Analytical solutions for the Timoshenko beam theory with Free-Free boundary conditions

Abstract

Timoshenko's theory for bending vibrations of a beam has been extensively studied since its development nearly one hundred years ago. Unfortunately there are not many analytical results. The results above the critical frequency inclusive haeve been tested only recently. Here an analytical expression for the solutions of the Timoshenko equation for free-free boundary conditions, below the critical frequency, is obtained. The analytical results are compared with recent experimental results reported of aluminum and brass beams The agreement is excellent, with an error of less than 3%, for the aluminum beam and of 5.5% for the brass beam. Some exact results are also given for frequencies above the critical frequency.