Dynamic characterization of beam type structures: Analytical, numerical and experimental applications

A general algorithm for the free vibration analysis of stepped and tapered beam type structures with multiple elastic supports is developed in this work. The analytical formulation is based on the Ritz method and on the use of orthogonal polynomials within the framework of the first order shear deformation beam theory. To verify the validity and convergence of the general algorithm several numerical examples are analyzed. A further example concerned with the determination of the dynamical properties of a bell tower is also presented and compared with the finite element method and experimental results.