Source:

Young, C.Y. and Budynas, R. G. 2003. Roark’s Formulas for stress and strain. 7th Ed.
McGraw-Hill (Table 16.7 p765)

An alumium beam simply supported at both ends. Determine the first two natural
frequencies and associated mode shapes given the following data:

Length of beam L := 0.8m

Depth of beam d := 0.003m

Breadth of beam b := 0.025m

kg
Density Ro := 2700
3
m

GN
Modulus of elaticity E := 62
2
m

m
Gravitational constant g = 9.807
2
s

Derived values:
3
d − 11 4
Second moment of area I := b  = 5.625  10 m
12

N
Weight / unit length w := Ro b  d  g = 1.986
m
 0.5
  E I
9.97 g 
First natural frequency f1 := = 10.289 Hz
and associated mode shape 2 π  4 
 w L 

Nodal position

0.5
  E I
39.5 g 
Second natural frequency f2 := = 40.764 Hz
and associated mode shape 2 π  4 
 w L 

0.5
88.8  g  = 91.643 Hz
Second natural frequency f3 :=  E I
and associated mode shape 2 π  4 
 w L 