Dynamic response analysis of Euler–Bernoulli beam on spatially random transversely isotropic viscoelastic soil

A novel dynamic soil-structure interaction model is developed for analysis for Euler–Bernoulli beam rests on a spatially random transversely isotropic viscoelastic foundation subjected to moving and oscillating loads. The dynamic equilibrium equation of beam-soil system is established using the extended Hamilton's principle, and the corresponding partial differential equations describing the displacement of beam and soil and boundary conditions are further obtained by the variational principles. These partial differential equations are discretized in spatial and time domains and solved by the finite difference (FD) method. After the differential equations of beam and soil are discretized in the spatial domain, the implicit iterative scheme is used to solve the equations in the time domain. The solving result shows the FD method is effective and convenient for solving the differential equations of beam-soil system. The spring foundation model adopted the modified Vlasov model, which is a two-parameter model considering the compression and shear of soil. The advantage of the present foundation model is avoided estimating input parameters of the modified Vlasov model using prior knowledge. The present solution is verified by publishing solution and equivalent three-dimensional FE analysis. The present model produced an accurate, faster, and effective displacement response. A few examples are carried out to analyze the parameter variation influence for beam on spatially random transversely isotropic viscoelastic soil under moving loads.

Energy harvesting from railway slab-tracks with continuous slabs

This paper contributes to the literature and development of knowledge in the topic of energy harvesting by presenting the modelling and calculations of energy from vibration of railway tracks due to moving trains on floating-slab tracks with continuous slabs, considering both the quasi-static and dynamic effects. The floating-slab track is modelled as a double Euler–Bernoulli beam connected by continuous spring and damper elements. The dynamic excitation is accounted for by considering the un-sprung axles of a passing train with a number of coaches. The dynamic excitation is simulated using randomly generated unevenness from standard functions of power spectral density . The responses of rails’ beam and slab are calculated for different unevenness realizations, and then used as inputs for a base-excited single-degree-of-freedom system that models the harvester. The change in the harvested energy is investigated due to the change of natural frequency of the harvester, the change of condition of track and change of train’s velocity. The parameters used in this paper correspond to tracks and trains for Doha metro and unevenness information from the literature. The results show that more energy can be harvested by tuning the harvester’s natural frequency to the frequency of axle-track resonance. It is found that a maximum mean-energy can be harvested from the rails of 0.35 J/kg for a train moving at 100 km/h for a track with poor condition and this is obtained at the axle-track resonance frequency. For the same track condition, a reduction of about 55% and 61% is observed for train’s velocities of 70 km/h and 40 km/h, respectively. Using a track with medium and good conditions resulted in reduction of the mean harvested energy at the axle-track resonance by 73.5% and 99.9%, respectively.

STABILIZATION OF THE GENERALIZED RAO-NAKRA BEAM BY PARTIAL VISCOUS DAMPING

In this paper, we consider the stabilization of the generalized Rao-Nakra beam equation, which consists of four wave equations for the longitudinal displacements and the shear angle of the top and bottom layers and one Euler-Bernoulli beam equation for the transversal displacement. Dissipative mechanism are provided through viscous damping for two displacements. The location of the viscous damping are divided into two groups, characterized by whether both of the top and bottom layers are directly damped or otherwise. Each group consists of three cases. We obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions for the cases in group two to be strongly stable. Furthermore, polynomial stability of certain orders are proved. The cases in group one are left for future study.

Dynamic Response Analysis of a Forced Fractional Viscoelastic Beam ∗

In this paper, dynamic response analysis of a forced fractional viscoelastic beam under moving external load is studied. The beauty of this study is that the effect of values of fractional order, the effect of internal damping, and the effect of intensity value of the moving force load on the dynamic response of the beam are analyzed. Constitutive equations for fractional order viscoelastic beam are constructed in the manner of Euler–Bernoulli beam theory. Solution of the fractional beam system is obtained by using Bernoulli collocation method. Obtained results are presented in the tables and graphical forms for two different beam systems, which are polybutadiene beam and butyl B252 beam.

An Accurate Estimation of the Eigenfrequency of an Offshore Wind Turbine Considered as the Stepped Euler-Bernoulli Beam in Three-Spring Flexible Foundation Using the Power Series Method

The present study employs the power series method (PSM) to accurately predict the natural frequencies of eleven offshore wind turbines (OWT). This prediction is very important as it helps in the quick verification of experimental or finite element results. This study idealizes the OWT as a stepped Euler-Bernoulli beam carrying a top mass and connected at its bottom to a flexible foundation. The first part of the beam represents a monopile and the transition piece while its second part is a tower. The foundation is modeled using three springs (lateral, rotational, and cross-coupling springs). This work’s aim is at improving therefore the previous researches, in which the whole wind turbine was taken as a single beam, with a tower being tapered and its wall thickness being negligible compared to its diameter. In order to be closer to real-life OWT, three profiles of the tapered tower are explored: case 1 considers a tower with constant thickness along its height. Case 2 assumes a tower’s thickness being negligible compared to its mean diameter, while case 3 describes the tower as a tapered beam with varying thickness along its height. Next, the calculated natural frequencies are compared to those obtained from measurements. Results reveal that case 2, used by previous researches, was only accurate for OWT with tower wall thickness lower than 15 mm. Frequencies produced in case 3 are the most accurate as the relative error is up to 0.01%, especially for the OWT with thicknesses higher or equal to 15 mm. This case appears to be more realistic as, practically, wall thickness of a wind tower varies with its height. The tower-to-pile thickness ratio is an important design parameter as it highly has impact on the natural frequency of OWT, and must therefore be taken into account during the design as well as lateral and rotational coupling springs.

Numerical Solution of Fourth-Order Boundary Value Problems for Euler-Bernoulli Beam Equation using FDM

Euler-Bernoulli beam equation is widely used in engineering, especially civil and mechanical engineering to determine the deflection or strength of bending beam. In physical science and engineering, to predict the deflection for beam problem, bending moment, soil settlement and modeling of viscoelastic flows, fourth-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) is widely used. The analytical solution of most of the higher order ordinary differential equations with complicated boundary condition that occur in any engineering problems is not easy way. Therefore, numerical technique based on finite difference method (FDM) is comparatively easy and important for solving the boundary value problems (BVP). In this study four boundary conditions (Neumann condition) are considered for solving BVP. Absolute error calculation, numerical stability and convergence are discussed. Two examples are considered to illustrate the finite difference method for solving fourth order BVP. The numerical results are rapidly converged with exact results. The results shows that the FDM is appropriate and reliable for such type of problems. Thus present study will enhance the mathematical understanding of engineering students along with an application in different field.