Uniform String Dynamics

To more easily understand a mathematical description of the mechanics associated with the structural dynamics of continuous elastic systems, the classical “vibrating – string problem” is first considered. Although the free-vibration of a string can be described by the linear second-order partial differential equation in one dimen­sion derived in Chapter 2 (see Eq. 2.26), it is typically descriptive of the more complex linearly elastic systems of aerospace vehicles. After the fundamental con­cepts are reviewed for the string, other components that are more representative of these vehicles are discussed. Although the free vibration of a string can be ana­lyzed using equations of motion of the same form as those governing uniform beam extensional and torsional vibrations, the string is chosen as our first example pri­marily because—in contrast to the behavior of the other structures—string behavior can be visualized easily. Moreover, typically by this time in their undergraduate studies, most students have had some exposure to the solution of string-vibration problems.