Abstract
A new central result that gives the necessary and sufficient conditions for two n by n skew-symmetric matrices and one symmetric matrix to be simultaneously quasi-diagonalized by a real orthogonal congruence is proved. Based on this result, the decomposition of linear multi-degree-of-freedom dynamical systems with gyroscopic, circulatory, and potential forces is investigated through a real linear coordinate transformation generated by an orthogonal matrix. Several sets of conditions, applicable to real-life structural and mechanical systems arising in aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering, under which such a coordinate transformation exists are found, thereby allowing these systems to be decomposed into independent, uncoupled subsystems, each with a maximum of two degrees of freedom. The conditions are expressed in terms of the coefficient matrices of the system. A specific form for the circulatory (gyroscopic) matrix is posited, and when the gyroscopic (circulatory) matrix is simple—a situation that commonly appears in real-life applications—it is shown that just a single necessary and sufficient condition is required for the decomposition of the multi-degree-of-freedom system. Numerical examples are provided throughout to demonstrate the analytical results.
