Utilization of characteristic polynomials in vibration analysis of non-uniform beams under a moving mass excitation

Vibration of non-uniform beams with different boundary conditions subjected to a moving mass is investigated. The beam is modeled using Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. Applying the method of eigenfunction expansion, equation of motion has been transformed into a number of coupled linear time-varying ordinary differential equations. In non-uniform beams, the exact vibration functions do not exist and in order to solve these equations using eigenfunction expansion method, an adequate set of functions must be selected as the assumed vibration modes. A set of polynomial functions called as beam characteristic polynomials, which is constructed by considering beam boundary conditions, have been used along with the vibration functions of the equivalent uniform beam with similar boundary conditions, as the assumed vibration functions. Orthogonal polynomials which are generated by utilizing a Gram–Schmidt process are also used, and results of their application show no advantage over the set of simple non-orthogonal polynomials. In the numerical examples, both natural frequencies and forced vibration of three different non-uniform beams with different shapes and boundary conditions are scrutinized.     

Asymptotic analysis of a perturbation problem

An asymptotic expansion is constructed for the solution of the initial-value problem

when t is restricted to the interval [0,T/ε], where T is any given number. Our analysis is mathematically rigorous; that is, we show that the difference between the true solution u(t,x;ε) and the Nth partial sum of the asymptotic series is bounded by ε^N+1 multiplied by a constant depending on T but not on x and t.     

Stress and free vibration analysis of functionally graded beams using static Green's functions

In this paper static Green's functions for functionally graded Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beams are presented. All material properties are arbitrary functions along the beam thickness direction. The closed-form solutions of static Green's functions are derived from a fourth-order partial differential equation presented in [2]. In combination with Betti's reciprocal theorem the Green's functions are applied to calculate internal forces and stress analysis of functionally graded beams (FGBs) under static loadings. For symmetrical material properties along the beam thickness direction and symmetric cross-sections, the resulting stress distributions are also symmetric. For unsymmetrical material properties the neutral axis and the center of gravity axis are located at different positions. Free vibrations of functionally graded Timoshenko beams are also analyzed [3]. Analytical solutions of eigenfunctions and eigenfrequencies in closed-forms are obtained based on reference [2]. Alternatively it is also possible to use static Green's functions and Fredholm's integral equations to obtain approximate eigenfunctions and eigenfrequencies by an iterative procedure as shown in [1]. Applying the Sensitivity Analysis with Green's Functions (SAGF) [1] to derive closed-form analytical solutions of functionally graded beams, it is possible to modify the derived static Green's functions and include terms taking cracks into account, which are modeled by translational or rotational springs. Furthermore the SAGF approach in combination with the superposition principle can be used to take stiffness jumps into account and to extend static Green's functions of simple beams to that of discontinuous beams by adding new supports. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A new Orthonormal Polynomial Series Expansion Method in vibration analysis of thin beams with non-uniform thickness

In this article, OPSEM (Orthonormal Polynomial Series Expansion Method) is developed as a new computational approach for the evaluation of thin beams of variable thickness transverse vibration. Capability of the OPSEM in assessing the free vibration frequencies and mode shapes of an Euler–Bernoulli beam with varying thickness is discussed. Multispan continuous beams with various classical boundary conditions are included. Contribution of BOPs (Basic Orthonormal Polynomials) in capturing the beam vibrations is also illustrated in numerical examples to give a quantitative measure of convergence rate. Furthermore, OPSEM is adopted for the forced vibration of a thin beam caused by a moving mass. Dynamics of beams supported by flexible elastic base like free to free beam on elastic foundation are also regarded. Verifications are made via eigenfunction expansion method and GMLSM (Generalized Moving Least Square Method). The very close observed agreement between the results of the two recently mentioned methods and that of OPSEM can be regarded as a guarantee of validity for the newly introduced technique. In comparison with eigenfunction expansion method, the simplicity and handiness of OPSEM in coping with different boundary conditions of the beam can be considered as its benefit for engineering practitioners.     

