Wave localization in randomly disordered multi-coupled multi-span beams on elastic foundations

In this paper, the wave propagation and localization in randomly disordered periodic multi-span beams on elastic foundations are studied. For two kinds of beams, i.e. the multi-span beams on elastic foundations with periodic flexible and simple supports, the transfer matrices between two consecutive sub-spans are obtained by means of the continuity conditions. The algorithm for determining all the Lyapunov exponents in continuous dynamic systems presented by Wolf et al. is employed to calculate those in discrete dynamic systems. The localization factor characterizing the average exponential rates of growth or decay of wave amplitudes along the disordered beams is defined as the smallest positive Lyapunov exponent of the discrete dynamical system. The localization length that represents the distance of elastic waves propagating along the disordered periodic structures is defined as the reciprocal of the smallest positive Lyapunov exponent, i.e. the localization factor. For the two kinds of disordered periodic beams on elastic foundations, the numerical results of the localization factors are presented and analysed by comparing them with the results of the beams without elastic foundations to illustrate the effects of the elastic foundations on the wave propagation and localization. The effects of the disorder of span-length and the dimensionless torsional and linear spring stiffness on the localization factors are discussed. Moreover, the localization lengths are also calculated and discussed for certain structural parameters in disordered periodic structures. It can be observed from the results that ordered periodic multi-span beams have the characteristics of the frequency passbands and stopbands and the localization of elastic waves can occur in disordered periodic systems: the localization degree of elastic waves is strengthened with the increase of the coefficient of variation of the span-length. The influences of the elastic foundations on the wave propagation and localization are more complicated. Generally speaking, in lower-frequency regions the elastic foundations have pronounced effects on the spectral structures, but in higher-frequency regions the effects are negligible. The localization degree increases as the torsional spring stiffness increases. The linear spring has few effects on the spectral structures in higher-frequency regions, but in lower-frequency regions it has prominent effects. The larger the disorder degree, the shorter the non-dimensional localization length.