On the structural dynamics of a Vlasov beam

Abstract

A thin-walled beam (such as the hull of a ship) may be represented as a non-uniform Vlasov beam. Such a beam may execute coupled lateral bending and twisting vibration, the nature of which is examined. Orthogonality relations are derived for a uniform Vlasov beam, which are easily adapted to a non-uniform beam that is treated as piecewise uniform. Hence a linear theory of forced vibration is developed in a form that is readily adapted to the dynamics of a ship in a seaway.