Exact solution and stability of postbuckling configurations of beams

We present an exact solution for the postbuckling configurations of beams with fixed–fixed, fixed–hinged, and hinged–hinged boundary conditions. We take into account the geometric nonlinearity arising from midplane stretching, and as a result, the governing equation exhibits a cubic nonlinearity. We solve the nonlinear buckling problem and obtain a closed-form solution for the postbuckling configurations in terms of the applied axial load. The critical buckling loads and their associated mode shapes, which are the only outcome of solving the linear buckling problem, are obtained as a byproduct. We investigate the dynamic stability of the obtained postbuckling configurations and find out that the first buckled shape is a stable equilibrium position for all boundary conditions. However, we find out that buckled configurations beyond the first buckling mode are unstable equilibrium positions. We present the natural frequencies of the lowest vibration modes around each of the first three buckled configurations. The results show that many internal resonances might be activated among the vibration modes around the same as well as different buckled configurations. We present preliminary results of the dynamic response of a fixed–fixed beam in the case of a one-to-one internal resonance between the first vibration mode around the first buckled configuration and the first vibration mode around the second buckled configuration.     

Thermal buckling and post-buckling of pinned–fixed Euler–Bernoulli beams on an elastic foundation

In this article, both thermal buckling and post-buckling of pinned–fixed beams resting on an elastic foundation are investigated. Based on the accurate geometrically non-linear theory for Euler–Bernoulli beams, considering both linear and non-linear elastic foundation effects, governing equations for large static deformations of the beam subjected to uniform temperature rise are derived. Due to the large deformation of the beam, the constraint forces of elastic foundation in both longitudinal and transverse directions are taken into account. The boundary value problem for the non-linear ordinary differential equations is solved effectively by using the shooting method. Characteristic curves of critical buckling temperature versus elastic foundation stiffness parameter corresponding to the first, the second, and the third buckling mode shapes are plotted. From the numerical results it can be found that the buckling load-elastic foundation stiffness curves have no intersection when the value of linear foundation stiffness parameter is less than 3000, which is different from the behaviors of symmetrically supported (pinned–pinned and fixed–fixed) beams. As we expect that the non-linear foundation stiffness parameter has no sharp influence on the critical buckling temperature and it has a slight effect on the post-buckling temperature compared with the linear one.     

Large thermal deflections of Timoshenko beams under transversely non-uniform temperature rise

Geometrically non-linear deformation of axially extensional Timoshenko beams subjected mechanical as well thermal loadings were characterized by a system of 7 coupled and highly non-linear ordinary differential equations, which results in a complicated two-point boundary-value problem. By using shooting method this kind of problem can be numerically solved efficiently. Based on the above-mentioned mathematical formulation and numerical procedure, analysis of large thermal deflections for Timoshenko beams, subjected transversely non-uniform temperature rise and with immovably pinned–pinned as well as fixed–fixed ends, is presented. Characteristic curves showing the relationships between the beam deformation and temperature rise are illustrated. Especially, the effects of shear deformation on the bending and buckling response are quantitatively investigated. The numerical results show, as we know, that shear deformation effects become significant with the decrease of the slenderness and with the increase of the shear flexibility.     

Dynamic stiffness method for free vibration of an axially moving beam with generalized boundary conditions

Axially moving beams are often discussed with several classic boundary conditions, such as simply-supported ends, fixed ends, and free ends. Here, axially moving beams with generalized boundary conditions are discussed for the first time. The beam is supported by torsional springs and vertical springs at both ends. By modifying the stiffness of the springs, generalized boundaries can replace those classical boundaries.Dynamic stiffness matrices are, respectively, established for axially moving Timoshenko beams and Euler-Bernoulli(EB) beams with generalized boundaries. In order to verify the applicability of the EB model, the natural frequencies of the axially moving Timoshenko beam and EB beam are compared. Furthermore, the effects of constrained spring stiffness on the vibration frequencies of the axially moving beam are studied. Interestingly, it can be found that the critical speed of the axially moving beam does not change with the vertical spring stiffness. In addition, both the moving speed and elastic boundaries make the Timoshenko beam theory more needed. The validity of the dynamic stiffness method is demonstrated by using numerical simulation.     

