Static and dynamic beam forms of the loss of stability of a long orthotropic cylindrical shell under external pressure

A cylindrical shell with end sections which are closed and supported by hinges, in accordance with the concepts of the rod theory, is considered to be under the action of an omnidirectional external pressure which remains normal to the lateral surface during the deformation process. It is shown that, for such shells, the previously constructed consistent equations of the momentless theory, reduced using the Timoshenko shear model to the one-dimensional equations of the rod theory, describe three forms of loss of stability: (1) static loss of stability, which occures through a bending mode from the action of the total end axial compression force since, under the clamping conditions considered, its non-conservative part cannot perform work on deflections of the axial line; (2) also a static loss of stability but one which occurs through a purely shear mode with the conversion of a cylinder with normal sections into a cylinder with parallel sloping sections and a corresponding critical load which is independent of the length of the shell; (3) dynamic loss of stability which occurs through a bending-shear form and can only be revealed by a dynamic method using an improved shear model.     

Instability Paths in the Kirchhoff–Plateau Problem

The Kirchhoff–Plateau problem concerns the equilibrium shapes of a system in which a flexible filament in the form of a closed loop is spanned by a soap film, with the filament being modeled as a Kirchhoff rod and the action of the spanning surface being solely due to surface tension. Adopting a variational approach, we define an energy associated with shape deformations of the system and then derive general equilibrium and (linear) stability conditions by considering the first and second variations of the energy functional. We analyze in detail the transition to instability of flat circular configurations, which are ground states for the system in the absence of surface tension, when the latter is progressively increased. Such a theoretical study is particularly useful here, since the many different perturbations that can lead to instability make it challenging to perform an exhaustive experimental investigation. We generalize previous results, since we allow the filament to possess a curved intrinsic shape and also to display anisotropic flexural properties (as happens when the cross section of the filament is noncircular). This is accomplished by using a rod energy which is familiar from the modeling of DNA filaments. We find that the presence of intrinsic curvature is necessary to obtain a first buckling mode which is not purely tangent to the spanning surface. We also elucidate the role of twisting buckling modes, which become relevant in the presence of flexural anisotropy.     

A limit cycle in a non-conservative sytem in 1:2 resonance

Systems with two degrees of freedom under the action of non-conservative forces and small linear viscous friction forces with complete dissipation are considered. A limit cycle that exists under specific conditions in the vicinity of an isolated equilibrium of the system is constructed using asymptotic methods in the case of 1:2 resonance. A criterion for asymptotic stability of this cycle is obtained to within equality-type relations. An estimate of the region of attraction of the limit cycle in a truncated system is given. Oscillations of a two-link rod system on a plane in 1:2 resonance are investigated. ©2011     

A new solution of the equilibrium equations of a system of bodies with elastic joints

Different ways of representing the elastic moments are proposed, which can be used for the finite-dimensional modelling of rod systems using a system of n axisymmetric solids, connected by elastic spherical joints. Using the example of a closed plane rod, possible states of equilibrium of the finite-dimensional model of the rod are analysed for different methods of specifying the elastic torques at the joints. The case when the rod axis has the form of a “figure of eight”, which is modelled by a system of six axisymmetric solids with a relative torsion angle that depends on the bending, is investigated in detail.     

Computation of anisotropic plates with curvilinear holes reinforced by prestressed rods

We consider the stressed state of an anisotropic plate with an elliptic hole whose boundary is reinforced by a prestressed curvilinear rod of arbitrary cross section symmetric with respect to the middle plane of the plate. The elastic equilibrium of the rod is described by the equations of the theory of curvilinear rods. The solution of the problem is reduced to a system of linear algebraic equations. We show the influence of prestressing on the stressed states of the bodies.Translated fromMatematicheskie Metody i Fiziko-Mekhanicheskie Polya, Issue 36, 1992, pp. 76–80.     

The oscillations of a rod in an inhomogeneous elastic medium

The local length-dependence of the natural frequencies and forms of plane transverse oscillations of a thin inhomogeneous rod in an elastic medium with a variable stiffness and arbitrary elastic-fastening boundary conditions is investigated. It is established that the presence of an external elastic medium, described by the Winkler model, can lead to an anomalous effect – an increase in the natural frequencies of lower oscillation modes as the length of the rod increases continuously. The extremely fine properties of this change as a function of the length, the mode number and the method of fastening are revealed. The oscillations in the case of standard methods of fastening are investigated separately. Simple examples, which illustrate the anomalous dependence of the natural oscillation frequencies of the rod in an extremely inhomogeneous elastic medium with different boundary conditions are calculated.     

A qualitative analysis of the subharmonic oscillations of a parametrically excited flexible rod

A non-autonomous non-linear dynamical system with a small parameter that describes the parametric oscillations of a flexible rod with three static equilibrium positions is obtained. The generating equation of this model is a dynamical system in a plane with a separatrix loop. The qualitative analysis presented includes an investigation of the stability and bifurcation of subharmonic motions at resonance energy levels.     

