VIBRATION AND STABILITY OF A NONUNIFORM L-SHAPED BEAM SUBJECTED TO A FOLLOWER FORCE (INPLANE VIBRATION)

An analysis is presented for the vibration and stability of a non-uniform L-shaped beam subjected to a tangential follower force distributed over the centerline by use of the transfer matrix approach. For this purpose, the governing equations of the beam are written as a coupled set of first order differential equations by using the transfer matrix of the beam. Once the matrix has been determined by numerical integration of the equations, the eigenvalues of vibration and the critical flutter loads are obtained. The method is applied to beams with linearly varying depths and breadths, subjected to a concentrated follower force, and the natural frequencies and flutter loads are calculated numerically, to provide information about the effects on them of varying cross-section, opening angle, shape and the stiffness of the supports. © 1994 Academic Press Limited.