Closed-form solutions for Euler–Bernoulli arbitrary discontinuous beams

Euler–Bernoulli arbitrary discontinuous beams acted upon by static loads are addressed. Based on appropriate Green’s functions here derived in a closed form, the response variables are obtained: (a) for stepped beams with internal springs, as closed-form functions of the beam discontinuity parameters, without enforcing neither internal nor boundary conditions; (b) for stepped beams with internal springs and along-axis supports, as closed-form functions of the unknown reactions of the along-axis supports only, to be computed by enforcing pertinent conditions. A remarkable reduction in computational effort is achieved, in this manner, compared to competing methods in the literature.     

Periodic excitation of a buckled beam using a higher order semianalytic approach

This paper considers the steady-state behavior of a transversally excited, buckled pinned–pinned beam, which is free to move axially on one side. This research focuses on higher order single-mode as well as multimode Galerkin discretizations of the beam’s partial differential equation. The convergence of the static load-paths and eigenfrequencies (of the linearized system) of the various higher-order Taylor approximations is investigated. In the steady-state analyses of the semianalytic models, amplitude–frequency plots are presented based on 7th order approximations for the strains. These plots are obtained by solving two-point boundary value problems and by applying a path-following technique. Local stability and bifurcation analysis is carried out using Floquet theory. Dynamically interesting areas (bifurcation points, routes to chaos, snapthrough regions) are analyzed using phase space plots and Poincaré plots. In addition, parameter variation studies are carried out. The accuracy of some semianalytic results is verified by Finite Element analyses. It is shown that the described semianalytic higher order approach is very useful for fast and accurate evaluation of the nonlinear dynamics of the buckled beam system.     

On the limitations of linear beams for the problems of moving mass-beam interaction using a meshfree method

This paper deals with the capabilities of linear and nonlinear beam theories in predicting the dynamic response of an elastically supported thin beam traversed by a moving mass. To this end, the discrete equations of motion are developed based on Lagrange’s equations via reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM). For a particular case of a simply supported beam, Galerkin method is also employed to verify the results obtained by RKPM, and a reasonably good agreement is achieved. Variations of the maximum dynamic deflection and bending moment associated with the linear and nonlinear beam theories are investigated in terms of moving mass weight and velocity for various beam boundary conditions. It is demonstrated that for majority of the moving mass velocities, the differences between the results of linear and nonlinear analyses become remarkable as the moving mass weight increases, particularly for high levels of moving mass velocity. Except for the cantilever beam, the nonlinear beam theory predicts higher possibility of moving mass separation from the base beam compared to the linear one. Furthermore, the accuracy levels of the linear beam theory are determined for thin beams under large deflections and small rotations as a function of moving mass weight and velocity in various boundary conditions.     

Solution of free vibration equations of semi-rigid connected Reddy–Bickford beams resting on elastic soil using the differential transform method

The literature regarding the free vibration analysis of Bernoulli–Euler and Timoshenko beams under various supporting conditions is plenty, but the free vibration analysis of Reddy–Bickford beams with variable cross-section on elastic soil with/without axial force effect using the Differential Transform Method (DTM) has not been investigated by any of the studies in open literature so far. In this study, the free vibration analysis of axially loaded and semi-rigid connected Reddy–Bickford beam with variable cross-section on elastic soil is carried out by using DTM. The model has six degrees of freedom at the two ends, one transverse displacement and two rotations, and the end forces are a shear force and two end moments in this study. The governing differential equations of motion of the rectangular beam in free vibration are derived using Hamilton’s principle and considering rotatory inertia. Parameters for the relative stiffness, stiffness ratio and nondimensionalized multiplication factor for the axial compressive force are incorporated into the equations of motion in order to investigate their effects on the natural frequencies. At first, the terms are found directly from the analytical solutions of the differential equations that describe the deformations of the cross-section according to the high-order theory. After the analytical solution, an efficient and easy mathematical technique called DTM is used to solve the governing differential equations of the motion. The calculated natural frequencies of semi-rigid connected Reddy–Bickford beam with variable cross-section on elastic soil using DTM are tabulated in several tables and figures and are compared with the results of the analytical solution where a very good agreement is observed.     

