Small vibrations superimposed on a prescribed rigid body motion (Q1610825)

The authors describe a method for the calculation of small elastic vibrations superimposed on the gross rigid body motion of multibody system. Periodic solutions as well as transient responses can be determined. Periodic solutions are determined with a harmonic balance method, and the transient solutions are constructed with the method of slowly varying coefficients and averaging. The stability of periodic solutions is discussed. The described method is illustrated by four examples: first, a pendulum with prescribed elliptic motion of its supporting point, which leads to a forced Mathieu equation; second, a slider-crank mechanism with flexible connecting rod; third, a rotor dynamic system with isotropic bearing; and fourth, the dynamic analysis of a flexible drive shaft connected by two universal joints.