Dynamic Finite Element Modelling and Vibration Analysis of Prestressed Layered Bending–Torsion Coupled Beams

Free vibration analysis of prestressed, homogenous, Fiber-Metal Laminated (FML) and composite beams subjected to axial force and end moment is revisited. Finite Element Method (FEM) and frequency-dependent Dynamic Finite Element (DFE) models are developed and presented. The frequency results are compared with those obtained from the conventional FEM (ANSYS, Canonsburg, PA, USA) as well as the Homogenization Method (HM). Unlike the FEM, the application of the DFE formulation leads to a nonlinear eigenvalue problem, which is solved to determine the system’s natural frequencies and modes. The governing differential equations of coupled flexural–torsional vibrations, resulting from the end moment, are developed using Euler–Bernoulli bending and St. Venant torsion beam theories and assuming linear harmonic motion and linearly elastic materials. Illustrative examples of prestressed layered, FML, and unidirectional composite beam configurations, exhibiting geometric bending-torsion coupling, are studied. The presented DFE and FEM results show excellent agreement with the homogenization method and ANSYS modeling results, with the DFE’s rates of convergence surpassing all. An investigation is also carried out to examine the effects of various combined axial loads and end moments on the stiffness and fundamental frequencies of the structure. An illustrative example, demonstrating the application of the presented methods to the buckling analysis of layered beams is also presented.

Advanced non-dimensional dynamic influence function method considering the singularity of the system matrix for accurate eigenvalue analysis of membranes

An advanced non-dimensional dynamic influence function method (NDIF method) for highly accurate free vibration analysis of membranes with arbitrary shapes is proposed in this paper. The existing NDIF method has the weakness of not offering eigenvalues and eigenmodes in the low frequency range when the number of boundary nodes of an analyzed membrane is increased to obtain more accurate result. This paper reveals that the system matrix of the membrane becomes singular in the lower frequency range when the number of the nodes increases excessively. Based on this fact, it provides an efficient way to successfully overcome the weaknesses of the existing NDIF method and still maintain its accuracy. Finally, verification examples show the validity and accuracy of the advanced NDIF method proposed.