ON THE DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURAL

ELEMENTS CARRYING ELASTICALLY MOUNTED,

CONCENTRATED MASSES

P. A. A. LAURA,a E. A. SUSEMIHL,b J. L. POMBOf L. E. LUISONI~ a n d R. GELOSe

a Director and Principal Investigator, CONICET. b Scientist, S E N I D . c Scientist, CON1CET.

n Research Engineer, CONICET. e Research Engineer, CONICET.

Institute o f Applied Mechanics, Base Naval Puerto Belgrano (Argentina)

SUMMAR Y

The present paper deals with the analysis of certain dynamic aspects of the blhaviour
of beams and plates which support elastically mounted masses.
Shear and rotatory inertia effects are not taken into account in the present investiga-
tion. An exact solution is presented in the case of a simply supported beam.
This solution can be easily extended to the problem of a simply supported rectangular
plate.
It is also shown that use of a variational formulation leads to accurate and simple
expressions for natural frequencies and dynamic displacements and stresses which are
ideal from a designer's viewpoint. The case of supports elastically restrained against
rotation is also considered.
The experimental phase of the investigation shon;ed good agreement with experi-
mental results.

1. INTRODUCTION

Naval and mechanical engineers are very often confronted with the problem of
mounting different varieties of engines and motors on structural elements. In order
to avoid dangerous resonance situations, the designer must be able to predict
natural frequencies of the overall mechanical system: structure-motor and its
elastic mounting.
Ultimately he should also determine mode shapes and dynamic stresses induced
by any dynamic disturbance generated by the engine (Fig. l).
121
Applied Acoustics (10) ( 1 9 7 7 ) - - © Applied Science Publishers Ltd, England, 1977
Printed in G r e a t Britain
122 P. A. A. LAURA, E. A. SUSEMIHL, J. L. POMBO, L. E. LUISONI, R. GELOS

Several papers have been written on the subject but in general it is assumed that
the mass is rigidly attached to a beam or plate. 1-6
The present paper deals with the solution of a few simple but practical problems
considering several types of structural elements and boundary conditions.

Motor Mof
Mass t
(t): Dynamic
Disturbanc

Elastic , . . • .

Fig. I. Mass m o t o r elastically m o u n t e d on a structural element.

The investigation reported herein belongs to a broad but detailed long-range

research plan aimed at the improvement of the dynamic design of structural
elements. More specifically, the ultimate goal is to provide the basis for more
rational design procedures.

2. THE CASE OF A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

Consider the mechanical system shown in Fig. 2. If one neglects shear deformation
and rotatory inertia effects, the dynamic behaviour of the system is described by the
equations:
E104w(x'
Ox 4
t) 02w
+ pA -~T = F(t)6(x -- ;~) (1)

~2 W
w ( x , t) = ~ x 2 = 0 (x = O , L ) (2)

where E = Young's modulus; I = moment of inertia; p and ,4 = density of cross-

sectional area of the beam and 6 ( x - ~) = Dirac's delta function o f argument
(x - ~).
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 123

The functional relation F(t) denotes the action of the spring-mass system on the
beam (Fig. 2).

F,-e jo.)t

x:O 7- f

ILiliilll ll]llllIllllll JLlJlJJl]JlJlJJJiJ:JlilllJJIJlJlIIJJJil]l

/___N
x='~

Fig. 2. Simply s u p p o r t e d b e a m carrying a concentrated m a s s elastically m o u n t e d o n the structure.

Let z I be the displacement of M at any given instant and z2 the displacement of

the other spring end. One immediately obtains:
d2zl
g - ~ i ~- = k(z2 - zl) + Fo . exp (icot) (3)

Making z2 = wA. exp (iogt) and replacing in eqn. (3) results in the ordinary
differential equation:
d2z
M-~-~ + kz = - - ( o 9 2 . g . w A + F o ) e x p (iogt) (4)

where:
Z ~ Z 2 -- Z 1
The particular solution of eqn. (4) is given by:
~2.M.wA + Fo
z = o92M - k exp (Rot) (5)

The action of the spring-mass system then results:

~o2.M.w~ + Fo
F(t) = - k . z = 1 - o92M/k exp (imt) (6)

Taking now:
w(x, t) = W(x) exp (icot) (7)
124 P. A. A. L A U R A , E. A. SUSEMIHL, J. L. POMBO, L. E. LUISONI, R. G E L O S

and replacing eqns. (6) and (7) in eqn. (1) one obtains:

d4W 0)2 M . W~ + Fo 6(x 7) (8)

EI~ - pA.w2W = "
d x '~ 1 - 0)2 M / k

Let W ( x ) and 3(x - 7) be expanded in terms of the infinite set of modal functions
of the structure sin (nnx/L):

W(x) = b..sin ~ (9(a))

n=l

nT[x
6 ( x - ~,) = x ~ c.. sin (9(b))
n=l
L
where:
2fL nzrx 2ntc,
c. = 3(x -- y) sin - - dx = - sin - - (9(c))
o L L L

Substituting eqns. (9) into eqn. (8) results in the expression:

E1 - p . A 0 ) 2 b. sin ~.

oc

Fo + eo2M E bi s i n J__~__
~

J=| L2n~ l nrc)'.sinnnX

= 1 ~-~-Y'M~" = sin L ~ (10)

From the analysis of eqn. (I0) one concludes immediately that the b.'s are
solutions of an infinite number of equations since, equating like terms, one obtains:
00

--~ - p . A 0 ) 2 b. = 1 - 0)2M/k L T (11)

It is convenient to introduce the following definitions:

0)0 = 17 :=: (/)1

[EI]'~ ( L ) 2 a)l
Wn = \ p A ] = 0)1n 2 6 = Wo
(12)
0)I = ~' = --
L
M
pAL
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 125

From eqns. (12) one can easily show that:

62 = 6ol 2 EIn4M /(M/pAL)] n* = m_ n ,

(13)
(002 = p.A.L4.k = [(k/EI/L3)] r
where:
k
r =
EI/L 3

Substituting eqns. (12) and (13) into eqn. (11) results in the expression:
,~, (n 4 - 02)(1 - r/262) sin (nn~')
sin (nnr') /21/b'j sin (jnT') - 2mq2 b'. = 2mr/2 (14)

where:
pAre 12L pAEIn4L Eln 4
b'i = 2F-"-'~ bl = p A L 4 . 2 F o bl = 2FoL 3 bi

7' = 7/L
Defining:

A = {aifl= ] all

a.21 a22

k an 1
a12

an2
•..

