Solving 1d Helmholtz with boundary conditions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the one-dimensional Helmholtz equation related to the forced longitudinal vibration of a rod. Participants explore the implications of boundary conditions on the solution and the desire to eliminate time dependence from the resulting expression.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario involving a rod fixed at one end and excited at the other by a harmonic force, leading to a Helmholtz equation.
  • Another participant questions the desire to remove time dependence from a solution that inherently involves harmonic excitation.
  • A different participant presents a general solution involving complex exponentials and expresses confusion about retaining time dependence after applying boundary conditions.
  • One participant suggests that the amplitude of the bar can be obtained by assuming a maximum value for the cosine function, indicating a potential misunderstanding of frequency dependence.
  • A later reply clarifies the approach to finding coefficients for the general solution by applying boundary conditions, ultimately leading to a solution that still includes time dependence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the treatment of time dependence in the solution. There is no consensus on how to effectively eliminate time dependence while addressing the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific boundary conditions and the mathematical steps involved in deriving the solution, but the discussion does not resolve the underlying confusion about the relationship between time dependence and frequency in the context of the problem.

ptptaylor
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Hello all,
This is to do with forced longitudinal vibration of a rod (bar).
It's basically a problem to do with the linearised plane wave equation (1d).

The rod is fixed firmly at one end, and excited at the other by a harmonic force.

The wave equation (with constant rho/E instead of 1/c^2) is reduced to the helmholtz equation, which is fine. But the boundary conditions which exist (in this example) are at x=0, u=0 (u=displacement) and at x=L, (AE)*du(x,t)/dx=Fcos(wt)

This leads to the solution of the plane wave equation which is:
u(x,t)=Fsin(ax)cos(wt)/(AEcos(aL))
anyway, there is a time dependence there which I'm not really wanting.
How do I remove this? Basically, i don't know if you noticed but I am lost!

At the end of it all I'm looking for the point mobility.
 
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Sorry, but I think I don't understand your meaning... you excite the end with an harmonic force, and you don't want the solution to depend on time?...
Making some guessing, you say you get to a hemholtz equation. That amounts to assume your solution goes as [tex]u(x,t)=cos(\omega t)u(x)[/tex], and then, you can factor out the time dependency, both in the equation and in the boundary condition (AE u'(x)=F). The resulting system gives you u(x), with no time factor
 
Ok I can probably make a bit more sense now hopefully...
I have the general solution u(x,t)= Aexp(j(wt-kx))+Bexp(j(wt+kx))
I can find the coefficients A and B of this equation by using the boundary conditions present, this is all fine.
However, when the coefficients are put back in I am still left with wt. I know it's a stupid question but I'm having a prolonged mental block on what to do next!
I just want it to depend on frequency, so what do I have to do to get this?
 
The bar is vibrating, with a cos(wt) time dependence. It sounds like you want the "amplitude" of the bar, which is obtained by saying cos(wt)=1 in your expression.
It's not clear to me, from your expression, if there is a frequency dependence there.
 
Ok, I finally found out where I was going wrong. In case anyone finds the information useful,
You assume a solution of:
U(x,t)=A*exp(jkx) +B*exp(-jkx)
Then substitute in the boundary conditions ie at x=l, u(x)=0 since it is fixed at one end.
The other boundary condition is at x=0, -F=EA*(partial(du/dx)).
Differentiate u with respect to x, and let x=0.
Doing this gets the values of A and B and the solution.
 

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