Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

DOI

10.1155/2014/234085

Publication Title

Journal of Structures

Volume

2014

Pages

234085 (13 pp.)

Abstract

A systematic approach is presented in this paper to derive the analytical deflection function of a stepped beam using singularity functions. The discontinuities considered in this development are associated with the jumps in the flexural rigidity and the applied loads. This approach is applied to static and vibration analyses of stepped beams. The same approach is later extended to perform sensitivity analysis of stepped beams. This is done by directly differentiating the analytical deflection function with respect to any beam-related design variable. The particular design variable considered here is the location of discontinuity in flexural rigidity. Example problems are presented in this paper to demonstrate and verify the derivation process.

Comments

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Original Publication Citation

Cheng, P., Davila, C., & Hou, G. (2014). Static, vibration analysis and sensitivity analysis of stepped beams using singularity functions. Journal of Structures, 2014, 234085. doi:10.1155/2014/234085

ORCID

0000-0002-7352-1099 (Hou)

Share

COinS