Investigation of a spatial double pendulum: an engineering approach

Abstract

The behavior of a spatial double pendulum (SDP), comprising two pendulums that swing in different planes, was investigated. Movement equations (i.e., mathematical model) were derived for this SDP, and oscillations of the system were computed and compared with experimental results. Matlab computer programs were used for solving the nonlinear differential equations by the Runge-Kutta method. Fourier transformation was used to obtain the frequency spectra for analyses of the oscillations of the two pendulums. Solutions for free oscillations of the pendulums and graphic descriptions of changes in the frequency spectra were used for the dynamic investigation of the pendulums for different initial conditions of motion. The value of the friction constant was estimated experimentally and incorporated into the equations of motion of the pendulums. This step facilitated the comparison between the computed and measured oscillations.