MECH 364

Assignment 5

Problems from the book: 6.16, 6.17, 6.19, 6.20, 6.21, 6.32
6.16

(a)

A beam in transverse vibration is represented by the equation

2
2 v ( x, t )
2 v ( x, t )
EI

A
f ( x, t )
x 2
x 2
t 2
(i) Define the parameters E, I, , A and the variables t, x, f, and v in this
equation.
(ii) What are the assumptions made in deriving this equation?
(b)

Prove that the mode shape functions Yi ( x) of the beam in Part (a) are

orthogonal.
(c)

For a simply supported beam with uniform cross-section, it can be shown

that the mode shape functions are given by

Yi ( x) sin

ix
i 1, 2,
l

Express the natural frequencies i corresponding to these modes, in terms

of E, I, , A, l, and the mode number i.
Now use the parameter values l = 10 m; E = 1.07 106 N/m2; I = 1.2 10-2 m4; =
2.4 103 kg/ m3; A = 0.1 m2. Assume that the initial shape of the beam is (at t = 0)
given by
d x v x,0 8 104 x2 8 103 x

This is a parabola with a deflection of 0.02 m at the mid span of the beam.
Determine the free response at the mid span of the beam to this initial deflection,
using (a) first mode only (i.e., n = 1); (b) first three modes (i.e., n = 3); and (c)
first five modes (i.e., n = 5).

6.17

(a)

Compare and contrast linear, lumped-parameter systems and distributed

parameter systems, considering for example the nature of their
(i)

equations of motion

(ii)

natural frequencies

(iii)

mode shapes.

What are possible practical problems that might arise when a distributed
parameter system is approximated by a lumped parameter system?

(b)

Consider the Bernoulli-Euler beam equation that is given by

2
2v
2v
EI

A
f ( x, t )
x 2
x 2
t 2
(i)

Define all the parameters and variables in this equation.

(ii)

What are the assumptions

(iii)

What are the analytical steps involved in solving for natural

frequencies and mode shapes of this system?

(iv)

What analytical steps could be followed in obtaining the response

of the beam to a specified forcing function f ( x, t ) ?

(v)

Suppose that the beam is simply supported and a constant force F0

moves along the beam at constant speed u0 from one end to the
other. What is f ( x, t ) in this case?

6.19

For mode shapes of a thin and non-uniform beam in bending vibration show that
the orthogonality condition
2
d 2 Yi ( x ) d Y j ( x )
EI ( x) dx 2 dx 2 dx 0 for i j
0
l

holds under common boundary conditions. The parameter EI represents flexural

stiffness of the beam.

6.20

One way of normalizing the mode shapes Yi ( x) of a beam in transverse vibration

is according to
l

AYi
0

dx Adx for all i

0

Note that the right hand side integral is equal to the beam mass. Determine the
normalized mode shape functions according to this approach for a simply
supported beam of uniform cross-section.

6.21

A nonuniform beam is excited in the transverse direction by a distributed

harmonic force of
f ( x, t ) f ( x) sin t

as sketched in Figure P6.21.

Determine the resulting transverse response v(x,t) of the beam for initial
conditions
v( x,0) d ( x) and

v
( x,0) s( x)
t

What is the steady-state response, assuming very light damping?

Specialize your results to the case of a uniform simply-supported beam.
Assume that the usual parameters E, I, , A, and l of the beam are known.

f(x) sint

x
EI(x), , A(x), l

y, v(x,t)
Figure P6.21 A beam excited by a transverse, distributed, harmonic force.
6.32
a) Compare and contrast the modal analysis of lumped-parameter systems and
distributed-parameter systems, by indicating similarities and dissimilarities of the
formulation and the procedures.
b) A footbridge across a creek is approximated by a uniform simply-supported beam,
as sketched in Figure P6.32. A person of weight Mg sits at the midspan of the
bridge and then suddenly jumps into the creek. The subsequent complete response
v(x,t) of the bridge is to be determined. Note that E, I , and A are usual
parameters of the beam, and l is the beam length.

i.

What is the partial differential equation that governs the motion v(x,t) of
the bridge?

ii.

What are the boundary conditions for v(x,t)?

iii.

Explain the procedure for obtaining the mode shapes Yi(x) and the natural
frequencies i of the bridge. Express Yi(x) and i in terms of the
parameters given in Figure P6.32.

iv.

Determine the modal initial conditions qi(0) and q i 0 for the problem.
You must give details of your derivations.

v.

Determine an expression for qi(t) in terms of the given parameters. You

must give details of the derivations.

vi.

Give an expression for v(x,t)

l/2
l

0
E, I , r , A
x

Mg

Figure P6.32 A simplified model of a footbridge over a creek.