...

• "•
aln 1

a2,

ann
.j
V2 (IS)
V ~ {/3i} ~--- --n
Lb.J
f sin ( ina') sin (jrca')
alilsin2 (jna') - (j4 _ r/2)(1 _ r/262)
i ~ j

~m--~m
~~ i =j

sin (in0~')
vl = 2mr/2

One can express eqn. (14) in matrix notation:

Ab' = v (16)
The solution of the free vibrations problem is attained making Yo = 0 in eqn.
(l 1). The natural frequency coefficients rh are roots of the secular determinant:
det A(r/i ) = 0 (17)
The amplitudes of motion in the case of forced vibrations are given by:
126 P. A. A. LAURA, E. A. SUSEMIHL, J. L. POMBO, L. E. LUISONI, R. GELOS

(18)
tl n

Making:
W*(x) = EIW(x). x' = x_
Fo L3 ' L
and substituting into eqn. 08) one obtains:

W*(x) = ~ b', sin (19)

n

Bending moment and shear force amplitudes are calculated using well known
expressions from the strength of materials theory. For instance, the amplitudes of
bending moments are given by:
d2W
[M(x)l = - E1 dx----T (20)

Substitution of eqn. (18)into eqn. (20)yields:

IM(x)l = E1 ~ (7) 2 b,. sin (nnx')

n

Elrt2 2FoL 3 Eln4

- L2 Eln4 ~ n 2 2~oL3 b, sin (nnx')
n

2
= FoL -~ ~ , nZb', sin (nnx') (21)
n

Defining a dimensionless parameter:

M*(x) = IM(x)l (22)

FoL
one finally obtains:
2
M*(x) = 7T ~.._,nZb', sin (nnx') (23)

2.1. Numerical results

Tables 1 through 7 depict values of amplitudes of displacement and bending
moments for several values of the parameters M/My; ~/L; k/EI/L 3 as the frequency
ratio ~o/¢oo varies.
Reference 7 contains numerical information on the subject when the exciting
force is applied directly to the beam. The equations derived in the present investiga-
 TABLE 1
COMPARISON OF AMPLITUDES OF DYNAMIC DISPLACEMENTS IN THE CENTRE OF
A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

to/coX~Xk~,' = ~,/L 0-1 0.3 0"5

0'1 0-006230* 0.016667 0.021041

0-006236"I 0"016667 0"021026
0-3 0.006794 0-018143 0-022864
0-006800 0-018142 0.022849
0.5 0"008281 0.022037 0-027678
0.008287 0.022036 0-027663
0.7 0'012261 0.032459 0"040562
0.012267 0.032458 0"040547
0.9 0.033213 0.087313 0.108367
0'033219 0.087313 0.108352

* Reference 7, p. 103.
~"Values obtained in the present investigation:
M/M,, = 10-1o; k/EI/L 3 = 107.

TABLE 2
DYNAMIC AMPLITUDES AS A FUNCTION OF x/L FOR SEVERAL VALUES OF (D/tO 1 AND y/L (M/My = 0.20;
k/EI/L3 = 1)
M/My = 0'20 k/EI/L 3 = I
x/L to/o91 = 0.10 0.30 0.50 0.70 0-90

0 0 0 0 0 0
0-10 0-00335 0.00379 0.00086 0'00053 0.00074
0.20 0.00587 0.00667 0.00153 0.00097 0-00138
0'30 0-00732 0.00837 0.00194 0.00126 0.00186
0.40 0.00789 0-00908 0.00214 0-00141 0.00214
0"50 y/L = 0.1 0.00775 0.00897 0.00213 0-00143 0.00222
0'60 0.00696 0.00809 0.00194 0.00132 0.00209
0.70 0.00565 0-00659 0.00159 0.00109 0.00176
0'80 0.00398 0-00465 0-00113 0-00078 0.00127
0.90 0.00207 0.00242 0.00059 0.00041 0.00067
! .00 0.00000 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0.10 0.00734 0.00812 0.00191 0-00122 0-00174
0.20 0.01380 0.01528 0.00359 0"00231 0.00331
0.30 0-01847 0.02050 0-00484 0-00314 0.00453
0.40 0.02078 0-023 ! 4 0.00550 0.00360 0.00527
0.50 0-02077 0-02322 0.00556 0-00368 0.00549
0-60 y/L = 0"3 0.01888 0'02118 0-0051 ! 0"00342 0'00517
0'70 0"01551 0-01744 0"00423 0'00286 0.00437
0-80 0-01097 0'01237 0-00301 0"00205 0.00316
0-90 0.00566 0.00639 0-00156 0'00107 0.00165
1.00 0.00000 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0.10 0.00779 0.00857 0.00207 0.00137 0.00201
0.20 0.01492 0-01641 0-00396 0-00262 0-00384
0'30 0.02081 0.02287 0.00550 0'00363 0.00529
0.40 0.02481 0.02723 0.00654 0.00430 0.00624
0"50 )'/L = 0'5 0"02625 0-02880 0'00691 0"00454 0.00657
0"60 0'0248 ! 0'02723 0'00654 0"00430 0'00624
0"70 0-02081 0"02287 0;00550 0"00363 0.00529
0.80 0"01492 0'01641 0.00396 0"00262 0.00384
0.90 0'00779 0.00857 0.00207 0"00137 0.00201
1.00 0 0 0 0 0
128 P. A. A. LAURA, K. A. SUSKMIHL, J. L. POMBO, I,. E. I_UISONI. R. GELOS

