Dynamics of a rigid body with an ellipsoidal cavity filled with viscous fluid

We revisit the approach proposed by F.L. Chernousko to modeling the dynamics of a rigid body with a cavity entirely filled with a highly viscous fluid. Within the approach, a finite-dimensional model of the body + fluid system is offered and the influence of the fluid is represented as a special torque acting upon the body with solidified fluid. Our aim is to develop further and expand a few technical aspects of the Chernousko model. In particular, we offer a coordinate-free form for some essential formulas and consider the case of constrained dynamics. To illustrate the results obtained we explore the motion of a physical pendulum with a fluid-filled cavity on a rotating platform. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.