Stress waves in a rod subjected to a moving load

The wave processes in a semi-infinite rod located in an elastic medium and subjected to a point load moving at a constant velocity are considered. The system of two differential equations of motion of Timoshenko beam theory is solved using the Laplace transform in time. The integrals obtained are determined numerically. Variation of the bending moment on the longitudinal coordinate behind the elastic-wave front and the region of action of the point force at various times is shown. The results of the solution are influence functions. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 112–122, March–April, 2007.     

非线性杆单元荷载矩阵积分算子直接集成算法

在文献[1]的基础上，将积分算子直接集成单元刚度矩阵的方法扩展应用于非线性杆单元的荷载矩阵集成．该方法将分布荷载产生的内力函数分解为由未知参数表示的线形项，和与分布荷载特性相关的已知函数项的组合，计算积分算子，由积分算子的线形组合得到分布荷戟产生的杆件内力函数，从而得到荷载矩阵．该方法没有采用任何假定，具有广泛的普适性，能用于求解任意刚度分布杆件上作用任意分布荷载或集中荷载的单元荷载矩阵．对于刚度非连续、荷载分布非连续的情况，该方法避免了高斯数值积分的误差，具有更高的计算精度。     

Exact solution and transient behavior for torsional vibration of functionally graded finite hollow cylinders

Exact solutions are obtained for transient torsio- nal responses of a finitely long, functionally graded hollow cylinder under three different end conditions, i.e. free-free, free-fixed and fixed-fixed. The cylinder with its external surface fixed is subjected to a dynamic shearing stress at the internal surface. The material properties are assumed to vary in the radial direction in a power law form, while keep invariant in the axial direction. With expansion in the axial direction in terms of trigonometric series, the governing equations for the unknown functions about the radial coordinate r and time t are deduced. By applying the variable substitution technique, the superposition method and the separation of variables consecutively, series-form solutions of the equations are obtained. Natural frequencies and the transient torsional responses are finally discussed for a functionally graded finite hollow cylinder.     

Crack propagation in wedged double cantilevered beam specimens

A closed form analytical solution of crack propagation in double cantilevered beam specimens opened at a constant rate has been found. Hamilton's principle for non-conservative systems was applied to describe the crack motion, under the assumption of a Bernoulli-Euler beam. The criterion of crack propagation is a critical bending moment at the crack tip. The calculations of beam motion take into account wave effects in the Bernoulli-Euler theory of elastic beams. The beam shape during the crack motion is found with a similarity transformation and expressed by Fresnel integrals. The boundary conditions satisfied are the fixed ones of zero bending moment and constant beam opening rate at the load end of the specimen and the moving ones of zero deflection and zero slope of the deflected beam at the tip of the moving crack. The fracture represents a moving critical bending moment. The analytical results show that the specific fracture surface energy is a unique function of the ratio of the crack length squared to the time subsequent to loading and this is computed from the recorded time-dependence of the crack length.     

Elasticity solutions for plane anisotropic functionally graded beams

This paper considers the plane stress problem of generally anisotropic beams with elastic compliance parameters being arbitrary functions of the thickness coordinate. Firstly, the partial differential equation, which is satisfied by the Airy stress function for the plane problem of anisotropic functionally graded materials and involves the effect of body force, is derived. Secondly, a unified method is developed to obtain the stress function. The analytical expressions of axial force, bending moment, shear force and displacements are then deduced through integration. Thirdly, the stress function is employed to solve problems of anisotropic functionally graded plane beams, with the integral constants completely determined from boundary conditions. A series of elasticity solutions are thus obtained, including the solution for beams under tension and pure bending, the solution for cantilever beams subjected to shear force applied at the free end, the solution for cantilever beams or simply supported beams subjected to uniform load, the solution for fixed–fixed beams subjected to uniform load, and the one for beams subjected to body force, etc. These solutions can be easily degenerated into the elasticity solutions for homogeneous beams. Some of them are absolutely new to literature, and some coincide with the available solutions. It is also found that there are certain errors in several available solutions. A numerical example is finally presented to show the effect of material inhomogeneity on the elastic field in a functionally graded anisotropic cantilever beam.     

