Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
The purpose of this note is to outline the basic physical features of parametric oscillation or instability and to show how situations might arise in practice in aircraft structures in which these effects would be significant. In most situations, the appearance of parametric oscillations will be the exception rather than the rule because of the relatively stringent conditions for its existence as a substantial component of the response. Nevertheless it is felt that the dynamicist should be aware of the phenomenon and should have some knowledge of its nature both as an aid to its recognition when it does appear and as a guide to the sort of situations in which it might be expected.