General analytic solution of dynamic response of beams with nonhomogeneity and variable cross-section

In this paper, a new method, the step-reduction method, is proposed to investigate the dynamic response of the Bernoulli-Euler beams with arbitrary nonhomogeneity and arbitrary variable cross-section under arbitrary loads. Both free vibration and forced vibration of such beams are studied. The new method requires to discretize the space domain into a number of elements. Each element can be treated as a homogeneous one with uniform thickness. Therefore, the general analytical solution of homogeneous beams with uniform cross-section can be used in each element. Then, the general analytic solution of the whole beam in terms of initial parameters can be obtained by satisfying the physical and geometric continuity conditions at the adjacent elements. In the case of free vibration, the frequency equation in analytic form can be obtained, and in the case of forced vibration, a final solution in analytical form can also be obtained which is involved in solving a set of simultaneous algebraic equations with only two unknowns which are independent of the numbers of elements divided. The present analysis can also be extended to the study of the vibration of such beams with viscous and hysteretic damping and other kinds of beams and other structural elements with arbitrary nonhomogeneity and arbitrary variable thickness.