
Note that τ in the abscissa is the sum of the rise time and the decay time and is not
the total duration of the pulse. Attached to each spectrum is a set of values of τ
r
/T
where T is the natural period of the responding system.
When τ
r
/T = 1,2,3,...,the residual response amplitude is equal to that for the
case τ
r
= 0, and the spectrum starts at the origin. If τ
r
/T =
1
⁄2,
3
⁄2,
5
⁄2,...,the spectrum
has the maximum value 2.00 at τ/T = 0. The envelopes of the spectra are of the same
forms as the residual-response-amplitude spectra for the related step functions; see
the spectra for [(ν
M
/ξ
c
) − 1] in Fig. 8.13A. In certain cases, for example, at τ/T = 2, 4,
6,...,in Fig.8.20A, ν
R
/ξ
p
= 0 for all values of τ
r
/T.
Unsymmetrical Pulses. Pulses having only slight asymmetry may often be repre-
sented adequately by symmetrical forms. However, if there is considerable asymme-
try, resulting in appreciable steepening of either the rise or the decay, it is necessary
to introduce a parameter which defines the skewing of the pulse.
The ratio of the rise time to the pulse period is called the skewing constant, σ=
t
1
/τ. There are three special cases:
σ=0:The pulse has an instantaneous (vertical) rise, followed by a decay having the
duration τ.This case may be used as an elementary representation of a blast pulse.
σ=
1
⁄2: The pulse may be symmetrical.
σ=1: The pulse has an instantaneous decay, preceded by a rise having the dura-
tion τ.
Triangular Pulse Family. The effect of asymmetry in pulse shape is shown
readily by means of the family of triangular pulses (Fig. 8.21). Equations (8.40) give
the excitation and the time response.
Rise era: 0 ≤ t ≤ t
1
TRANSIENT RESPONSE TO STEP AND PULSE FUNCTIONS 8.33
FIGURE 8.21 General triangular pulse.
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