Flexural-Torsional Buckling of Misaligned Axially Moving Beams: Vibration and Stability Analysis

This paper addresses the stability and vibration characteristics of three-dimensional steady motions (equilibrium configurations) of translating beams undergoing boundary misalignment. System modeling and equilibrium solutions for bending in two planes, torsion, and extension were presented in a previous work [1]. Stability is determined by linearizing the equations of motion about a steady motion and calculating the eigenvalues using a finite-difference discretization. For the case of no misalignment, the calculated eigenvalues are compared to known values. When the beam is misaligned, the system initially enters a planar configuration and the results indicate that the planar equilibria lose stability after the first bifurcation point. Eigenvalue behavior of the planar equilibria after the first bifurcation point is shown to be strongly influenced by translation speed. Eigenvalue behavior about non-planar equilibria and vibration modes about selected equilibria are also presented.