integration schemes may be checked. It is important that the solution for depends on one (prescribed) parameter X only. Once solved, an infinite number of solutions can be generated directly by adjusting A 0 . In this sense, $ is defined by a twoparameter family of solutions. Because d/l/d/ = X^O, the solution would correspond to an initially "steady" solution with an "impulse" at t = Q + . For X = 0, of course, our formulation is just the Murman-Cole problem.
Nomenclaturê(£) >A o = area at any station, reference station #(£) = nondimensional area variation I(£}Jo = moment of inertia at any station, reference station / (£) = nondimensional inertia variation E = modulus of elasticity F(t) = time function F p (t)>Fq.(t) = summed up inertial forces at a station H B -spring force K = nondimensional spring constant (= kL/EA 0 ) k = spring constant L = length of beam M = bending moment at any station m 0 =mass per unit length of.beam at reference station N = axial force at any station p(%)= distributed inertial force Q = shear force at any station q (%) = distributed inertial force V B -vertical force at movable hinge U,V = displacements of a point on neutral axis in x,y directions u,v =U/L, V/L x,y = coordinate system a =V B L 2 /EI Q y = H B L 2 /EI 0 £ =x/L; nondimensional coordinate 0,6 0 = slope at any station, at reference station X -nondimensional quantity ( = m 0 u 2 L 4 /EI 0 ) p -radius gyration at reference station co = quantity characterizing vibration