Dynamical shape control and the stabilization of non-linear thin rods

In this paper we consider the problem of stabilizing the motion of the tip of a thin rod by controlling the shape of the rod, that is its length, dynamically. Well-posedness of the associated state equations, valid on a moving domain, is proved, and the necessary conditions of optimality for the control problem are derived. The theory applies to materials where the stress–strain relation is both non-linear and non monotone, so that hysteresis effects arising from solid–solid phase transitions in the rod are included.     

Study of motions of a vibrating string subject to solid friction

In this paper we consider a string moving in its plane and subject to solid friction (Coulomb's law). It is known that when the time increases indefinitely the string reaches an equilibrium position and by analogy with the case of a mass point we ask if the equilibrium is reached after a finite time. We prove that this is the case when the string is initially at rest and 1. when the initial shape possesses a second derivative bounded by certain limits, or 2. when the initial shape is formed by two straight line segments. In the last section we obtain some partial results when the string is initially at rest in the shape of a polygonal line. The case of an arbitrary initial position is still an open problem.     

Fiber architecture of the left ventricular wall: An asymptotic analysis

The goal of this paper is to derive the fiber architecture of the left ventricle from first principles. The principles used are (i) mechanical equilibrium, (ii) a stress tensor that is the sum of a hydrostatic pressure and a fiber stress, (iii) the assumption that fiber tubes have constant cross-sectional area along their length, (iv) axial symmetry, and (v) the approximation that the thickness of the ventricular wall is small in comparison with the other wall dimensions. From these hypotheses, it is deduced that the cardiac muscle fibers are approximate geodesics on a nested family of toroidal surfaces centered on a degenerate torus in the equatorial plane of the heart. (Exact geodesics are ruled out by the theory.) Formulae are derived for the fiber surfaces and the fiber-angle distribution through the wall, and a differential equation is derived for the shape of the middle surface of the left ventricle. The results are in substantial agreement with experimental observations.     

Dynamically equilibrium shapes and directions of motion of ocean current rings

The dynamically equilibrium shapes of a uniform-density rotating mass of liquid (a ring) in the surface layer of a quiescent stratified ocean are determined. The examination is carried out in a plane tangential to the Earth, taking into account the vertical and horizontal projections of the angular velocity of its rotation. Exact solutions of the equations of motion of an ideal incompressibe fluid are obtained, making it possible, for a linearly stratified ocean, to determine the dynamic all equilibrium shape of the interfaces of water masses and the free boundaries of cyclonic and antocyclonic rings. These shapes comprise second-order surfaces inclined to the water level in the meridian plane, the type of surfaces depending on the governing parameters of the problem. Expressions are obtained for the angles of inclination of the principal axes. For small deviations from equilibrium, due to a difference in the gravitational forces and Archimedes forces, motion of the ring occurs, governed by the inclination of the principal axes and the nature of change (increase or reduction) in the average density of the ring, determined by the ratio of the rates of diffusion of heat and salt. The displacement along the parallel comprises geostrophic motion, for the velocity of which an analytical expression is obtained. The displacement along the meridian comprises motion over an inclined plane. An analytical expression is given that relates the change in the depth of the centre of mass of the ring to the velocity of motion along the meridian through the angle of inclination of the principal axes of the ring. This explains the motion of both types of Gulf Stream ring to the south-west and of the Oyasio ring to the north-east.     

An analysis of laminar boundary layers on liquid curtains

A simplified analysis of the laminar boundary layer along an isothermal liquid curtain falling under gravity is presented. The analysis uses a von Kármán-Pohlhausen integral method and includes the effects of gravity, pressure differences, surface tension and nozzle exit geometry on the convergence length of liquid curtains which have applications as chemical reactors and as protection systems in laser fusion reactors. It is shown that the effects of the surrounding gases on the curtain shape and convergence length are small, and that good approximations to the liquid curtain shape can be obtained by using inviscid flow analyses.     

Einfluss eines Verbrennungsvorganges auf den Wärme- und Stoffaustausch in einer laminaren Grenzschicht

Summary The influence of combustion on heat and mass transfer is investigated on the following model. A mixture of an inert with a combustible gas (air) flows in steady, laminar flow over a flat plate. A mass flux of gaseous fuel away from the plate surface is produced by some means. Combustion is assumed to occur with very fast reaction rate so that the process is purely controlled by diffusion and the equilibrium is assumed as very close to complete combustion. It is studied under which conditions the combustion occurs at the surface or when the flame is displaced into the boundary layer. The influence of combustion on the heat transfer from a hot gas to the plate surface is calculated, for the condition that combustion occurs at the surface.      

Corrugation of a flexible ring under external hydrostatic compression

The initial non-linearly elastic stage of a change in the shape of thin flexible ring under an external hydrostatic pressure is described. At this stage, the formation of alternating bulges and hollows in the ring in a circular direction is due to the balance of non-linearity and dispersion effects. A model is proposed which enables the dependence of the curvature of the deformed ring on the external pressure to be obtained. The shape of the ring is established from the known curvature by methods of differential geometry. Possible types of corrugation of the initial circular ring are obtained. The change in the shape of the ring around a rigid rod, placed inside the ring, is described. The strict relation between the amplitude of the bulges and hollows in the circumferential direction of the ring also prevents the formation of rigid edges on its surface.     

