Aerodynamic Self Excitation of a Taut Elastic Ribbon

ORAL

Abstract

The investigators analyzed, both theoretically and experimentally, the motion of a taut ribbon of elastic material in an air stream to show that the resulting standing-wave motion is a manifestation of self excitation. Self excitation is a phenomenon in which the oscillatory motion of the object extracts energy from a steady energy source. Such a ribbon simulates the motion of the human vocal folds as well as that of unstable bridge ``galloping,'' such as is famously exemplified in the Tacoma Narrows bridge collapse. The phenomenon discussed in this talk is also relevant to aerodynamic flutter and the ``quaking'' of leaves of trees in the breeze. Chief among the findings of this work is the origin of inharmonic modes of oscillation of a self excited ribbon.

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Authors

  • Sam Matteson

    University of North Texas

  • Allan Headley

    Texas A\&M, Sam Houston State University, Southern Methodist University, Dept of Physics, Texas Tech University, Depts of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University HSC, Texas Tech University, Lee College, Texas A\&M University, Texas A\&M Univ.-Commerce, University of North Texas, Texas A\&M University and Princeton University, Princeton University, The University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, UT Arlington, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University--Commerce, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Marion University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas State University--San Marcos, UTSA, Northwestern University, Rice University, Abilene Christian University, Texas Southern University, Department of Physics, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas A\&M University Cyclotron Institute, Sciprint.org, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas at San Antonio, Paschal High School, Fort Worth, TX, Department d'Enginyeria Electronica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Department of Physics, Texas State University at San Marcos, Texas State University at San Marcos, Angelo State University, Texas State University-San Marcos, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Physics, Viginia State University, Jefferson Laboratory, Trinity University, LIGO, UTB-TSC, Mount Holyoke College, Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, TAMU, American Institute of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, Paine College, Augusta, GA, Univ. of Edinburgh, INFN-LNS, INFN LNS CATANIA ITALY, Arkansas Technical University, AR, USA, Cyclotron Institute Texas A\&M University College Station Usa, and Heather Galloway, Texas State University--San Marcos