TABLE 3
DYNAMIC AMPLITUDES AS A FUNCTIONOF x/L (M/M,. - I'0; k/EI/L 3 :- 1,0)

M/M,, = 1.0 k/El/L3 : I

xlL <o/co i = 0-I 0 0.30 0.50 0.70 0-90

0 0 0 0 0 0
0-10 0-11576 0-00037 0.00014 0-00001 0.00014
0.20 0.20292 0.00065 0-00025 0-00018 0-00026
0.30 0-25290 0.00081 0.00032 0.00023 0.00035
0-40 0.27254 000088 0.00035 0.00026 0.00041
0"50 7/L = 0.1 0.26785 0.00087 0.00035 0.00026 0.00042
0.60 0.24066 0.00079 0.00032 0.00024 0.00040
0.70 0.19509 0.00064 0.00026 0.00020 0.00033
0.80 0-13741 0.00045 0-00019 0-00014 0.00024
0.90 0.07143 0.00024 0.00001 0.00007 0-00013
10 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0
0-10 0-51324 0.00080 0.00032 0.00022 0.00033
0.20 0-96493 0.00151 0.00060 0.00042 0.00063
0.30 1.29178 0.00203 0.00081 0.00056 0.00086
0.40 1.45334 0.00229 0.00091 0-00066 0-00100
0.50 v/L = 0.3 1.45277 0-00229 0.00093 0-00068 0-00104
0.60 1.32040 0.00209 0.00085 0-00063 0.00098
0.70 1.08448 0.00172 0.00070 0.00052 0.00083
0.80 0-76729 0.00122 0.00050 0-00038 0.00060
0.90 0.39593 0.00063 0.00026 0.00020 0-00032
1.00 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0
0.10 1.14894 0.00085 0.00034 0.00025 0.00038
0.20 2.20135 0"00163 0.00066 0.00048 0.00073
0.30 3-07054 0.00228 0.00092 0.00067 0.00101
0.40 3.66117 0.00271 0.00110 0.00079 0.00119
0.50 ~,/L = 0.5 3.87348 0.00287 0.00115 0.00083 0.00125
0.60 3.66117 0.00271 0.00110 0-00079 0.00119
0.70 3.07054 0.00228 0.00092 0.00067 0.00101
0-80 2-20135 0-00163 0.00066 0.00048 0.00073
0.90 1-14894 0.00085 0.00034 0.00025 0-00038
1.00 0 0 0 0 0

TABLE 4
COMPARISON OF DYNAMIC BENDING MOMENT
AMPLITUDES M/FoL (y/L = 0.5)

cologi Reference 21 M/My = 10- l o

k / E I / L 3 = 108

0'1 0"252 0.250

0-3 0.270 0.268
0'5 0.318 0.316
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 129

TABLE 5
DYNAMIC BENDING MOMENT AMPLITUDES: IM[/FoL (7/L = 0'1; M / M o = 1 0 - 1 ° ; k/EI/L3 = 108)

CO/to I
x/L 0"10 0'30 0"50 0.70 0.90

0'10 0"08819 0.09001 0.09477 0.10724 0-17116

0"30 0"07053 0-07517 0.08734 0"11958 0-28750
0"50 0"05063 0"05617 0.07082 0.11006 0"31678
0.70 0"03049 0-03486 0'04646 0.07782 0-24453
0-90 0"01019 0-01183 0"01621 0-02811 0"09178

TABLE 6
DYNAMIC BENDING MOMENT AMPLITUDES: IMI/FoL (7/L = 0"30; M / M v = 1 0 - 1 o ; k/El/L3 = 108)

tO/tO I
x/L 0.10 0'30 0.50 0.70 0-90

0"I0 0"07053 0-07517 0"08734 0-11958 0"28750

0"30 0-20934 0.22136 0"25293 0"33688 0-77589
0"50 0'15165 0"16620 0-20462 0"30746 0"84882
0'70 0'09131 0"10286 0'13349 0"21599 0'65300
0'90 0"03049 0"03486 0.04646 0'07782 0"24453

TABLE 7
DYNAMIC BENDING MOMENT AMPLITUDES: IMI/FoL (7/L = 0"10; M/M~, = 1 ; k/EI/L 3 = I)
(O/tO 1
x/L 0.10 0.30 0.50 0.70 ' 0.90

0- I 0 3 "39142 0.01155 0.00404 0-00228 0"00218

0"30 3"03217 0-00965 0.00373 0.00255 0"00365
0-50 2' 17674 0-00721 0"00302 0.00234 0"00402
0"70 i'31107 0'00447 0-00198 0.00166 0'00310
0-90 0'43793 0-00152 0'00069 0.00060 0"00116

tion should degenerate properly into those obtained in reference 7 as M / M v

approaches zero and k / E I / L 3 approaches infinity.
In order to carry out this comparison it was decided to take numerical values
for the parameters which would give an idea of the trend of the present analytical
solution. Accordingly, Tables l and 4 show a comparison of results when M / M o =
10- io; k / E I / L s = l0 s. The agreement between numerical results is quite good.
One can see in all cases the influence of all the parameters involved. Tables 5 and
6 illustrate very clearly the fact that the maximum bending moment amplitude
displaces towards the centre of the beam as the exciting frequency increases.
The extremely high values of ] M I / F o . L corresponding to ~o/o91 = 0-10 in the
case of Table 7 indicate'the proximity of a resonance situation.
Fifty terms of the expansion defined in eqns. (9) and (1 l) have been taken in all
cases.
130 P.A.A. LAURA, E. A. SUSEM1HL, J. L. POMBO, L. E. LUISONI, R. GELOS

3. BEAMS WITH ENDS ELASTICALLY RESTRAINED AGAINST ROTATION

In this case, the governing differential system is defined by eqn. (8) and the boundary
conditions (Fig. 3):

I M ]
/ lJllJllllfJllJllIJIJJJJJJJ []]llllll]lllllllll
×'-'~

Fig. 3. B e a m with ends elastically restrained against rotation.

