Abstract
This paper revisits the fundamental structural dynamic systems with regard to the effect of gravity, and thus self-weight, on their dynamic characteristics and response. Far from being a purely theoretical exercise, as would have been the case in the past, this study is a first step in structural dynamics inspired by—and anticipating—the potential of building under extraterrestrial conditions. More specifically, five basic structural models are considered: (a) the simple pendulum (SP), (b) the rigid inverted pendulum (RIP), (c) the flexural inverted pendulum (FIP), (d) the rigid rocking block (RRB), and (e) the flexural rocking block (FRB). The focus is to identify patterns and regions where low gravity can have a beneficial or detrimental role on the structural response. The paper initially presents the effect of low gravity on the dynamic characteristics of each system and then proceeds with highlighting their self-similar response, along with the differences in response due to low gravity. It is proved that low gravity is detrimental for the SP, while it is beneficial for the RIP and FIP models. Nevertheless, the effect can be both beneficial and detrimental for the RRB and FRB, depending on their parameters as revealed from this investigation. Finally, the main dynamic characteristics of the five cases studied, factorized by the gravitational multiplier (alpha ), are quantified and summarized in the form of a representative table.
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundIn an effort to simulate the behavior of different types of structures under dynamic excitations, many studies in the past have developed different fundamental structural dynamic models
This paper focuses on the clear distinction between the aforementioned models and elucidate their dynamic responses’ differences when moving from positive to negative stiffness systems
The objective of this study is to investigate the role of weight on the dynamic characteristics and on the response of the different fundamental structural dynamic systems pertaining to civil engineering structures; fundamental dynamic systems exhibiting chaotic behavior that can be of interest from a mechanical engineering perspective are not included in this study
Summary
In an effort to simulate the behavior of different types of structures under dynamic excitations, many studies in the past have developed different fundamental structural dynamic models. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of weight on the dynamic characteristics and on the response of the different fundamental structural dynamic systems pertaining to civil engineering structures; fundamental dynamic systems exhibiting chaotic behavior (such as the Duffing oscillator) that can be of interest from a mechanical engineering perspective are not included in this study The motivation behind this objective is not merely academic but stems mostly from the enormous streamline of investments from various industrial firms and federal agencies (NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, Virgin Galactic, ESA, etc.) to expand civil engineering in extraterrestrial conditions, be it for the development of Lunar and Martian outposts or for Space tourism. The parameterization used is designed to reveal any self-similar response and to identify critical combinations of parameters where low gravity becomes dominant (beneficially or detrimentally) for structural behavior
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