Asymptotic and numerical analysis of singular perturbation problems: A survey

This paper is intended to be a brief survey of the asymptotic and numerical analysis of singular perturbation problems. The purpose is to find out what problems are treated and what numerical/asymptotic methods are employed, with an eye toward the goal of developing general methods to solve such problems. A summary of the results of some recent methods is presented, and this leads to conclusions and recommendations about what methods to use on singular perturbation problems. Finally, some areas of current research are indicated. A bibliography of about 130 items is provided.     

A new approach to free vibration analysis using boundary elements

A boundary element method for the analysis of free vibrations in solid mechanics is developed using a non-standard boundary integral approach. It is shown that, utilizing the statical fundamental solution and employing a special class of coordinate functions, the algebraic eigenvalue problem results. The method has been realized numerically for the two-dimensional elastodynamics, and a number of examples demonstrating its accuracy have been included.     

Nonlinear free vibration analysis of functionally graded beams by using different shear deformation theories

This study investigates the nonlinear free vibration of functionally graded material (FGM) beams by different shear deformation theories. The volume fractions of the material constituents and effective material properties are assumed to be changing in the thickness direction according to the power-law form. The von Kármán geometric nonlinearity has been considered in the formulation. The Ritz method and Lagrange equation are adopted to yield the discrete formulations. A direct numerical integration method for the motion equation in matrix form is developed to solve the nonlinear frequencies of FGM beams. Comparing with the global concordant deformation assumption (GCDA), a new deformation assumption named as local concordant deformation assumption (LCDA) is proposed in this study. The LCDA fits with the real deformation of the vibrating beam better, thus more accurate results of the nonlinear frequency can be expected. In numerical results, the comparison study of the GCDA and LCDA is carried out. In addition, the effects of power-law index, slenderness ratio and maximum deflection for different shear deformation theories and boundary conditions on the nonlinear frequency of the beam are discussed.     

Nonlinear vibration analysis of tapered Timoshenko beams

The nonlinear flexural vibration analysis of tapered Timoshenko beams is conducted. The equations of motion for tapered Timoshenko beams are established in which the effects of nonlinear transverse deformation, nonlinear curvature as well as nonlinear axial deformation are taken into account. The nonlinear fundamental frequencies of tapered Timoshenko beams with two simply supported or clamped ends are presented.     

Post-buckling and nonlinear free vibration analysis of geometrically imperfect functionally graded beams resting on nonlinear elastic foundation

In this paper, post-buckling and nonlinear vibration analysis of geometrically imperfect beams made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) resting on nonlinear elastic foundation subjected to axial force are studied. The material properties of FGMs are assumed to be graded in the thickness direction according to a simple power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The assumptions of a small strain and moderate deformation are used. Based on Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and von-Karman geometric nonlinearity, the integral partial differential equation of motion is derived. Then this partial differential equation (PDE) problem, which has quadratic and cubic nonlinearities, is simplified into an ordinary differential equation (ODE) problem by using the Galerkin method. Finally, the governing equation is solved analytically using the variational iteration method (VIM). Some new results for the nonlinear natural frequencies and buckling load of the imperfect functionally graded (FG) beams such as the effects of vibration amplitude, elastic coefficients of foundation, axial force, end supports and material inhomogeneity are presented for future references. Results show that the imperfection has a significant effect on the post-buckling and vibration response of FG beams.     

A mixed differential quadrature and finite element free vibration and buckling analysis of thick beams on two-parameter elastic foundations

As a first endeavor, a mixed differential quadrature (DQ) and finite element (FE) method for boundary value structural problems in the context of free vibration and buckling analysis of thick beams supported on two-parameter elastic foundations is presented. The formulations are based on the two-dimensional theory of elasticity. The problem domain along axial direction is discretized using finite elements. The resulting system of equations and the related boundary conditions are discretized in the thickness direction and in strong-form using DQM. The method benefits from low computational efforts of the DQ in conjunction with the effectiveness of the FE method in general geometry and systematic boundary treatment resulting in highly accurate and fast convergence behavior solution. The boundary conditions at the top and bottom surface of the beams are implemented accurately. The presented formulations provide an effective analysis tool for beams free of shear locking. Comparisons are made with results from elasticity solutions as well as higher-order beam theory.     

Nonlinear analysis of buckling,free vibration and dynamic stability for the piezoelectric functionally graded beams in thermal environment

Employing Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and the physical neutral surface concept, the nonlinear governing equation for the functionally graded material beam with two clamped ends and surface-bonded piezoelectric actuators is derived by the Hamilton’s principle. The thermo-piezoelectric buckling, nonlinear free vibration and dynamic stability for the piezoelectric functionally graded beams, subjected to one-dimensional steady heat conduction in the thickness direction, are studied. The critical buckling loads for the beam are obtained by the existing methods in the analysis of thermo-piezoelectric buckling. The Galerkin’s procedure and elliptic function are adopted to obtain the analytical solution of the nonlinear free vibration, and the incremental harmonic balance method is applied to obtain the principle unstable regions of the piezoelectric functionally graded beam. In the numerical examples, the good agreements between the present results and existing solutions verify the validity and accuracy of the present analysis and solving method. Simultaneously, validation of the results achieved by rule of mixture against those obtained via the Mori–Tanaka scheme is carried out, and excellent agreements are reported. The effects of the thermal load, electric load, and thermal properties of the constituent materials on the thermo-piezoelectric buckling, nonlinear free vibration, and dynamic stability of the piezoelectric functionally graded beam are discussed, and some meaningful conclusions have been drawn.     

Asymptotic analysis of a second-order singular perturbation model for phase transitions

We study the asymptotic behavior, as ${\varepsilon}$ tends to zero, of the functionals ${F^k_\varepsilon}$ introduced by Coleman and Mizel in the theory of nonlinear second-order materials; i.e., $$F^k_\varepsilon(u):=\int\limits_{I} \left(\frac{W(u)}{\varepsilon}-k\,\varepsilon\,(u')^2+\varepsilon^3(u'')^2\right)\,dx,\quad u\in W^{2,2}(I),$$ where k?>?0 and ${W:\mathbb{R}\to[0,+\infty)}$ is a double-well potential with two potential wells of level zero at ${a,b\in\mathbb{R}}$ . By proving a new nonlinear interpolation inequality, we show that there exists a positive constant k ₀ such that, for k?<?k ₀, and for a class of potentials W, ${(F^k_\varepsilon)}$ ??(L ¹)-converges to $$F^k(u):={\bf m}_k \, \#(S(u)),\quad u\in BV(I;\{a,b\}),$$ where m _k is a constant depending on W and k. Moreover, in the special case of the classical potential ${W(s)=\frac{(s^2-1)^2}{2}}$ , we provide an upper bound on the values of k such that the minimizers of ${F_\varepsilon^k}$ cannot develop oscillations on some fine scale and a lower bound on the values for which oscillations occur, the latter improving a previous estimate by Mizel, Peletier and Troy.     

Vibration and stability of non-uniform beams with abrupt changes of cross-section by using C1 modified beam vibration functions

A unified method is presented for the analysis of vibration and stability of axially loaded non-uniform beams with abrupt changes of cross-section. The beam may also be supported on Winkler elastic foundation, and both the axial force and the foundation stiffness can be varied arbitrarily. The method is based on the Euler–Lagrangian approach using a family of C¹ admissible functions as the assumed modes. The assumed modes comprise essentially the vibration modes of a single span hypothetical prismatic beam with the same end supports but without the intermediate supports, modified by piecewise C¹ cubic polynomials. The chosen admissible functions therefore possess both the advantages of fast convergence of the eigenfunctions and the appropriate order of continuity at the location of abrupt change of cross-section. The method allows extensive use of matrix notations and programming is rather straightforward. Numerical results also show that the method is versatile, efficient and accurate.     

Size-dependent forced vibration of non-uniform bi-directional functionally graded beams embedded in variable elastic environment carrying a moving harmonic mass

In this study, general non-uniform material-varying micro-beam models under a moving harmonic load/mass are investigated. Material variation is modeled by combining axial and thickness material grading models using exponential, linear, parabolic and sigmoidal functions. Beam is assumed to be resting on an elastic foundation and in this linear foundation model, foundation modulus is assumed to vary axially with respect to space variable in a non-linear manner ignoring the effect of mass density of foundation on the behavior of micro-beam. Cross-section variation through the length is formulated for both thickness and width variation. Governing equations for such comprehensive beam model is achieved using Hamilton's principle in conjunction with modified couple stress theory to add the scale-effects and solved by discussing explicit and implicit finite element methods with using various-steps and Wilson-theta method. Current methodology is verified using previous studies on simplified problems. A comprehensive parametric study is presented in order to indicate the influence of each design, material and fundamental terms on the forced vibration behavior of such structures under a moving harmonic/constant load/mass. It is shown that by appropriately choosing the material variation in bidirectional functionally graded beams dynamic vibration behavior of such structures could change significantly. Moreover, it is shown that varying cross-section, elastic foundation and type of harmonic moving mass can change the dynamic reaction of the general micro-beam model. From the influence of modified couple stress term on mechanical behavior of such structures it is concluded that this term has crucial effect in varying the dynamic deflections and it is important to acknowledge it in analyzing such structures.     

Optimisation of a single-component maintenance system: A smoothed perturbation analysis approach

In this paper we show how the technique of smoothed perturbation analysis (SPA) can be applied to optimize threshold values in a maintenance model. We do so for a particular model in which a single component is minimally repaired up to an age threshold t and preventively replaced at age t_p, where t_p>t. With each maintenance action, such as minimal repair, replacement after failure or preventive replacement, costs are associated. These costs may depend on the sample path history of the component. We derive an estimator for the derivative of the cost performance with respect to t and t_p.     

Free vibration analysis of stepped beams by using Adomian decomposition method

The Adomian decomposition method (ADM) is employed in this paper to investigate the free vibrations of a stepped Euler-Bernoulli beam consisting of two uniform sections. Each section is considered a substructure which can be modeled using ADM. By using boundary condition and continuity condition equations, the dimensionless natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes can be easily obtained simultaneously. The computed results for different boundary conditions, step ratios and step locations are presented. Comparing the results using ADM to those given in the literature, excellent agreement is achieved.     

Free vibration analysis of cracked beams by using rigid segment method

This paper deals with the analysis of influence of crack parameters to the modal characteristics of beams at various boundary conditions by using rigid segment method. The beam was discretized by a number of rigid segments which were connected by elastic joints with three degrees of freedom, while the crack was described by cracked element based on fracture mechanics. This model allows detection of coupling between the axial and transverse vibrations under the special boundary conditions. The proposed approach covers both the Euler–Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam model. The efficiency of the method was shown through the few numerical examples.     

Nonlinear vibration of beams and rectangular plates

Zusammenfassung Der Einfluss von Vorspannungen auf die freien und erzwungenen nichtlinearen Schwingungen von Balken und rechteckigen Platten wird mittels einer einfachen Erweiterung der Lösungen für Fälle ohne Vorspannung untersucht. Es wird eine einzige Koordinatenfunktion benützt; es werden einfach aufgelegte und eingespannte Fälle betrachtet; und die Diskussion wird auch auf den überkritischen Bereich ausgedehnt.     

Active vibration suppression of smart beams

In this paper an active vibration control technique for a smart beam is presented. The structure is made of two layers of piezoelectric material (PZT8) embedded on the surface of an aluminium beam. The active control is inserted into the finite element model by using programming tools of the general purpose code used here. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)