear and shows a yield-like behaviour resulting from a dynamical (as opposed to a geometrical) instability. Furthermore, it indicates a consistent relation between yield in creep tests and in constant strain-rate tests.     

Nonlinear motion of a beam

The investigation reported herein analyzes the vibration of a uniform beam with hinged ends which are restrained. The beam is subjected to a linearly-varying distributed load which has a maximum intensity w ₀ at the center and is released from rest when the load is suddenly removed. The motion is found to be inherently nonlinear, even for small vibrations, and there is dynamic mode-coupling. The mode frequencies are functionally related to initial conditions, particularly the amplitudes of all modes.     

On the equations of non-linear vibrations

The purpose of this short paper is to show that equations of non-linear vibrations whose linear parts involve two coefficient matrices can be simplified so that the linear portions become uncoupled. Equivalence transformations are utilized in the simplification, which can substantially streamline any subsequent analysis.     

A new method for the non-linear deflection analysis of an infinite beam resting on a non-linear elastic foundation

The aim of this paper is to develop a new method of analyzing the non-linear deflection behavior of an infinite beam on a non-linear elastic foundation. Non-linear beam problems have traditionally been dealt with by semi-analytical approaches that involve small perturbations or by numerical methods, such as the non-linear finite element method. In this paper, in contrast, a transformed non-linear integral equation that governs non-linear beam deflection behavior is formulated to develop a new method for non-linear solutions. The proposed method requires an iteration to solve non-linear problems, but is fairly simple and straightforward to apply. It also converges quickly, whereas traditional non-linear solution procedures are generally quite complex in application. Mathematical analysis of the proposed method is performed. In addition, illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of the method developed in the present study.     

An experimental investigation of viscoelastic damping for beam type accelerometers

Accelerometers have been recognized as the primary transducer used to measure dynamic characteristics of vibrating structures for many years. They maintain excellent linearity over a wide frequency range, self generating capabilities, high sensitivity, and compact design. However, as each new accelerometer is designed, different characteristics emerge which may be either desirable or undesirable depending on the particular application of the device.     

A new semi-analytical method for the non-linear static analysis of an infinite beam on a non-linear elastic foundation: A general approach to a variable beam cross-section

We propose a new non-linear method for the static analysis of an infinite non-uniform beam resting on a non-linear elastic foundation under localized external loads. To this end, an integral operator equation is newly formulated, which is equivalent to the original differential equation of non-uniform beam. By using the integral operator equation, we propose a new functional iterative method for static beam analysis as a general approach to a variable beam cross-section. The method proposed is fairly simple as well as straightforward to apply. An illustrative example is presented to examine the validity of the proposed method. It shows that just a few iterations are required for an accurate solution.     

STABILITY OF MOTION FOR A CONSTRAINED BIRKHOFF'S SYSTEM IN TERMS OF INDEPENDENT VARIABLES

I.IntroductionInl927,AmericanmathematicianG.D.Birkh0ffgaveakindofequationsofdynamicswhichweremoregeneralthantheHamilton'sequationsinhiswork"DynamicalSystems-l'].TheequationsarecalledBirkhofCsequationssuggested.byAmericanphysicianR.M.SantiIIiinl978[2j.Inl9…     

Integrability of equations of motion for a wheeled robot

Integrability of equations of motion for a three-wheeled mobile robot is considered in the case when the robot moves on a rough horizontal surface without slipping and separation.