W(L/2) = 0 (24(a))

~ (L/2) d 2W
= - tpE. l.--d~x2 (L/Z) (24(b))

where ~0 is the flexibility coefficient of the supports (in the case of a rigid clamp
q~ = 0 and for a simply supported beam ~o = oo).
Since the modal functions involve non-trigonometric and hyperbolic functions,
it will be shown that it is more convenient to make use of a variational formulation.
The solution of the differential system is expressed in terms o f . a polynomial
expansion where each co-ordinate function satisfies identically the boundary
conditions. Substitution of the polynomial expression in eqn. (8) results in an error
or residual function. The Galerkin method is then used to minimise the error
expression. It is quite convenient to express W in the form:
N
W "~ E Aj(otyx'* + flix2 -t- l)x J (25)
jffi0

where ~tj and fly are obtained substituting each co-ordinate function in eqn. (24).
For instance, as a first approximation one can take the first term of eqn. (25).
The approximate solution is then given by:
W a ---- Ao(0~o X4 "4" flo X2 d- 1) (26)
For the free vibrations problem one makes F o -- 0 and, substituting eqn. (26),
one obtains the error function:
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUROF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 131

e(x) = 2 4 ~ o E I - pAo92(tXoX4 + flo x2 4- I)

to2M
(CtoXa 4- flox 2 4- 1)3(x - 7) (27)
1 - o92M/k
The coefficients cto and flo are given by:
•1 ~o'+1
flo = - 1 + a (Lf2)2 (28)
% = (L/2) 4 5¢p' + 1
where:
~pE.I.
U2
Galerkin's m e t h o d requires that the error function be orthogonal with respect
to each co-ordinate function. Accordingly one sets:

f LI2 ~(X)(~OX4 4- flOX2 4- l ) d x = 0

-LI2
(29)

The following frequency equation is then obtained:

O94pAL N 1 -- o92 E . I . L . N 2 + p A . L . N ~ + ~ M N 3 + E . I . L . N 2 = 0 (30)

= ~z L 8 ~fl -6 f12 L'* + ~ L 4 + f l LZ 4- ~1 (31(a))

N, + +-WO

N 2 = "3~ ~2L4 + otflL 2 + 12ct (31(b))

N3 = (0~),4 + fl)~2 + 1)2

The roots o f eqn. (30) are then given by:
L4 l k l k
002 pAL'* --f N: 4- 2M/M"'----~EI['-~ N, 4- -~ EI/L------$ Na
"El = N1

N2 + 2M/M-------~EI/LaN! + 4 MFMvEI/L 3 IN2

-T- NI (32)

Equation (32) yields the two lowest natural frequencies o f the coupled system
beam-spring-concentrated mass.
Clearly, the approximation defined by eqn. (26) is p o o r in the case of a forced
vibration problem if one is interested in predicting displacements and stresses.
Taking a two-term approximation:
132 P . A . A . LAURA, E.. A. SUSEMIHL J. L. POMBO, L. E. LUISONI, R. GELOS

W a = Ao(C(o x4 + flo x2 + 1) + A l ( ~ l x 4 + /61 x2 + ] ) x (33)

and applying the procedure previously described, one obtains"

w(x,t)~-tAo[16~'O(L)4- 8 ~ ' O ( L ) e + 1]

+ L.Aj [ 16~'1 - 8fl' 1 (;)' (;)])

+ exp(i~t) (34)

where:
(R1/R3) - [(RIR2 + R1R42 + R:Rs2)/(R2R3)](¢o/(Oo) 2
Ao =
Folk

Folk RIRa
L . A j = (R1/R3) _ [(R1R2 + RjR42 + R2R32)/(R2R3)](oa/Oao) 2 'R2R3

R 3 ~ N 3

R,I" ~ N 4

NI = 76"8e'o 2 - 256CC'o/~'o + 384~'o

N2 = 0 " l l l l l ~ ' o 2 - 0"571428~'ofl'o + 0"8fl'o 2 + 0"4C~'o - 1"3333/?'o + 1
N 3 = 16~'oO'/L) 4 - 8/~'o('Y/L) 2 + 1
N,, = 16~'~(~//L) 5 - 8~'t(~/L) 3 + (?,/L)
N5 = 6 8 " 5 7 1 4 2 8 a ' j 2 - 192c~'1/~'1 + 160a'j
N 6 = 0"0227272~'12 _ 0"11111~'1/T1 + 0"1428571TI 2

+ 0"0714286~'z - 0"2,B'~ + 0"083333

Ct'o -- ~oL'*/16; fl'o = floL2/8

161 + 3 q ) ' 16 8 1 + 5tp' 8

0CO
L 4 I + 7q; L4 c~ o, flo L 2 1 + 7~o' L : 'g'°

k
r = Ei/L 3
M
m = M,,' M v = pA.L
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 133

The amplitude of the bending moment is then given by:

[M(x,t)[ ~- L 2 I, o

+ A , L [ 3 2 0 c ( I ( L ) a - 48fl'J ( L ) ] ) (35)

3.1. Numerical results

Tables 8 through 11 contain numerical values for the two lowest frequencies of
the coupled mechanical system (~o' = 0, 1, 5 and oo) for different values of the
parameters M/My; k/E1/L 3 and y/L.
Figures 4 and 5 depict the variation of frequencies for a simply supported and a
rigidly clamped beam, respectively. The variation of the frequencies follows the
trend of variation corresponding to a two degree of freedom, discrete system (see
Fig. 6).
An idea of the accuracy of the variational approach proposed for calculating
dynamic displacements and bending moments may be inferred from Table 12. The
approximate results are compared with the exact values in the case of a simply
supported beam for several values of M/Mv; k/EI/L a and y/L. The frequency
ratios selected for this comparison are 0.70 and 0.90. Displacement and bending
moment amplitudes have been evaluated at cross-sections located at x/L = 0.20
and 0.30.

