Rotational elastic dynamics (Q1102784)

This paper proposes a mathematical theory of the rotational dynamics of complex mechanical systems, which contains articulated and/or elastic components. The equations of these dynamics are first obtained and then one derives some results related to Lagrangian mechanics with damping. As an illustrative example, a rotating rigid body with a beam attachement is studied. The asymptotic dynamics of a rotating elastic structure is considered and the last section illustrates bifurcation phenomena on the one hand, and the trend to the predetermined angular velocities in the simplest possible setting. Comments of the reviewer: it seems that the so-called Appell's principle could be of help in this problem.