Nonlinear vibrations of non-uniform beams by the MTS asymptotic expansion method

The frequency response curves of a non-uniform beam undergoing nonlinear oscillations are determined analytically by the multiple time scale method, which provides approximate, but accurate results. The axial inertia in neglected, and so the equations of motion are statically condensed on the transversal displacement only. The nonlinearity due to the stretching of the axis of the beam is considered. The effects of variable cross-section, of variable material properties and of the distributed axial loading are taken into account in the formulation. They have been illustrated by means of two examples and are also compared with existing results. The main result of this work is that the effects of any type of non-uniformity can be detected by simple formulas.