4. RECTANGULAR PLATES WITH EDGES ELASTICALLY RESTRAINED AGAINST ROTATION

For normal modes the free vibrations problem is governed by the differential
equation (see Fig. 7):
to2M
Dv4W- Ph't°2W = l - co2(M/k) W.6(x - Xo) 6(y - Yo) (36)

where V 4 = biharmonic operator; D -- flexural rigidity; p = density of the plate

material and h = thickness.
The boundary conditions are defined by:
w(x, y, t)lx= _+o/2 = w(x, y, t)ly= _+b/2 = 0 (37(a))

\OX 2 + t't Oy2] Ix=a/2 (37(b))

?2w o2w
~ y=b/2 = -O.tpy \OY 2 -t- 12~xx2] y=b/2 (37(C))
134 P. A. A. LAURA, E. A. SUSEMIHL~ J. L. POMBO, L. E. LUISONI~ R. GELOS

TABLE 8
FREQUENCY COEFFICIENTS FOR A RIGIDLY CLAMPED BEAM (~p' ~ 0)

co 1. LZ(pA/EI) ~
M/My k/El/L3 y= 0 ~, = (1/3) L y = (1/6) L

0.2 18.17 87-38 21.89 72-53 19-44 81-66

0.5 14.56 68.94 20.93 47.98 16-33 61.48
1.0 1000 11.47 61.91 19.16 37.05 13-25 53.58
2.0 8.62 58.23 16.00 31-37 10.16 49.43
3.0 7.19 56.98 13.79 29.72 8.53 48.03
0.2 15.89 31.58 20.11 24.97 17.04 29.46
0.5 11.03 28.78 ! 3.64 23.27 11.85 26.79
1-0 100 8.01 28.04 9.72 23-09 8.58 26.17
2.0 5-73 27.70 6.90 23-02 6.13 25.90
3.0 4.70 27.59 5.63 23.00 5-02 25-81
0.2 6.89 23.05 7.05 22.51 6.95 22.83
0.5 4.36 23.01 4.46 22.50 4.40 22.80
1.0 10 3.09 23.00 3.15 22.50 3.11 22.80
2.0 2-18 23.00 2.23 22-50 2.20 22.79
3.0 1.78 23.00 1-82 22.50 1.80 22.79
0-2 2.23 22.50 2.23 22.46 2-23 22.48
0.5 1.41 22.50 1.41 22.46 1.4t 22-48
t .0 1 1.00 22.50 1-00 22.46 1.00 22.48
2.0 0.71 22.50 0-71 22.46 0-71 22.48
3.0 0.58 22.50 0.58 22.46 0-58 22-48

TABLE 9
FREQUENCY COEFFICIENTS FOR A BEAM WITH SUPPORTS ELASTICALLY RESTRAINED AGAINST ROTATION
( ~ , ' = 1)

091. L2(pA/E1) ½
M/My k/EI/L 3 y = 0 7 = (1/3) L ~, = (I/6) L

0"2 10"74 84-31 12.24 74"01 11.19 80.95

0'5 8"90 64'38 I 1 '47 49'96 9'57 59.88
1"0 1000 7'19 56"33 10.39 38-98 7"92 51'14
2'0 5"52 51-90 8'84 32"39 6'19 46"25
3'0 4.64 50-36 7.80 30"00 5-25 44.53
0"2 10"37 27"61 12-05 23-78 10'84 26.42
0"5 8'06 22"48 10.43 17"37 8.63 21.00
1"0 100 6'16 20'79 8-22 15"58 6-65 19.27
2'0 4'53 19'99 6'06 14"96 4"90 18.48
3"0 3"75 19'73 5.00 14-79 4.06 18.23
0"2 6-54 13"85 6"93 13'06 6.66 13.60
0"5 4"19 13"68 4.40 13"01 4"26 13"46
1"0 10 2'97 13"63 3-12 13'00 3.02 13.42
2"0 2-10 13-61 2-20 12"99 2.14 13.40
3"0 1 '72 13'60 1-80 12"99 1.75 13.40
0"2 2"22 12"89 2-23 12"83 2-23 12.87
0"5 1'40 12'89 1.41 12"83 1.41 12"87
1 '0 1 0.99 12'89 1.00 12-83 1-00 12.87
2'0 0.70 12"89 0.71 12"83 0.70 12.87
3"0 0.57 12"89 0.58 12'83 0.57 12.87
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 135

T A B L E 10
FREQUENCY COEFFICIENTS FOR A BEAM WITH SUPPORTS ELASTICALLYRESTRAINED AGAINST ROTATION
(~' = 5)

to I.L2(pA/EI) ½
M/My k/El/L 3 y = 0 y = (I/3) L 7 = (1/6) L

0'2 8"95 83'87 10"12 74'23 9"29 80-82

0"5 7'45 63'71 9.46 50-23 7'97 59'62
I'0 1000 6"05 55"48 8"56 39'23 6'62 50'74
2"0 4"66 50"92 7"30 32.54 5'19 45"73
3"0 3"93 49"32 6"45 30.07 4'41 43"95
0'2 8'75 27'14 10"01 23'72 9"10 26"09
0"5 6"97 21'55 8'93 16.82 7'44 20'20
1"0 100 5"42 19"59 7"35 14'45 5"86 18"14
2"0 4-03 18'62 5"57 13"48 4'38 17"15
3"0 3"35 18'31 4'64 13'21 3"64 16"83
0'2 6'27 11"98 6-82 11 '01 6"43 11 "69
0"5 4"07 11 '67 4"36 10'90 4.16 11 '43
1 '0 10 2'90 11-59 3-09 10.87 2"96 11"36
2"0 2'05 11"56 2"19 10"86 2'10 11"33
3'0 1 '68 11"55 1-79 10"86 i.71 11 "33
0"2 2'22 10'72 2'23 10-65 2.22 10"69
0"5 1'40 10.72 i"41 10-65 1"40 10'69
1-0 0'99 10"72 1-00 10'64 0-99 10"69
2"0 1 0-70 10'72 0"71 10'64 0"70 10'69
3"0 0"57 10"72 0"58 10-64 0.57 10"69

