Abstract

In this paper, an valid numerical algorithm is presented to solve variable fractional viscoelastic pipes conveying pulsating fluid in the time domain and analyze dynamically the vortex-induced vibration of the pipes. Firstly, Coimbra variable fractional derivative operators are introduced. Meanwhile, using Hamilton's principle and a nonlinear variable fractional order model, the governing system of equations is established. The unknown functions of the system of equations are approximated with shifted Legendre polynomials. Then, convergence analysis and numerical example investigate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed algorithm. Finally, the influences of different parameters on the dynamic response of the viscoelastic pipe are studied. The influencing factors and their ranges of the transient and long-term chaotic states of the pipe are analyzed. In addition, the proposed algorithm shows enormous potentials for solving the dynamics problems of viscoelastic pipes with the variable fractional order models.