0000000000039747
AUTHOR
Pol D. Spanos
Analysis of multi degree of freedom systems with fractional derivative elements of rational order
In this paper a novel method based on complex eigenanalysis in the state variables domain is proposed to uncouple the set of rational order fractional differential equations governing the dynamics of multi-degree-of-freedom system. The traditional complex eigenanalysis is appropriately modified to be applicable to the coupled fractional differential equations. This is done by expanding the dimension of the problem and solving the system in the state variable domain. Examples of applications are given pertaining to multi-degree-of-freedom systems under both deterministic and stochastic loads.
Analysis of block random rocking on nonlinear flexible foundation
Abstract In this paper the rocking response of a rigid block randomly excited at its foundation is examined. A nonlinear flexible foundation model is considered accounting for the possibility of uplifting in the case of strong excitation. Specifically, based on an appropriate nonlinear impact force model, the foundation is treated as a bed of continuously distributed springs in parallel with nonlinear dampers. The statistics of the rocking response is examined by an analytical procedure which involves a combination of static condensation and stochastic linearization methods. In this manner, repeated numerical integration of the highly nonlinear differential equations of motion is circumvent…
Steady-state dynamic response of various hysteretic systems endowed with fractional derivative elements
In this paper, the steady-state dynamic response of hysteretic oscillators comprising fractional derivative elements and subjected to harmonic excitation is examined. Notably, this problem may arise in several circumstances, as for instance, when structures which inherently exhibit hysteretic behavior are supplemented with dampers or isolators often modeled by employing fractional terms. The amplitude of the steady-state response is determined analytically by using an equivalent linearization approach. The procedure yields an equivalent linear system with stiffness and damping coefficients which are related to the amplitude of the response, but also, to the order of the fractional derivativ…
An Efficient Wiener Path Integral Technique Formulation for Stochastic Response Determination of Nonlinear MDOF Systems
The recently developed approximate Wiener path integral (WPI) technique for determining the stochastic response of nonlinear/hysteretic multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems has proven to be reliable and significantly more efficient than a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) treatment of the problem for low-dimensional systems. Nevertheless, the standard implementation of the WPI technique can be computationally cumbersome for relatively high-dimensional MDOF systems. In this paper, a novel WPI technique formulation/implementation is developed by combining the “localization” capabilities of the WPI solution framework with an appropriately chosen expansion for approximating the system response PDF…
Rocking of rigid block on nonlinear flexible foundation
Abstract The two prime models used currently to describe rocking of rigid bodies, the Housner’s model and the Winkler foundation model, can capture some of the salient features of the physics of this important problem. These two models involve either null or linear interaction between the block and the foundation. Hopefully, some additional aspects of the problem can be captured by an enhanced nonlinear model for the base-foundation interaction. In this regard, what it is adopted in this paper is the Hunt and Crossley’s nonlinear impact force model in which the impact/contact force is represented by springs in parallel with nonlinear dampers. In this regard, a proper mathematical formulatio…
Stochastic response determination of nonlinear oscillators with fractional derivatives elements via the Wiener path integral
A novel approximate analytical technique for determining the non-stationary response probability density function (PDF) of randomly excited linear and nonlinear oscillators endowed with fractional derivatives elements is developed. Specifically, the concept of the Wiener path integral in conjunction with a variational formulation is utilized to derive an approximate closed form solution for the system response non-stationary PDF. Notably, the determination of the non-stationary response PDF is accomplished without the need to advance the solution in short time steps as it is required by the existing alternative numerical path integral solution schemes which rely on a discrete version of the…
Stochastic analysis of motorcycle dynamics
Off-road and racing motorcycles require a particular setup of the suspensions to improve the comfort and the safety of the rider, maintaining a continuous contact between the road and the motorcycle (by means of the tires). Further, because of the ground roughness, in the case of offroad motorcycle, suspensions usually experience extreme and erratic excursions (suspension stroke) in performing their function. In this regard, the adoption of nonlinear devices can, perhaps, limit both the acceleration experienced by the sprung mass and the excursions of the suspensions. This leads to the consideration of asymmetric nonlinearly-behaving suspensions. This option, however, induces the difficulty…
Approximate survival probability determination of hysteretic systems with fractional derivative elements
