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Inferring unstable equilibrium configurations from experimental data

Publication ,  Conference
Virgin, LN; Wiebe, R; Spottswood, SM; Beberniss, T
Published in: Journal of Physics: Conference Series
October 3, 2016

This research considers the structural behavior of slender, mechanically buckled beams and panels of the type commonly found in aerospace structures. The specimens were deflected and then clamped in a rigid frame in order to exhibit snap-through. That is, the initial equilibrium and the buckled (snapped-through) equilibrium configurations both co-existed for the given clamped conditions. In order to transit between these two stable equilibrium configurations (for example, under the action of an externally applied load), it is necessary for the structural component to pass through an intermediate unstable equilibrium configuration. A sequence of sudden impacts was imparted to the system, of various strengths and at various locations. The goal of this impact force was to induce relatively intermediate-sized transients that effectively slowed-down in the vicinity of the unstable equilibrium configuration. Thus, monitoring the velocity of the motion, and specifically its slowing down, should give an indication of the presence of an equilibrium configuration, even though it is unstable and not amenable to direct experimental observation. A digital image correlation (DIC) system was used in conjunction with an instrumented impact hammer to track trajectories and statistical methods used to infer the presence of unstable equilibria in both a beam and a panel.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Physics: Conference Series

DOI

EISSN

1742-6596

ISSN

1742-6588

Publication Date

October 3, 2016

Volume

744

Issue

1

Related Subject Headings

  • 51 Physical sciences
  • 0299 Other Physical Sciences
  • 0204 Condensed Matter Physics
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
 

Citation

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Virgin, L. N., Wiebe, R., Spottswood, S. M., & Beberniss, T. (2016). Inferring unstable equilibrium configurations from experimental data. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 744). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/744/1/012090
Virgin, L. N., R. Wiebe, S. M. Spottswood, and T. Beberniss. “Inferring unstable equilibrium configurations from experimental data.” In Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Vol. 744, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/744/1/012090.
Virgin LN, Wiebe R, Spottswood SM, Beberniss T. Inferring unstable equilibrium configurations from experimental data. In: Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2016.
Virgin, L. N., et al. “Inferring unstable equilibrium configurations from experimental data.” Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 744, no. 1, 2016. Scopus, doi:10.1088/1742-6596/744/1/012090.
Virgin LN, Wiebe R, Spottswood SM, Beberniss T. Inferring unstable equilibrium configurations from experimental data. Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2016.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Physics: Conference Series

DOI

EISSN

1742-6596

ISSN

1742-6588

Publication Date

October 3, 2016

Volume

744

Issue

1

Related Subject Headings

  • 51 Physical sciences
  • 0299 Other Physical Sciences
  • 0204 Condensed Matter Physics
  • 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics