A MATRIX METHODOLOGY FOR SPECTRAL-ANALYSIS OF WAVE-PROPAGATION IN MULTIPLE CONNECTED TIMOSHENKO BEAMS

The dynamics of the Timoshenko beam is recast such that the description requires information only at the end points. This is then presented in the form of a dynamic stiffness relation suitable for assembling, as is done analogously for conventional finite elements. The analysis gives the exact frequency dependent response for the Timoshenko beam irrespective of the length of the element. The frequency domain response is converted to the time domain response using the Fast Fourier Algorithm (FFT). Examples of its use in wave propagation studies are given. © 1992.