The lagrange equations for systems with mass varying explicitly with position: Some applications to offshore engineering

Abstract

The usual Lagrange equations of motion cannot be directly applied to systems with mass varying explicitly with position. In this particular context, a naive application, without any special consideration on non-conservative generalized forces, leads to equations of motions which lack (or exceed) terms of the form 1/2(∂m/∂q)q2, where q is a generalized coordinate. This paper intends to discuss the issue a little further, by treating some applications in offshore engineering under the analytic mechanics point of view. Copyright © 2006 by ABCM.