Articulated Models of Cantilevers Conveying Fluid: The Study of a Paradox

Abstract

A general theory is presented for the dynamics of nth-degree-of-freedom articulated (lumped flexibility) models of cantilevers conveying fluid, of which the two-degree-of-freedom model of a column subjected to follower forces (first investigated by Ziegler) is a particular case. The ability of the articulated system to predict the dynamical behaviour of the continuous system modelled is investigated, and in particular the paradox that, whereas the continuous system is subject to only oscillatory instability (at sufficiently high flow), the model is generally subject to both oscillatory and buckling instabilities, and sometimes only to the latter. Complex frequency calculations show that buckling is associated with the higher modes of the articulated system, which, irrespective of the number of degrees of freedom, do not model well the corresponding modes of the continuous system. The critical flow velocities for buckling and oscillatory instabilities are calculated extensively, the latter showing good convergence to the corresponding values of the continuous system. The theory is supported by a set of experiments. Agreement between theory and experiment is satisfactorily good.