The geometrical stability of non-linear normal modes in two degree of freedom systems

The geometrical stability of the non-linear normal mode vibrations of a class of two degree of freedom dynamical systems is studied by utilizing the definitions and analysis of Synge's “Geometry of Dynamics.”It is shown that instabilities can occur for small amplitudes of vibration only if (a) one of the associated linear normal modes possesses a frequency which is nearly a multiple of the frequency of the other linear normal mode, or (b) the frequency of one linear normal mode is nearly zero.     

On the harmonic balance with linearization for asymmetric single degree of freedom non-linear oscillators

This paper deals with analytical approximation of non-linear oscillations of conservative asymmetric single degree of freedom systems, using the method of harmonic balance with linearization. This technique which consists of linearizing the governing equations prior to harmonic balance permits us to avoid solving complicated non-linear algebraic equations. But it could be applied only to symmetric oscillations for which it proves to be very simple and effective. This restriction is due to the fact that the method requires an appropriate initial approximate solution as input. Such a solution could not be readily identified for nonsymmetric oscillations, contrary the symmetric case where the fundamental harmonic works well. For these nonsymmetric oscillations, we propose in this paper to consider an initial approximation which consists of a small bias plus the fundamental harmonic. By expanding the corresponding harmonic balance equations respectively to first and second order in the bias, we are able to easily determine the bias and thus the required initial approximate solution that yields consistent solution at higher order. We use three examples to illustrate the proposed approach and reveal its simplicity and its very good convergence.     

On the analytical approximation of damped oscillations of autonomous single degree of freedom oscillators

In this paper, we discuss the generalization of a recently developed perturbation method for conservative single degree of freedom systems to the cases of damping forces. We show that by explicitly considering the solution as a function of the amplitude parameter, frequency and phase of oscillation, one can merge the classical Krylov–Bogoliubov–Mitropolsky method and a modified Lindstedt–Poincaré method to derive better accurate slow-flow for damped oscillation of single degree of freedom systems.     

Two degree of freedom gyroscopic systems with linear integrals

In this paper we consider the first integrals, linear in velocities, of conservative gyroscopic systems with two degrees of freedom. A precise criterion which specifies whether a given gyroscopic system possesses a linear integral is derived. When the kinetic energy has the structure of a standard form of the metric of revolution, all the possible systems which admit a linear integral and corresponding integrals are determined explicitly. Two examples are considered to illustrate the usefulness of the derived results.     

A single degree of freedom ‘lollipop’ model for carbon nanotube bundle formation

Current carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis methods include the production of ordered, free-standing vertically aligned arrays, the properties of which are partially governed by interactions between adjacent tubes. Using material parameters determined by atomistic methods, here we represent individual CNTs by a simple single degree of freedom ‘lollipop’ model to investigate the formation, mechanics, and self-organization of CNT bundles driven by weak van der Waals interactions. The computationally efficient simple single degree of freedom model enables us to study arrays consisting of hundreds of thousands of nanotubes. The effects of nanotube parameters such as aspect ratio, bending stiffness, and surface energy, on formation and bundle size, as well as the intentional manipulation of bundle pattern formation, are investigated. We report studies with both single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and double wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) with varying aspect ratios (that is, varying height). We calculate the local density distributions of the nanotube bundles and show that there exists a maximum attainable bundle density regardless of an increase in surface energy for nanotubes with given spacing and stiffness. In addition to applications to CNTs, our model can also be applied to other types of nanotube arrays (e.g. protein nanotubes, polymer nanofilaments).     

Adiabatic invariants for dynamical systems with one degree of freedom

Adiabatic invariants for dynamical systems with one degree of freedom, whose equation of motion is (1), and where the existence of the corresponding Hamilton action integral is not imposed, are established. The adiabatic invariants may vary according to their structure. Using the theory a few particular problems, including non-autonomous Duffing and Van der Pol oscillators, are analysed. Finally, it is indicated how the adiabatic invariants can be used for finding approximate solutions, stability analyses and for plotting phase curves.     

Multiple parametric resonance in a non-linear two degree of freedom system

A non-linear two degrees of freedom dynamical system subjected to parametric excitation is studied. The relationship between the parametric frequency and the natural frequencies of the system are such that the first generalized coordinate is excited into parametric resonance while both generalized coordinates are excited into combination resonance at the same time. The unstable zone and response of the system under multi-resonant condition are then compared with the unstable zones and responses of the system where each type of resonance is treated on an individual basis, assuming the other type of resonance does not occur.     

Dynamic response of a two degree of freedom spherical system in a fluid

Summary The steady state and transient response of a two degree of freedom spherical system immersed in a viscous fluid medium, initially at rest, is investigated with the inclusion of the fluid reaction derived by Basset in the differential equations of motion. In the steady state study, phase angle and amplitude ratio curves are presented from which the mode shapes of the system, for wide ranges of density ratio, frequency ratio and Stokes number, can be obtained. In the investigation of transient response, the system is subjected to impulsive base displacements and the equations of motion are solved numerically. The response curves obtained illustrate the effect of each dimensionless parameter on the dynamic behavior of the system.