TABLE I l
FREQUENCY COEFFICIENTS FOR A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM (tO' ~ CO)

w 1- L2(pA/EI) ½
M/M,, k/EI/L 3 ~, = 0 7 = (1/3) L ), = (1/6) L

0"2 8.34 83"74 9-40 74.29 8"65 80'78

0'5 6"95 63"51 8"78 50"31 7"42 59"54
1 "0 1000 5"66 55-23 7-95 39.30 6"17 50"62
2'0 4.36 50'63 6.78 32'59 4.85 45'57
3-0 3"68 49'01 5'99 30-09 4-12 43'78
0"2 8'18 27.00 9"32 23-70 8"50 25"99
0.5 6.56 21'28 8.37 16.69 6.99 19"97
I'O 100 5.14 19'23 6'99 14.13 5"55 17.81
2'0 3.84 18"20 5.36 13'03 4.17 16-75
3"0 3-19 17"86 4-48 12.72 3.48 16.40
0-2 6" ! 3 I I "39 6'75 ! 0.35 6-30 l 1.09
0.5 4.01 ll'01 4-33 10,19 4.11 10.76
1.0 10 2.86 10"92 3"07 10.16 2"92 10"68
2'0 2.03 10"88 2"18 10"14 2"08 10.64
3-0 1.66 10'86 1 '78 10'14 1.70 10-63
0.2 2.21 9"98 2.23 9.90 2"22 9"96
0-5 1-40 9"98 1'41 9-90 1 '40 9'95
1.0 1 0'99 9-98 1.00 9.90 0.99 9"95
2-0 0.70 9-98 0-71 9.90 0.70 9,95
3.0 0.57 9.98 0"58 9-90 0.57 9,95
36 P.A.A. LAURA, E. A. SUSEMIHL~ J. L. POMBO~ L. E. LUISONI~ R. GELOS

80

60

000
N
-d

It z,O

K/El/
L3

2~
lO0

1000 /
- 100 /

0.2 0.5 1 3
M

L~ =~o ;? =o I Mv

Fig. 4. Lowest frequency coefficients for a simply s u p p o r t e d b e a m which carries an elastically

m o u n t e d concentrated m a s s (Ca" = oo).
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 137

BO

70

50
1000

t
L
j 50 L
o,~,..j 1

I
I!
,.o t
I
L

I00

I0

2C

.1C
- - )00

100

L I I
02 0.5 1 3
My

Fig. 5. Case of a b e a m with rigidly c l a m p e d ends (tp' = 0).

]38 P.A.A. LAURA, E. A. SUSEMIHL, J. L. POMBO, L. E. LUISONI, R. GELOS

= 10

4.

4.

. - I o,,
14"

4.
k2
kl
4'

II

i ~ k2= oO
k2 : 10

kl
0 i I I i I I
0.2 0.5 0.'/5 1 2
o.os M_3.Z
M.f
Fig. 6. Discrete, two degree of freedom vibrating system.
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 139

TABLE 12
COMPARISON OF DISPLACEMENT AND BENDING MOMENT AMPLITUDES FOR A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

M k 09 ~, x Iw(x, t)l IM(x, t)l

~o' Mv EI/L3 col ~" ~ FoLa/EI FoL
Approximate Approximate
solution Exact solution Exact
oo 0'20 1 0.9 0"2 0-3 0.003306 0.003308 0.036473 0'03477
oo 0.5 2 0.9 0.2 0.3 0.002441 0.00244 0.026929 0.025657
oo 0'5 10 0,7 0'4 0'2 0'007319 0.00721 0.086158 0.07991
oo 0.2 lO00 0.9 0 0"2 0.12447 0.12030 1.234420 1.16942
oo 1 l 0.9 0'4 0"2 0.0003546 0.0003523 0.0037796 0.0036495
oo 1 1 0.7 0.4 0'2 0"0002327 0-0002298 0-0027388 0"0025467

l M

~~x~ II111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
I1 []111

-~ (Xo, yo)
×
b

Fig. 7. Case of a rectangular plate with edges elastically restrained against rotation.
140 P. A. A. LAURA, E. A. SUSEMIHL, J. L. POMBO, L. E. LUISONI, R. GELOS

Similar relations to eqns. (37(b)) and (37(c)) hold for x = - a / 2 and y = - b / 2 ,

respectively.
Following references 5 and 6 one takes as a first approximation:
W ( x , y ) ~- W 1 = A , , ( o t , x 4 + ,8,x z + l)(yty 4 + 61y z + 1) = A , , X ( x ) Y ( y ) (38)
The ~,, fl,, 7~ and 8, coefficients are obtained substituting eqn. (38) into eqn. (37).
Accordingly one has:
1' I
= = -'a

l ° _ _
1
~ 6 r

ttr) ~ (b') 2
where:
1 + (p'~
~'1 = 1 + 5~'----~' fl'l = - ( 1 + e',)
t
l+~r
Y'1 = - - " 6' 1 = - ( 1 + Y'i)
1 + 5~o'y'
a' = a/2; b' = b/2

Following Galerkin's criterion one determines the following frequency equation:

t.o2M a2
D(Ko, + r/2Ko2 + Koa) - -Pht°2
- a4Ko,~ = X~m Y~yo) ~l (39)
4 1 - (to2M/k) "-4
where:
q = a/b

Ko, 96a', + + 1 7 2 2 y ' , 6 ' , + 2y', + 6', + + 1

= --+ 7 5 -5-

Ko= 32(~, z 7 6ct', + f l ' , 2 + f l , )

= , + ~',fl'l + 3
(~ 7 6)"' +a"= a')
x y, 2 + ~ y ' , 6 ' , + 3 + 1

(9 6'1 )(V 2 2~" +fl"2 2 )

