Coursework 2013-14

MSc Computational Methods

AE4-403

Consider the bar with varying cross-section shown in Figure 1a. The bar has length L and cross-sectional area A(x) = A0 s1 x, where s1 is a constant. The bar is made of a functionally-graded material with Youngs modulus E (x) = E0 es2 x applied to the right end of the bar as shown in Figure 1a. The bar is idealised as a series of n massless springs and point masses as shown in Figure 1b. The stiness of each spring is ki = and each point mass is mi = A( xi )( xi ) where x i = L n A( xi )E ( xi ) L/n and density (x) = 0 es3 x , where s2 and s3 are constants. A harmonic load is

L i 1 . As n , the idealisation in Figure 1b tends to the 2 n original bar in Figure 1a. 1. Using Lagranges equations, obtain the equations of motion for n = 2, 3, 4, . Express these equations in matrix form and note that there is a clear pattern in the equations. Finally, write the equations of motion for a generic value of n. 2. Implement these equations in a suitable software package of your choice (Matlab is particularly convenient). For each value of n, obtain the magnitude of the displacement at the right end as a function of the frequency of the load. Plot these curves (corresponding to dierent values of n) in the same graph, and show that they converge as n increases. For this numerical part, use A0 = 2, 0 = 3, E0 = 4, L = 5, s1 = 0.1, s2 = 0.2, s3 = 0.3 and R0 = 6. The coursework should be submitted in blackboard by the required deadline (see student pack). The submission should consist of one single PDF le including (i) your calculations, detailed as if this were an exam, (ii) the graph requested, and (iii) your source code. Note: you are not requested to write a full report with introduction, theory, conclusions, etc. You will not be marked down if your le contains hand-made sketches or hand-written maths and text. However, make sure your calculations are clear and that your code is well commented. [80%] [20%]

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Coursework 2013-14

MSc Computational Methods

AE4-403

R = R0 cos t x L
(a) Bar with varying cross section

r1

r2

rn2

rn1

rn R = R0 cos t

k1

m1

k2

m2

(b) Idealised bar

mn2 kn1 mn1 kn mn

Figure 1: Representation of a bar with varying cross section as a series of springs and point masses

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