An accurate solution method for the vibration analysis of Timoshenko beams with general elastic supports

Abstract

In this investigation, an accurate solution method is presented for the free vibrations of Timoshenko beams with general elastic restraints at the end points, a class of problems which are rarely attempted in the literatures. Unlike in most existing studies where solutions are often developed for a particular type of boundary conditions, the current method can be generally applied to a wide range of boundary conditions with no need of modifying solution algorithms and procedures. Under the current framework, the displacement and rotation functions are generally sought, regardless of boundary conditions, as an improved trigonometric series in which several supplementary functions introduced to remove the potential discontinuities with the displacement components and its derivatives at the end points and accelerated the series expansion. Mathematically, the current Fourier series expansion is an exact solution for a class of problems with the Timoshenko beam such that both the governing equations and the boundary conditions simultaneously satisfy any specified degree of accuracy. The effectiveness and reliability of the presented solution are demonstrated by comparing the present results with those results published in literatures and finite element method data, and numerous new results for beams with elastic boundary restraints is presented, which may serve as benchmark solution for future researches.