Transient response of a multi-span beam on non-symmetric piecewise-linear supports

Abstract

The equation of motion in matrix form of a multi-span beam on non-symmetric, piecewise-linear supports is formulated using Hamilton's principle and the assumed mode method. The beam is subject to a stationary unsteady load or a constant moving load. The non-symmetric, piecewise-linear supports are used as models for non-symmetric, non-linear magnetic levitation supports in various machines. Numerical simulations are carried out for some sample problems to demonstrate the differences in transient responses between multi-span beams on linear and piecewise-linear supports. © 1993.