Coupled longitudinal-transverse dynamics of an axially accelerating beam

The coupled longitudinal-transverse nonlinear dynamics of an axially accelerating beam is numerically investigated: this problem is classified as a parametrically excited gyroscopic system. The axial speed is assumed to be comprised of a constant mean value along with harmonic fluctuations. Hamilton's principle is employed to derive the equations of motion of the system which are in the form of two coupled partial differential equations. The equations are discretized using the Galerkin method, which yields a set of coupled second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations with time-dependent coefficients. The sub-critical dynamics of the system is examined via the pseudo-arclength continuation technique, while the global dynamics is investigated using direct time integration. The mean axial speed and the amplitude of the speed variations are varied so as to construct the bifurcation diagrams of Poincare maps. The vibration specifications of the system are investigated more detailed via plotting time histories, phase-plane portraits, and fast Fourier transforms (FFTs). (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.