Ko3 = 96y', + --3- + 1 + ~ a',fl'l + 5 + 3 fl'' + 1

Ko4 = + 2~',fl', + + + 1

(~__~ 2y',&', 2y',+6'j2 ~ )

x + ~ + 5 + 6',+1
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 141

The r o o t s o f eqn. (39) yield the two lowest frequencies o f the c o u p l e d system:

ph. a 4
~'~2 = (02 --ff

(r/m)(Ko4/4) + gi + (qr/4)X~o)Y~yo)
= +- {[(r/m)(Ko,/4) + gl + (qr/4)X~o)Y~yo)] 2 - (gt . r / m ) K o , } ~ (40)
Ko412
where:
M M
r = ka2/D; m . . . . ; gl = Kol + r/2Ko2 + g o 3
ph. a. b M plate

4.1. Numerical results

Tables 13 t h r o u g h 16 depict numerical i n f o r m a t i o n for (a) a simply s u p p o r t e d
plate; (b) a rigidly c l a m p e d plate; (c) (P'x = 9'y = 1 a n d (d) (p'x = (p'y = 2.
Several values o f t h e p a r a m e t e r s M / M p and k . a2/D have been selected. I t has been
assumed in all cases t h a t the spring-mass system is placed in the centre o f a square
plate.

TABLE 13
FREQUENCY COEFFICIENTS to,(ph/D)½a 2 FOR A SIMPLY SUPPORTED SQUARE PLATE

ka2/D
M/Mp 0"2 0"5 1"0 2"0 5 100 oo

0 19.75 19.75 19-75 19.75 19.75 19.75 19.75

19-77 19.80 19.85 19-96 20.31 39.10 co
0. I 1.41 2.23 3.15 4.43 6-88 15.97 16.73
19.77 19.80 19-85 19.95 20.27 32.14 oo
0.25 0.89 1.41 1-99 2.80 4.36 12.29 14.02
19.77 19.80 19.85 19.95 20.25 29.95
0.50 0.63 1-00 1.41 1.98 3.08 9.33 11.46
19.77 19.80 19-85 19-95 20-25 28-94 oo
1.0 0-45 0.71 1.00 1.40 2,18 6.83 8-89
19.77 19-80 19.85 19.95 20,24 28-46 oo
2.0 0.32 0.50 0.70 0.99 1,54 4.91 6.63
19.77 19-80 19.85 19.95 20.24 28.18 oo
5.0 0.20 0.32 0.45 0.63 0.98 3.13 4.34

It is i m p o r t a n t to p o i n t out that it has a l r e a d y been s h o w n 5"6 t h a t the accuracy

o f the p r o c e d u r e is excellent (a) when M = 0 for any c o m b i n a t i o n o f flexibility
coefficients tp~ and (py and (b) when M ~ 0; and the plate is simply s u p p o r t e d a l o n g
the four edges. In case (b) the results are in very g o o d a g r e e m e n t with e x p e r i m e n t a l
results previously published in the literature. 4
142 P. A. A. LAURA, E. A. SUSEMIHL, J. L. POMBO, L. E. LUISONI, R. GELOS

T A B L E 14
FREQUENCY COEFFICIENTS ogt(ph/D)½a 2 FOR A RIGIDLY CLAMPED SQUARE PLATE

ka2/D
M/Mp 0'2 0"5 1 '0 2"0 5 co

0 36.00 36.00 36.00 36.00 36-00 36.00

36.02 36.04 36.08 36.17 36.43
0.1 1.41 2.23 3.16 4.45 6-99 28.14
36.02 36.04 36.08 36-17 36.42
0.25 0.89 1.41 2.00 2-82 4.42 22.71
36.02 36.04 36.08 36.17 36.36 oo
0.50 0.63 ! .00 1.41 1-99 4.23 ! 7.94
36-02 36.04 36.08 36.17 36-42
1.0 0-45 0.71 1.00 1.41 2.21 13-55
36.02 36.04 36.08 36.17 36-42
2-0 0.32 0-50 0.71 1.00 1-56 9.94
36.02 36.04 36-08 36.17 36.42
5.0 0.20 0.32 0.45 0-63 0.99 6-44

T A B L E 15
FREQUENCY'COEFFICIENTS tot(ph/D)½a 2 FOR A SQUARE PLATE WITH ELASTICALLYRESTRAINED EDGES
(~,'~, = ~', = 1)

ka 2/D
M/M o 0.2 0.5 1-0 2.0 5-0 oo

0 22"90 22.90 22.90 22.90 22.90 22-90

22'92 22"95 23.00 23.09 23'41 oo
0-1 1"41 2'23 3'15 4.44 6-92 19.19
22'92 22-95 22"99 23'09 23"38
0'25 0'89 1 '41 1 "99 2"81 4"38 15"95
22'92 22"95 22-99 23.09 23"37
0"50 0'63 1 '00 1 "41 1 "98 3-10 12'96
22"92 22"95 22'99 23 '09 23 "36 oo
I "0 0"45 0.71 1-00 1-40 2" 19 i 0"00
22"92 22'95 22-99 23'09 23 "36
2"0 0'32 0'50 0"70 0-99 l "55 7'43
22"92 22"95 22'99 23"09 23.36
5'0 0'20 0"32 0-45 0"63 0'98 4'86

T A B L E 16
FREQUENCY COEFFICIENTSFOR A SQUAREPLATE WITH ELASTICALLYRESTRAINED EDGES(~'x ~ ~o'y= 2)
M/M r 0"2 0"5 1 "0 2'0 5"0

0 21 '51 21-51 21-51 21-51 21 "51 21 "51

21 '53 21 '56 21 "60 21.71 22"03 oo
0'1 1 '41 2"23 3"15 4"43 6-90 18'11
0'25 21 '53 21 "56 21 "60 21 '70 22.00
0"89 I '41 1.99 2.80 4.37 15.11
21.53 21.55 21-60 21.70 21-99 oo
0"50 0.63 1.00 1 "41 1.98 3"09 12.31
21 '53 21 "55 21 "60 21.70 21 "98
I "0 0"45 0"71 1-00 1-40 2'19 9'52
21 "53 21 '55 21 '60 21 "70 21 "98
2"0 0'32 0"50 0"70 0'99 1 '55 7.09
21 "53 21 "55 21 "60 21.70 21 '98 oo
5"0 0'20 0'32 0'45 0.63 0'98 4.64
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUROF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS 143

The fact that the present approach does not present any formal difficulties in the
case of rib-reinforced plates should also be emphasised (a well accepted mathe-
matical model is that of the orthotropic biharmonic operator
04 (~4 04
D:, 8-x, + 2H c~),-----
&¥2 ~ + Dy~y4

instead of V 4 in eqn. (36)).