Generalized-order perturbation with explicit coefficient for damage detection of modular beam

A general method is formulated to estimate damage location and extent from the explicit perturbation terms in specific set of eigenvectors and eigenvalues. At first, perturbed orthonormal equation is generated from the perturbation of eigenvectors and eigenvalues to obtain the k-th explicit perturbation coefficients. At second, perturbed eigenvalue equation is generated from the perturbation of eigenvector and eigenvalue, and first-order expansion of the stiffness matrix to obtain other explicit perturbation coefficients. Stiffness parameters are computed from these equations using an optimization method. The algorithm is iterative and terminates under certain criteria. A fixed–fixed modular beam with various numbers of elements is used as test structure to investigate the applicability of the developed approach. By comparison with the Euler–Bernoulli beam, discretization errors are analyzed. In six elements beam, first-order algorithm converges faster for small percentage damage. Second-order algorithm is more efficient for medium percentage damage. For large percentage damage, the second-order algorithm converges more effectively. Meanwhile, for eight elements large percentage damage and ten elements small percentage damage, second-order algorithm converges faster to the termination criterion.     

Dynamic response of axially moving Timoshenko beams: integral transform solution

The generalized integral transform technique (GITT) is used to find a semianalytical numerical solution for dynamic response of an axially moving Timoshenko beam with clamped-clamped and simply-supported boundary conditions, respectively. The implementation of GITT approach for analyzing the forced vibration equation eliminates the space variable and leads to systems of second-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in time. The MATHEMATICA built-in function, NDSolve, is used to numerically solve the resulting transformed ODE system. The good convergence behavior of the suggested eigenfunction expansions is demonstrated for calculating the transverse deflection and the angle of rotation of the beam cross-section. Moreover, parametric studies are performed to analyze the effects of the axially moving speed, the axial tension, and the amplitude of external distributed force on the vibration amplitude of axially moving Timoshenko beams.     

Free vibration of axially loaded thin-walled composite Timoshenko beams

Based on shear-deformable beam theory, free vibration of thin-walled composite Timoshenko beams with arbitrary layups under a constant axial force is presented. This model accounts for all the structural coupling coming from material anisotropy. Governing equations for flexural-torsional-shearing coupled vibrations are derived from Hamilton’s principle. The resulting coupling is referred to as sixfold coupled vibrations. A displacement-based one-dimensional finite element model is developed to solve the problem. Numerical results are obtained for thin-walled composite beams to investigate the effects of shear deformation, axial force, fiber angle, modulus ratio on the natural frequencies, corresponding vibration mode shapes and load–frequency interaction curves.     

