Numerical algorithms for undamped gyroscopic systems

Abstract

The solutions of a gyroscopic vibrating system oscillating about an equilibrium position, with no external applied forces and no damping forces, are completely determined by the quadratic eigenvalue problem (-lambda(i)(2)M + lambda(i)G + K)x(i) = 0, for i = 1, ..., 2n, where M, G, and K are real n x n matrices, and M is symmetric positive definite (denoted by M > 0), G is skew symmetric, and either K > 0 or -K > 0. Gyroscopic systemin motion about a stable equilibrium position (with -K > 0) are well understood. Two Lanczos-type algorithms, the pseudo skew symmetric Lanczos algorithm and the J-Lanczos algorithm, are studied for computing some extreme eigenpairs for solving gyroscopic systems in motion about an unstable equilibrium position (with K > 0). Shift and invert strategies, error bounds, implementation issues, and numerical results for both algorithms are presented in details. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.