Numerical integration using the Runge-Kutta method

Single Degree-of-Freedom Systems

Consider the general form of the equation of motion that is to be solved using the
Runge Kutta numerical technique:
mx cx kx F (t )

Runge-Kutta requires the DE to be in the form

X f ( X , t )

Re-arrange the equation of motion in this form. Start of by writing:

mx kx cx F (t )

Define a new vector variable X in terms of unknown physical displacement and

velocity:
x
X
x

x
X
x

Using an identity and the equation of motion to solve for acceleration

x x

it follows that

1
x 0
c
X k

m
m

k
c
F (t )
x x
m
m
m

x 0
F (t ) [ E ] X Q(t ) f ( X , t )
x
m

This equation can be integrated using MATLAB as is demonstrated in the Appendix.