Chaotic vibrations of a post-buckled L-shaped beam with an axial constraint

Analytical results are presented on chaotic vibrations of a post-buckled L-shaped beam with an axial constraint. The L-shaped beam is composed of two beams which are a horizontal beam and a vertical beam. The two beams are firmly connected with a right angle at each end. The beams joint with the right angle is attached to a linear spring. The other ends are firmly clamped for displacement. The L-shaped beam is compressed horizontally via the spring at the beams joint. The L-shaped beam deforms to a post-buckled configuration. Boundary conditions are required with geometrical continuity of displacements and dynamical equilibrium with axial force, bending moment, and share force, respectively. In the analysis, the mode shape function proposed by the senior author is introduced. The coefficients of the mode shape function are fixed to satisfy boundary conditions of displacements and linearized equilibrium conditions of force and moment. Assuming responses of the beam with the sum of the mode shape function, then applying the modified Galerkin procedure to the governing equations, a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations is obtained in a multiple-degree-of-freedom system. Nonlinear responses of the beam are calculated under periodic lateral acceleration. Nonlinear frequency response curves are computed with the harmonic balance method in a wide range of excitation frequency. Chaotic vibrations are obtained with the numerical integration in a specific frequency region. The chaotic responses are investigated with the Fourier spectra, the Poincaré projections, the maximum Lyapunov exponents and the Lyapunov dimension. Applying the procedure of the proper orthogonal decomposition to the chaotic responses, contribution of vibration modes to the chaotic responses is confirmed. The following results have been found: The chaotic responses are generated with the ultra-subharmonic resonant response of the two-third order corresponding to the lowest mode of vibration. The Lyapunov dimension shows that three modes of vibration contribute to the chaotic vibrations predominantly. The results of proper orthogonal decomposition confirm that the three modes contribute to the chaos, which are the first, second, and third modes of vibration. Moreover, the results of the proper orthogonal decomposition are evaluated with velocity which is equivalent to kinetic energy. Higher modes of vibration show larger contribution to the chaotic responses, even though the first mode of vibration has the largest contribution ratio.     

Exact solution of supercritical axially moving beams: symmetric and anti-symmetric configurations

We present an exact solution for supercritical configurations of axially moving beams with arbitrary boundary conditions. We take into account the geometric nonlinearity of the traveling beams in supercritical regime, and the nonlinear buckling problem is analytically solved. A closed-form solution for the supercritical configuration in terms of the axial speed is obtained. Some typical boundary conditions, such as fixed-fixed, fixed-pinned and pinned-pinned, are discussed. More importantly, based on the exact solution, we found a new anti-symmetric configuration for the fixed-fixed axially moving beams. The traveling beam may vibrate around the new anti-symmetric configuration at sufficiently high traveling speeds. A good accuracy of the solution is confirmed by a comparison with the data available in the literature, and with our own numerical results.     

On one dynamic problem for structurally inhomogeneous beams

A method is developed for studying the dynamic deformation of structurally inhomogeneous beams consisting of homogeneous isotropic layers with different mechanical characteristics. The method is based on the virtual-displacement principle. The equation of motion is derived in vector and scalar forms for arbitrary loads, boundary conditions, and cross-sections with one and two axes of symmetry. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated by solving, as an example, the dynamic deformation problem for a hinged layered beam with a rectangular cross-section under harmonic loading. Mechanical effects are revealed, which describe the influence of the beam structure and the mechanical properties of beam components on the dynamic compliance in comparison with the relevant homogeneous beam with the same geometry __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 43, No. 11, pp. 90–98, November 2007.     

Stiffness matrices of thin-walled composite beam with mono-symmetric I- and channel-sections on two-parameter elastic foundation

For the coupled analysis of thin-walled composite beam under the initial axial force and on two-parameter elastic foundation with mono-symmetric I- and channel-sections, the stiffness matrices are derived. The stiffness matrices developed by this study are based on the homogeneous forms of simultaneous ordinary differential equations using the eigen-problem. For this, from the elastic strain energy, the potential energy due to the initial axial force and the strain energy considering the foundation effects, the equilibrium equations and force–displacement relationships are derived. The exact displacement functions for displacement parameters are evaluated by determining the eigenmodes corresponding to multiple non-zero and zero eigenvalues. Then the element stiffness matrix is determined using the force–displacement relationships. For the purpose of comparison, the finite element model based on the classical Hermitian interpolation polynomial is presented. In order to verify the accuracy and the superiority of the beam elements developed herein, the numerical solutions are presented and compared with results from the Hermitian beam elements and the ABAQUS’s shell elements. Particularly, the influence of the initial compressive and tensile forces, the fiber orientation, and the boundary conditions on the coupled behavior of composite beam with mono-symmetric I- and channel-sections is parametrically investigated.