An analytical formula for an elastic thin rod shape under composite loading

The Euler problem on the stability of a thin elastic rod under compressing forces is widely known. In a number of papers this problem is generalized to finding the shape of such a rod under the simultaneous action of a compressing force and a torsional moment. The shape is determined by solving a complex nonlinear boundary value problem by numerical methods. In this paper, an approach providing a full analytical solution of the problem for a broad range of external conditions is discussed. __________ Translated from Fundamentalnaya i Prikladnaya Matematika, Vol. 11, No. 7, pp. 35–42, 2005.     

Optimization of the contact pressure in the problem of the interaction of a punch and an elastic medium

The problem of optimizing the pressure distribution under a rigid punch, which interacts without friction with an elastic medium filling a half-space, is investigated. The shape of the punch is taken as the initial variable of the design, while the root mean square deviation of the pressure distribution, which occurs under the punch, from a certain specified distribution, plays the role of the minimized functional. The values of the total forces and moments, applied to the punch, are assumed to be given, which leads to limitations imposed on the pressure distribution by the equilibrium conditions. It is shown that the optimization problem allows of decomposition into two successively solvable problems. The first problem consists of finding the pressure distribution which makes the optimized quality functional a minimum. The second problem is reduced to the problem of obtaining directly the optimum shape of the punch that yields the pressure distribution found. The optimization problem is investigated analytically for punches of different shape in plan. The optimum shapes are given in explicit form for punches with rectangular bases.     

Nonlinear statics of extensible elastic belt on two pulleys

The drive belt set on two pulleys is considered as a plane elastic rod. The nonlinear theory of rods with tension is used. The static frictionless contact problem for the rod is formulated. The derived boundary value problem for the nonlinear ordinary differential equations is solved by the finite difference method and by the shooting method by means of computer mathematics. The belt shape and the stresses are determined. The contact reaction and the contact area are obtained in the solution. A benchmark study of extensible and inextensible models is performed. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Instability of solitary waves on Euler’s elastica

Stability of solitary waves in a thin inextensible and unshearable rod of infinite length is studied. Solitary-wave profile of the elastica of such a rod without torsion has the form of a planar loop and its speed depends on a tension in the rod. The linear instability of a solitary-wave profile subject to perturbations escaping from the plane of the loop is established for a certain range of solitary-wave speeds. It is done using the properties of the Evans function, an analytic function on the right complex half-plane, that has zeros if and only if there exist the unstable modes of the linearization around a solitary-wave solution. The result follows from comparison of the behaviour of the Evans function in some neighbourhood of the origin with its asymptotic at infinity. The explicit computation of the leading coefficient of the Taylor series of the Evans function near the origin is performed by means of the symbolic computer language. Received: April 6, 2004; revised: December 12, 2004     

A model of a reinforced tyre with a rod protector

A tyre design consisting of a steel-cord-reinforced rigid bond with sides connected to the wheel disc and a protector(tread) in contact with the road is examined. The tread is in the form of a set of rods connected by one end to the band, with the other end either free or in contact with the road. The rod end in contact with the road is acted upon by a force applied from the road, represented by a force normal to the road plane and a shear force due to dry friction. If the modulus of the shear force does not exceed the magnitude of the normal force multiplied by the dry friction coefficient, there is no slip at the contact point. In the opposite case, the rod end will be displaced along the road by an amount sufficient to distribute the normal and shear forces. The dynamics of longitudinal and transverse strains of the rods in contact with the road is analysed using the motion separation method in the quasi-static approximation. The behaviour of the tread rods as a function of the vertical displacement of the wheel centre is investigated, the contact area is found and the conditions are determined under which the contact area is divided into parts in which either slip of the rod ends occurs or does not occur, depending on the magnitude of the longitudinal displacement of the wheel centre or its turning relative to the horizontal axis. An analogue of a continuous model of a rod-like tread is considered, and the magnitudes of the forces and moments are found as a function of the wheel disc displacements. The equations of wheel rolling are obtained, and the conditions under which steady motions exist are found.     

Permanence and extinction in competitive Lotka–Volterra systems with delays

In this paper, a class of competitive Lotka–Volterra systems are considered that have distributed delays and constant coefficients on interaction terms and have time dependent growth rate vectors with an asymptotic average. Under the assumption that all proper subsystems are permanent, it is shown that the asymptotic behaviour of the system is determined by the relationship between an equilibrium and a nullcline plane of the corresponding autonomous system: if the equilibrium is below the plane then the system is permanent; if the equilibrium is above the plane then this species will go extinct in an exponential rate while the other species will survive. Similar asymptotic behaviour is also retained under an alternative assumption.