Pipes Supported at Both Ends Cannot Flutter

Abstract

We use a development of Liapunov’s second method to study the local and global stability of the equilibrium positions adopted by a pipe conveying fluid. The pipe is simply supported at both ends and the analysis includes first-order (structural) nonlinearities. The major conclusion is that, contrary to the suggestions of linear analyses and of recent nonlinear numerical studies, sustained flutter motions are impossible in the case of the equation studied here.