EI menrere GENVALUE AND NDENT PROBLEMS a 6.1 EIGENVALUE PROBLEMS 6.11 Introduction ‘An eigenvalue problem is defined to be one in w such that the equation i in which we seek the values of the parameter 2 Aw) =2B() — is satisfied for nontrivial values of u. Here A « and B denote either matrix tétfeential operators, and values of forwhichg.(6..i)iseatsdedacealodoremotuen For bh vue of tee tn vebonnu cle atelgosecde Ge aigemental Poscocp, fins ation igenfnction. For example, @u “dx & ae ‘which arises in connection with natural axial vibrations of a bar or the transverse vibration of a cable, constitutes an eigenvalue problem. Here 2. denotes the square ofthe frequency of vibration, Tn general, the determination ofthe eigenvalues is of engineering as well as mathemat- ical importance. In structural problems, the eigenvalues denote cither natural frequencies ‘or buckling loads. In fluid mechanics and heat transfer, eigenvalue problems arise in con- nection with the determination of the homogeneous parts of the transient solution, as will be shown shortly. In these cases, eigenvalues often denote amplitudes of the Fourier com- ponents making up the solution. Eigenvalues are also useful in determining the stability characteristics of temporal schemes, as discussed in Section 6.2. Tn this section, we develop finite element models of eigenvalue problems described by differential equations. In view of the close similarity between the differential equations governing eigenvalue and boundary value problems, the steps involved in the conection or their finite element models are entirely analogous. Differential eigenvalue problems are reduced to algebraic eigenvalue problems (i.e. [AI[X) = ALBILX)) by means of the finite Clement approximation. The methods of solution of algebraic eigenvalue problems are then used to solve for the eigenvalues and eigenvectors u(x),