Hamiltonian dynamic analysis of an axially translating beam featuring time-variant velocity (Q836241)

The objective of the present paper is to derive the governing partial differential equations of motion for an axially translating cantilever beam, simulating a spacecraft antenna with changing length at a time-variant velocity. Amoring boundary value problem as the spatial domain of the dynamics system changes with time, is considered. The assumed modes method and the reparation of variables are utilized to solve the resulting equation of motion. Attention is focused on assessing the coupling effects between the axial translation motion and the flexural deformation during the beam extension or retraction operators upon the vibratory motion of a beam with an arbitrarily varying length under a prescribed time-variant velocity field. A number of numerical simulations are also presented to illustrate the qualitative features of the underlying mechanical vibration of an axially extending or contracting flexible beam. Numerical results are consistent with those obtained from the finite element method.