5. EXPERIMENTALINVESTIGATION

This part of the study dealt with the determination of the lowest natural frequencies
of a simply supported steel bar of the following characteristics:
L = 59.85 cm (span)
b = 5.08 cm (width of the bar)
h = 0.635 cm (thickness)
W~ = 1.590 kg (total weight of the beam)
E = 2. 100.000 kg/cm 2 (Young's modulus)
bh 3
I = - - = 0.1083936 cm 4 (moment of inertia)
12
= 7 = 8 x 10 -6 kg seg2 (density of steel)
P g cm 4

A block diagram of the experimental set-up is shown in Fig. 8. Figure 9 shows

a view of the structural system investigated.

L~[Trar~sducer J~u
[ O=cillator[
T,.o,0oc,,r
Fig. 8. Block diagram of the experimental set-up.

The fundamental frequency of the simply supported beam (no mass attached)
is given by:
rt [ E. I ~ ~'
Fo = ~kp-A..L 4] = 41.18 Hz

and the measured frequency is Fo = 39 Hz.

144 P . A . A . LAURA, [. A. SUSEMIHL, J. L. POMBO, L, E. LUISONI, R. GELOS

Fig. 9. View o f the structural system studied in the experimental phase of the investigation.

Different values of M, k and 7 were considered in the investigation.

A comparison of analytical and experimental results is shown in Tables 17 and 18.
It can be concluded that the agreeement is, in general, quite good.

6. CONCLUSIONS

The methodology presented in this paper is quite simple and applicable to an

important class of structural dynamics problems.

TABLE 17
COMPARISON OF EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS (7/L = 0; CO-ORDINATE SYSTEbl AS SHOWN
IN FIG. 3)

Springs
kl = 0"956kg/cm k 2 = 8"605 kg/cm k3 = 25"853 kg/cm k4 = oc
Analytic Experim. Analytic E.werim. Analytic Experim. Analytic Experirn.
M 1= 0 . 0 0 0 9 6 9 4'95 5 13-77 10 20"36 20 27.52 25
kg.seg 2
41 '59 38"5 44"88 42'5 52'62 52
cm
k I = 2"686 kg/cm k2 = 8'881 kg/cm k3 = 2 8 ' 7 7 4 kg/cm k4 ~ -J3
Analytic Experhn. Analytic Experim. Analytic Experhn. Analytic Experirn.
M e = 0"002243 5.37 5.3 9.22 10 14-14 14 20.91 19
k g . seg 2
42-28 40 44.75 42.5 52.54 50
cm
 DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUROF STRUCTURALELEMENTS 145

TABLE 18
COMPARISON OF EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL RESULTS ()'/t = 0"25; CO-ORDINATE SYSTEM AS
SHOWN'IN FIG. 3)

Springs
k j = 0.956kg/cm k2 = 8.605kg/cm k3 = 25"853kg/cm k4 = c~
Analytic Experim. Analytic Experim. Analytic Experim. Analytic Experim.
M 1= 0"000969 4.98 5.1 14.33 14 22.33 20 32.26 28.5
kg.seg 2
41.41 37 43.13 38 47.99 46
cm
kl = 2.686kg/cm k2 = 8.881 kg/cm k3 = 28.774kg/cm k4 = oo
Analytic Experim. Analytic Experim. Analytic Experim. Analytic Experim.
M2 =0.002243 5.44 5.3 9.89 10 15.65 15 26-26 22.3
kg .seg2
41.76 37 43.056 43 47-48 45
cm

It is hoped that naval a n d mechanical engineers will find it useful in their design
work.

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The first a u t h o r wishes to acknowledge with deep gratitude the generous advice
a n d s u p p o r t o f C a p t a i n D r F r a n k A n d r e w s (US Navy), n o w at The Catholic
University of America, a n d M r M a r v i n Lasky (ONR). Both helped to get h i m
started in research on vibrations and supported his work from 1966 to 1970 at
The Catholic University. (P.A.A.L. returned to A r g e n t i n a in 1970.)

8. REFERENCES

I. R. E. ROBERSON, Transverse vibrations of a free circular plate carrying concentrated mass,

J. Appl. Mech., 18(3) (September 1951) pp. 280-2.
2. W. F. STOKEYand C. F. ZOROWSKI, Normal vibrations of a uniform plate carrying any number
of finite masses, J. Appl. Mech., 26(2) (June, 1959) pp. 210-16.
3. R. SOLECKI,Vibrations of straight bars and plates with concentrated masses, Rozprawy/nzh.
CC II, 9(3) (1961) pp. 497-51 I. (In Polish.)
4. A. W. LEISSA, Vibration q/plates, NASA SP 160, 1969.
5. P. A. A. LAURA and E. ROMANELLI, Vibrations of rectangular plates elastically restrained against
rotation and subjected to a bi-axial state of stress, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 37 (1974).
6. P. A. A. LAURA, E. ROMANELLI and M. J. MAURIZl, Frequency coefficients for rectangular
plates with symmetrical slope restraints carrying concentrated masses. Paper presented to
VIII International Congress on Acoustics, London, Great Britain, July, 1974.
7. P. A. A. LAURA el al., Concepts and applications of structural dynamics, Solid Mechanics
Laboratory Publication 74-10, Bahia Blanca, Argentina, 1974. (In Spanish.)