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Übersicht Es wird das stationäre Verhalten und das Einschwingen eines kugelförmigen Systems von zwei Freiheitsgraden untersucht, das sich in einer viskosen Flüssigkeit befindet und anfänglich in Ruhe ist. In den Bewegungsgleichungen werden die von Basset abgeleiteten Reaktionskräfte der Flüssigkeit berücksichtigt. Für das stationäre Verhalten werden Amplituden- und Phasen-Kurven angegeben, aus denen die Schwingungsformen für einen weiten Bereich von Dichteverhältnis, Frequenzverhältnis und Stokes'scher Zahl erhalten werden können. Das Einschwingverhalten wird numerisch errechnet, wobei das System als durch Stöße an der Basis erregt angenommen wird. Die erhaltenen Einschwingkurven zeigen den Einfluß der dimensionslos gemachten Parameter auf das dynamische Verhalten des Systems.

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The research on which this paper is based was supported in part by The National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. GK 479 and GP 2094 to Northwestern University. Acknowledgment is also given to the Northwestern University Computing Center and the National Science Foundation whose funds aided in the establishment of the Center.     

Calibration of a ready-mounted strapdown inertial navigation system on a low-accuracy turntable with one degree of freedom

A mathematical model of instrument errors of strapdown inertial navigation systems is considered. The parameters of this model are determined by a special algorithm in the case of using a low-accuracy turntable with one degree of freedom. A distinguished feature of this algorithm is that the characteristics of the turntable sensors are not directly used in it. The performance of the algorithm is illustrated by an example of data processing.     

Linearized harmonic balance based derivation of slow flow for some class of autonomous single degree of freedom oscillators

In this paper we exploit the embedding of linearization in the harmonic balance method developed by Wu and its collaborators to propose an approach for deriving the slow flow for some class of damped autonomous single degree of freedom oscillators. The linearized harmonic balance method is used to compute the coefficients of the harmonics of an assumed form of the solution and to derive a system of two coupled ordinary differential equations related to the slow flow. A power series procedure is next used to decouple the coupled system and to obtain the slow flow. Two examples provided to illustrate the proposed procedure show excellent results.     

Analytical study of a class of non-linear,stochastic, autonomous oscillators with one degree of freedom

Summary In this work it is studied the behaviour of a class of autonomous, one degree of freedom, non-linear oscillators with random coefficients and initial conditions. Analytical approximated results regarding the joint density function and the moments of the state variables are deduced by a suitable application of the classical perturbation methods used in the deterministic cases, and by making use of some constructive theorems proved in ref.s[1] and[2]. The analytical results are utilized in two simple examples, to study the behaviour of an undamped non-linear oscillator and a Van der Pol oscillator with random constant coefficients and initial conditions.

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Sommario Nel presente lavoro si studia il comportamento di una classe di sistemi oscillanti non lineari, autonomi con un grado di libertà, con condizioni iniziali e coefficienti costanti a carattere aleatorio. Applicando i classici metodi perturbativi relativi ai casi deterministici, ed utilizzando alcuni teoremi costruttivi dedotti nelle ref.[1] e[2], vengono dedotti risultati analitici riguardanti la densità di probabilità ed i momenti delle variabili di stato che intervengono nel processo stocastico prima definito. I risultati analitici sono utilizzati in due esempi specifici, riguardanti un oscillatore non lineare senza smorzamento ed un oscillatore di tipo Van der Pol con coefficienti costanti e condizioni iniziali di tipo aleatorio.

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This work has been realized within the activities of the Italian Council for the Research (C.N.R.), Gruppo Nazionale per la Fisica Matematica (GNFM).     

Optimal design of an uncoupled six degree of freedom dynamometer

A design analysis of a class of six degree of freedom strain-gage dynamometers which are virtually uncoupled in each force and moment component is presented. The method of design is detailed and an optimal design algorithm is implemented. The dynamometer is made of six or more T-sections with thin webs and flanges called shear panel elements (SPE). Complete stress and buckling analyses are carried out for the SPE, and experiments confirm the predictions of the analyses. The optimal design method is illustrated with several case studies. A dynamometer has been built and used in laboratory and field experiments.     

The stability boundary of systems with one degree of freedom (Part II)

Summary This paper is designed as a supplement to Part I with a view to adding to the practical value of the theory presented there. Singular critical points which may arise under certain circumstances, and the effect of their presence on the shape of the stability boundary are investigated. It is shown that such points, if they exist, will generally lie on planes in the loading space, and that a simple linear eigenvalue approach will readily yield their location. An example is solved for illustration, and the results of an experiment are reported.

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Sommario Questa nota rappresenta un'integrazione ad una precedente (Parte I) e si propone di accrescere il valore applicativo della teoria ivi sviluppata. Si studiano punti critici singolari che possono presentarsi in certe circostanze, e le conseguenze della loro presenza sulla forma del dominio di stabilità. Si dimostra che se tali punti esistono, appartengono in generale a piani nello spazio dei carichi e che la loro ubicazione può essere facilmente determinata con un semplice procedimento fondato sulla considerazione degli autovalori. La risoluzione di un esempio e risultati sperimentali illustrano le conclusioni raggiunte in sede teorica.