Response of finite periodic beams to convected loading-an approximate method

Abstract

The space-averaged response of a finite, periodic beam on transversely rigid supports and subjected to convected loading has been studied by using an approximate "assumed mode" method. The method has also been shown to yield accurate results for both the real and the imaginary parts of the propagation constant for free wave motion in an infinite periodic beam. With a simple choice of mode, even a one term solution is found to yield very accurate results in both the cases. The method has been applied only to uniform beams in this paper, but it should be readily applicable to periodic systems consisting of non-uniform beam elements.