Timoshenko Beam Theory: First-Order Analysis, Second-Order Analysis, Stability, and Vibration Analysis Using the Finite Difference Method

This paper presents an approach to the Timoshenko beam theory (TBT) using the finite difference method (FDM). The Timoshenko beam theory covers cases associated with small deflections based on shear deformation and rotary inertia considerations. The FDM is an approximate method for solving problems described with differential equations. It does not involve solving differential equations; equations are formulated with values at selected points of the structure. In addition, the boundary conditions and not the governing equations are applied at the beam’s ends. The model developed in this paper consisted of formulating differential equations with finite differences and introducing additional points at the beam’s ends and at positions of discontinuity (concentrated loads or moments, supports, hinges, springs, brutal change of stiffness, spring-mass system, etc.). The introduction of additional points allowed us to apply the governing equations at the beam’s ends. Moreover, grid points with variable spacing were considered, the grid being uniform within beam segments. First-order, second-order, and vibration analyses of structures were conducted with this model. Furthermore, tapered beams were analyzed (element stiffness matrix, second-order analysis, vibration analysis). Finally, a direct time integration method (DTIM) was presented; the FDM-based DTIM enabled the analysis of forced vibration of structures, with damping taken into account. The results obtained in this paper showed good agreement with those of other studies, and the accuracy was increased through a grid refinement. Especially in the first-order analysis of uniform beams, the results were exact for uniformly distributed and concentrated loads regardless of the grid.

Free vibration analysis of nonlocal nanobeams: a comparison of the one-dimensional nonlocal integral Timoshenko beam theory with the two-dimensional nonlocal integral elasticity theory

Beam theories such as the Timoshenko beam theory are in agreement with the elasticity theory. However, due to the different nonlocal averaging processes, they are expected to yield different results in their nonlocal forms. In the present work, the free vibration behavior of nonlocal nanobeams is studied using the nonlocal integral Timoshenko beam theory (NITBT) and two-dimensional nonlocal integral elasticity theory (2D-NIET) with different kernels and their results are compared. A new kernel, termed the compensated two-phase (CTP) kernel, is introduced, which entirely compensates for the boundary effects and does not suffer from the ill-posedness of previous kernels. Using the finite element method, the free vibration analysis is performed for different boundary conditions based on the first three natural frequencies. For both the NITBT and 2D-NIET with both the two-phase (TP) and CTP kernels, the nonlocal parameter has a softening effect on the natural frequencies for all the boundary conditions, without observing the paradoxical behaviors of the nonlocal differential theory. For both theories, the softening effect of the nonlocal parameter is more pronounced for the TP kernel compared to the CTP kernel. The sensitivity of the 2D-NIET to the nonlocal parameter is found to be higher than that of the NITBT. Also, the softening effects for different vibration modes are compared to each other for both theories and both kernels. The obtained results can be extended for various important beam problems with nonlocal effects and help obtain a better understanding of applicable nonlocal theories.

Timoshenko Beam Theory Exact Solution For Bending, Second-Order Analysis, and Stability

This paper presents an exact solution to the Timoshenko beam theory (TBT) for bending, second-order analysis, and stability. The TBT covers cases associated with small deflections based on shear deformation considerations, whereas the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory neglects shear deformations. A material law (a moment-shear force-curvature equation) combining bending and shear is presented, together with closed-form solutions based on this material law. A bending analysis of a Timoshenko beam was conducted, and buckling loads were determined on the basis of the bending shear factor. First-order element stiffness matrices were calculated. Finally second-order element stiffness matrices were deduced on the basis of the same principle.