Dynamics of Axially Accelerating Beams With an Intermediate Support

The transverse vibrations of an axially accelerating Euler-Bernoulli beam resting on simple supports are investigated. The supports are at the ends, and there is a support in between. The axial velocity is a sinusoidal function of time varying about a constant mean speed. Since the supports are immovable, the beam neutral axis is stretched during the motion, and hence, nonlinear terms are introduced to the equations of motion. Approximate analytical solutions are obtained using the method of multiple scales. Natural frequencies are obtained for different locations of the support other than end supports. The effect of nonlinear terms on natural frequency is calculated for different parameters. Principal parametric resonance occurs when the velocity fluctuation frequency is equal to approximately twice of natural frequency. By performing stability analysis of solutions, approximate stable and unstable regions were identified. Effects of axial velocity and location of intermediate support on the stability regions have been investigated. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4003205]