Optimal control of flow-induced vibration of pipeline (Q5959849)

The authors derive the state equations, combining known equations for the dynamic bending of pipes with the effect of axial flow of the fluid. The transverse action of the fluid due to bending of the pipe is combined with the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation. The authors assign identical boundary conditions to all pipe supports. The dimensionless equation so derived is: \[ \partial^2 y/\partial t^2+\beta u \partial^2y/\partial x^2+ (1-\beta)\partial^4 y/\partial x^4= 0,\quad 0< x< 1. \] The quantity \(u\) is proportional to the square of the velocity of the fluid, while \(\beta\) is equal to \(\mu/(\mu+ \rho)\), where \(\mu\) and \(\rho\) are respectively the mass per unit length of the fluid and of the pipe. The mode shape functions are solutions of the (linear) eigenvalue problem \(\partial^4\phi_i/\partial x^4= \lambda^4_i\phi_i\). These eigenfunctions, which are products of sines, cosines, and sine-hyperbolic, cosine-hyperbolic functions, are orthonormal. A numerical investigation attempts to define a region of vibrations which is a compromise between the safety of the pipeline and the capacity of flow in it. As expected, it is found that an increase in the fluid velocity, and therefore of \(u\), does reduce the stability of the system.