Abstract A Galerkin scheme-based approach is developed for determining the survival probability and first-passage probability of a randomly excited hysteretic systems endowed with fractional derivative elements. Specifically, by employing a combination of statistical linearization and of stochastic averaging, the amplitude of the system response is modeled as one-dimensional Markovian Process. In this manner the corresponding backward Kolmogorov equation which governs the evolution of the survival probability of the system is determined. An approximate solution of this equation is sought by employing a Galerkin scheme in which a convenient set of confluent hypergeometric functions is used a…
A Wiener Path Integral Technique for Non-Stationary Response Determination of Nonlinear Oscillators with Fractional Derivative Elements
In this paper a novel approximate analytical technique for determining the non-stationary response probability density function (PDF) of randomly excited linear and nonlinear oscillators with fractional derivative elements is developed. Specifically, the concept of the Wiener path integral in conjunction with a variational formulation is utilized to derive an approximate closed form solution for the system response non-stationary PDF. Notably, the determination of the non-stationary response PDF is accomplished without the need to advance the solution in short time steps as it is required by the existing alternative numerical path integral solution schemes. In this manner, the analytical Wi…
Nonlinear rocking of rigid blocks on flexible foundation: Analysis and experiments
Abstract Primarily, two models are commonly used to describe rocking of rigid bodies; the Housner model, and the Winkler foundation model. The first deals with the motion of a rigid block rocking about its base corners on a rigid foundation. The second deals with the motion of a rigid block rocking and bouncing on a flexible foundation of distributed linear springs and dashpots (Winkler foundation). These models are two-dimensional and can capture some of the features of the physics of the problem. Clearly, there are additional aspects of the problem which may be captured by an enhanced nonlinear model for the base-foundation interaction. In this regard, what it is adopted in this paper is …
Response Power Spectrum of Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Nonlinear Systems by a Galerkin Technique
This paper deals with the estimation of spectral properties of randomly excited multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) nonlinear vibrating systems. Each component of the vector of the stationary system response is expanded into a trigonometric Fourier series over an adequately long interval T. The unknown Fourier coefficients of individual samples of the response process are treated by harmonic balance, which leads to a set of nonlinear equations that are solved by Newton’s method. For polynomial nonlinearities of cubic order, exact solutions are developed to compute the Fourier coefficients of the nonlinear terms, including those involved in the Jacobian matrix associated with the implementation o…
Spectral Approach to Equivalent Statistical Quadratization and Cubicization Methods for Nonlinear Oscillators
Random vibrations of nonlinear systems subjected to Gaussian input are investigated by a technique based on statistical quadratization, and cubicization. In this context, and depending on the nature of the given nonlinearity, statistics of the stationary response are obtained via an equivalent system with a polynomial nonlinearity of either quadratic or cubic order, which can be solved by the Volterra series method. The Volterra series response is expanded in a trigonometric Fourier series over an adequately long interval T, and exact expressions are derived for the Fourier coefficients of the second- and third-order response in terms of the Fourier coefficients of the first-order, Gaussian…
Nonstationary response envelope probability densities of nonlinear oscillators
The nonstationary random response of a class of lightly damped nonlinear oscillators subjected to Gaussian white noise is considered. An approximate analytical method for determining the response envelope statistics is presented. Within the framework of stochastic averaging, the procedure relies on the Markovian modeling of the response envelope process through the definition of an equivalent linear system with response-dependent parameters. An approximate solution of the associated Fokker-Planck equation is derived by resorting to a Galerkin scheme. Specifically, the nonstationary probability density function of the response envelope is expressed as the sum of a time-dependent Rayleigh dis…
Stochastic response of MDOF wind-excited structures by means of Volterra series approach
Abstract The role played by the quadratic term of the forcing function in the response statistics of multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) wind-excited linear-elastic structures is investigated. This is accomplished by modeling the structural response as a Volterra series up to the second order and neglecting the wind-structure interaction. In order to reduce the computational effort due to the calculation of a large number of multiple integrals, required by the used approach, a recent model of the wind stochastic field is adopted.
Galerkin Scheme-Based Determination of Survival Probability of Oscillators With Fractional Derivative Elements
In this paper, an approximate semi-analytical approach is developed for determining the first-passage probability of randomly excited linear and lightly nonlinear oscillators endowed with fractional derivative elements. The amplitude of the system response is modeled as one-dimensional Markovian process by employing a combination of the stochastic averaging and the statistical linearization techniques. This leads to a backward Kolmogorov equation which governs the evolution of the survival probability of the oscillator. Next, an approximate solution of this equation is sought by resorting to a Galerkin scheme. Specifically, a convenient set of confluent hypergeometric functions, related to …