A novel finite element model for vibration analysis of rotating tapered Timoshenko beam of equal strength

Abstract

A new finite element model based on the coupled displacement field and the tapering functions of the beam is formulated for transverse vibrations of rotating Timoshenko beams of equal strength. In the coupled displacement field, the polynomial coefficients of transverse displacement and cross-sectional rotation are coupled through consideration of the differential equations of equilibrium. The tapering functions of breadth and depth of the beam are obtained from the principle of equal strength in the longitudinal direction of the beam. After finding the displacement functions using the tapering functions, the stiffness and mass matrices are expressed by using the strain and kinetic energy equations. A semi-symbolic computer program in Mathematica is developed and subsequently used to evaluate the new model. The results of the illustrative example regarding the problem indicated in the title of this paper are obtained and compared with the results found from the models created in ABAQUS. Very good agreement is found between the results of new model and the other results. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.