Two nonlinear models of a transversely vibrating string

Modeling transverse vibration of nonlinear strings is investigated via numerical solutions of partial-differential equations and an integro-partial-differential equation. By averaging the tension along the deflected string, the classic nonlinear model of a transversely vibrating string, Kirchhoff’s equation, is derived from another nonlinear model, a partial-differential equation. The partial-differential equation is obtained via neglecting longitudinal terms in a governing equation for coupled planar vibration. The finite difference schemes are developed to solve numerically those equations. An index is proposed to compare the transverse responses calculated from the two models with the transverse component calculated from the coupled equation. A steel string and a rubber string are treated as examples to demonstrate the differences between the two models of transverse vibration and their deviation from the full model of coupled vibration. The numerical results indicate that the differences increase with the amplitude of vibration. Both models yield satisfactory results of almost the same precision for vibration of small amplitudes. For large amplitudes, the Kirchhoff equation gives better results.