Theory and Analysis of Structures 47-167
If the system is started at rest, the equation of motion is
(47.382)
If the system is undamped, then x = 0 and w
d
= w; we have
(47.383)
The maximum displacement is 2(P
o
/k), corresponding to cos w
d
t = –1. Since P
o
/k is the maximum static
displacement, the dynamic amplification factor is 2. The presence of damping would naturally reduce
the dynamic amplification factor and the force in the system.
Response to Time-Varying Loads
Some forces and ground motions that are encountered in practice are rather complex in nature. In
general, numerical analysis is required to predict the response of such effects, and the finite element
method is one of the most common techniques to be employed in solving such problems.
The evaluation of responses due to time-varying loads can be carried out using the piecewise exact
method. In using this method, the loading history is divided into small time intervals. Between these
points, it is assumed that the slope of the load curve remains constant. The entire load history is
represented by a piecewise linear curve, and the error of this approach can be minimized by reducing
the length of the time steps. A description of this procedure is given in Clough and Penzien (1993).
Other techniques employed include Fourier analysis of the forcing function, followed by solution for
Fourier components in the frequency domain. For random forces, the random vibration theory and
spectrum analysis may be used (Dowrick, 1988; Warburton, 1976).
Multiple Degree Systems
In multiple degree systems, an independent differential equation of motion can be written for each degree
of freedom. The nodal equations of a multiple degree system consisting of n degrees of freedom may be
written as
(47.384)
where [m] = a symmetrical n x n matrix of mass
[c] = a symmetrical n x n matrix of damping coefficient
{F(t)} = the force vector, which is zero in the case of free vibration
Consider a system under free vibration without damping; the general solution of Eq. (47.384) is
assumed in the form of
(47.385)
where angular frequency w and phase angle f are common to all x’s. In this assumed solution, f and C
1
,
C
2
, … C
n
are the constants to be determined from the initial boundary conditions of the motion, and
w is a characteristic value (eigenvalue) of the system.
x
P
k
tt t
o
d
d
d
=--
()
+
Ï
Ì
Ó
¸
˝
˛
È
Î
Í
Í
˘
˚
˙
˙
1 exp cos sinxw w
xw
w
w
x
P
k
t
o
d
=-
[]
1 cosw
mx cx kx Ft
[]
{}
+
[]
{}
+
[]
{}
=
()
{}
˙˙ ˙
x
x
x
t
t
t
C
C
C
n n
1
2
1
2
000
000
000
M
MMMM
M
Ï
Ì
Ô
Ô
Ó
Ô
Ô
¸
˝
Ô
Ô
˛
Ô
Ô
=
-
()
-
()
-
()
È
Î
Í
Í
Í
Í
Í
˘
˚
˙
˙
˙
˙
˙
Ï
Ì
Ô
Ô
Ó
Ô
Ô
¸
˝
Ô
Ô
˛
Ô
Ô
cos
cos
cos
wf
wf
wf