Wave Propagation in Solids (HS 2015) 151-0525-00L

Assignment 1: Wave Propagation in 1-D systems and Integral Transform

Due on Friday, 16/10/2015 at 5:00pm in CLA J15.1

Note: Please show all the details of your calculations for every problem.

Problem 1 (15 points) Wave propagation in a helical spring

Consider a helical spring (e.g., a slinky) with spring constant 𝑘, length 𝐿, and mass 𝑚 , as shown in the
figure below.

𝜕𝑆 ∂2 𝑆(𝑥,𝑡) 1 ∂2 𝑆(𝑥,𝑡)
a) If the tension at a point 𝑥 is given by 𝑇(𝑥) = 𝑘𝐿 𝜕𝑥 , derive the wave equation = 𝑐2
𝜕𝑥 2 0 𝜕𝑡 2
and find the expression for 𝑐0 . Note that 𝑆(𝑥, 𝑡) is the displacement at a point 𝑥. (5 pts)

b) Consider the situation in which an object with mass 𝑀 is attached on one end of the spring, while
the other end of the spring is fixed. For this case, the boundary conditions are given by:

𝑆(0, 𝑡) = 0, 𝑀𝑆̈(𝐿, 𝑡) = −𝑘𝐿𝑆′(𝐿)

Show that the eigenfrequencies of this system can be obtained from:

𝑚 𝑚𝑘 1
𝑡𝑎𝑛 (√ 𝜔) = √ 2
𝑘 𝑀 𝜔

𝑚
c) Calculate the value of the eigenfrequencies for different mass ratios = 0, 0.5, 1, 2, ∞ (10 pts)
𝑀
Wave Propagation in Solids (HS 2015) 151-0525-00L

Assignment 1: Wave Propagation in 1-D systems and Integral Transform

Due on Friday, 16/10/2015 at 5:00pm in CLA J15.1

Problem 2 (10 points) Wave propagation in a string: D’Alembert solution

Consider an infinite, taut string subjected to the following initial conditions:

𝑈0
𝑥 + 𝑈0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 (−𝑎 < 𝑥 < 0)
𝑎
𝑦(𝑥, 0) = 𝑈0
− 𝑥 + 𝑈0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 (0 < 𝑥 < 𝑎)
𝑎
{ 0 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒
𝑎 a 3𝑎
a) Obtain the D’Alembert solution and plot the displacement 𝑦(𝑥, 𝑡) at times 𝑡 = 0, , , . Here,
2𝑐0 𝑐0 2𝑐0
𝑐0 is the wave velocity. (7 pts)

b) Draw the characteristic lines of the propagating wave in the 𝑥, 𝑡- plane. (3 pts)

Problem 3 (25 points) Vibration of a finite string

Consider a finite string of length 𝐿 and mass per unit length 𝜌, which is subjected to a tension 𝑇 and fixed
at its ends, 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 𝐿. The initial displacement and velocity conditions for this system are given by

𝑦(𝑥, 0) = 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑦̇ (𝑥, 0) = 𝑔(𝑥)

Write down the wave equation and solve the following problems:

a) Write explicitly the boundary conditions (2 pts)

b) By applying boundary and initial conditions, show that the solution of the wave equation y(x,t) is:
∞
𝑛𝜋
𝑦(𝑥, 𝑡) = ∑(𝐴𝑛 cos 𝜔𝑛 𝑡 + 𝐵𝑛 sin 𝜔𝑛 𝑡) sin 𝑥
𝐿
𝑛=1

Here, 𝜔𝑛 is nth eigenfrequency of the system, where n is an integer. Also, find the expression for 𝐴𝑛
and 𝐵𝑛 using finite Fourier transforms. (8 pts)
c) How does the nth eigenfrequency depend on the length, mass per unit length, and tension of the
string? Can you explain the fundamental principles for tuning a violin or a guitar, making
considerations on the parameters in the expression of the eigenfrequency? (5 pts)
d) Draw the shape of the first four eigenmodes (or normal modes) of the string and write the
corresponding eigenfrequencies. (5 pts)
e) Show that the solution y(x,t) can be derived using the D’Alembert approach, when the initial
velocity 𝑔(𝑥) is zero. The solution can be represented by
1
𝑦(𝑥, 𝑡) = [ℎ(𝑥 − 𝑐0 𝑡) + ℎ(𝑥 + 𝑐0 𝑡)]
2

You should also find the expression of ℎ(𝑥). (5 pts)

Wave Propagation in Solids (HS 2015) 151-0525-00L

Assignment 1: Wave Propagation in 1-D systems and Integral Transform

Due on Friday, 16/10/2015 at 5:00pm in CLA J15.1

Problem 4 (10 points) Experiments with waves

An engineer has performed two experiments to characterize a homogeneous, isotropic, and linear-elastic
material exciting the materials with two transducers: one for longitudinal and one for torsional waves. Both

transducers are able to send waves and measure reflected waves. Based on the experimental data shown in
the figure below, calculate the Young’s modus 𝐸, shear modulus 𝐺, and poisson ratio ν of the material.
The mass of this material is 2 kg.

Problem 5 (20 points) Solution of PDEs by integral transforms

Consider a semi-infinite rod of Young’s modulus 𝐸 and density 𝜌 which is subjected to zero initial
displacement and velocity conditions. If the following boundary excitations are given, find the displacement
response 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑡), the particle velocity 𝑣(𝑥, 𝑡), the stress 𝜎(𝑥, 𝑡), and the strain 𝜀(𝑥, 𝑡).

sin 𝑡 𝑖𝑓 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 2𝜋
a) 𝑢(0, 𝑡) = { (10 pts)
0

b) 𝑢(0, 𝑡) = 𝐻 (𝑡)𝑡𝑒 −𝑡 , 𝐻 (𝑡) is a step function. (10 pts)

Hint: lim𝑥→∞ 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑡) = 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡 ≥ 0