Divergence and flutter instabilities of a non-conservative axial lattice under non-reciprocal interactions

Non-reciprocal interactions of discrete or continuous systems may induce surprising responses such as flutter instabilities. It is shown in this paper that a finite one-dimensional lattice under non-symmetrical elastic interactions may flutter for sufficiently strong unsymmetrical interactions. An exact solution is presented for the vibration of such one-dimensional lattices with direct and non-symmetrical elastic interactions. An internal force controlling the interactions is included in the model as an additional force for each mass, which acts proportionally to the elongation of a spring at its position. This non-conservative problem due to this circulatory interaction is solved from the resolution of a linear difference equation for this unsymmetrical repetitive lattice. It is possible to derive the exact eigenfrequency dependence with respect to the unsymmetrical interaction parameter, which plays the role of a bifurcation parameter. Divergence and flutter instabilities of this fixed–fixed non-conservative axial lattice under non-Hermitian interactions are theoretically predicted, from a direct approach or by solving the difference equation whatever the number of masses of the lattice. It is shown that the system may flutter for sufficiently strong unsymmetrical interactions, whatever the size of the system, for even or odd number of masses. However, divergence instability may arise in such a system only for even number of masses. The drastic change of response of the present system for odd or even number of particles is specific of the discrete nature of the dynamic system.