MA4704 Part I Assignment

Frequency and Mode Shape Using Ritz Method

Consider the bending vibration of a tapered wing with Youngs modulus
= 51011 N/m2, density 
=2000kg/m3 and length  = 6m. Cross sectional area  and second moment of area  are given as


 = 0.1 8    [m2]



 = 0.0001 5      [m2]



Two engines are installed at locations  = /5 and  = 3/5, respectively, with the mass of each engine
mE = 2000kg. The wing also contains a fuel tank of length  = 3/5 that spans from  = /5 and  =
4/5. The density of jet fuel is  = 800kg/m3 and the tank has a cross section  given as






  = 0.05 10          [m2]

Based on Ritz method and using
polynomial as basis functions, determine
the first 4 natural frequencies and the
associated mode shapes of the wing with a
full fuel tank.
Note: You need to determine first how
many terms need to be included in order to
obtain better than 1% accuracy. You can try
increasing values of n until the computed
value of 4th natural frequency virtually does
not change (converged results). The use of
numerical software is encouraged.
Further analysis
1. What are the assumptions for the assembly to only undergo pure bending vibration?
2. Plot the variation of fuel weight on the natural frequencies and comment on the observations.
3. If one of the engines is to be removed, which one should it be such that the bending
characteristic of the wing is little affected?

This CA constitutes 25% of the overall grade. Your submission should include key equations,
assembled matrices, results and plots. Workings can be included as an appendix.
In addition, please email any numerical code you have used to complete the submission. (Do not
print your code on paper)
Deadline: 3 Oct 2016 in class