On the interpretation of structural damping

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Abstract
The usual definition of structural damping leads naturally to a complex differential equation of motion, the interpretation of the complex solution of which has caused some confusion in the literature. Even a real equation obtained by a straightforward method does not prove to be satisfactory. For this reason, a new principle is introduced, that of “accompanying”, virtual motion; the resulting equation and solution are still such as one would expect, but the interpretation becomes physically straightforward and mathematically coherent. This is shown first (for single degree of freedom) for the homogeneous equation, to illustrate a case of non‐periodic motion; then, also introducing an “accompanying”, virtual force, the inhomogeneous equation is solved. Finally, the generalization to several degrees of freedom is indicated, and the implications of the method are illustrated by the typical case of aerodynamic flutter.

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