Computational and Applied Math Proseminar

Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Arizona State University

Thursday, March 21, 2002, 12:15 p.m. in GWC Room 604

B. Welfert

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

On the derivation and simulation of a model of double suspension roofs

Abstract This talk describes the work started as a class project in a differential equations course (MAT275) on the mathematical desciption and simulation of a model of double suspension roof presented in [1]. We review Lagrangian principles for deriving the equations of motion and make a clear algebraic connection with other principles, such as the Gibbs-Appell equations and Kane's approach, used in the mechanical engineering literature. In particular we give a corrected version of the system obtained in [1]. The static equilibria are numerically determined as a function of the load factor using a continuation procedure. The dynamic solution are obtained using a standard Matlab adaptive routine. Numerical results confirm the static equilibria obtained in [1] but give a somewhat different dynamic picture. This is joined work with R. Heap, S. Shephard, and J. Sherwood

[1] D. S. Sophianopoulos & G. T. Michaltsos, "Nonlinear stability of a simplified model for the simulation of double suspension roofs", Engineering Structures 23 (2001) 705-714.

For further information please contact: mittelmann@asu.edu