The dynamic analysis of nonuniformly pretwisted Timoshenko beams with elastic boundary conditions

The coupled governing differential equations and the general elastic boundary conditions for the coupled bending–bending forced vibration of a nonuniform pretwisted Timoshenko beam are derived by Hamiltonʹs principle. The closed-form static solution for the general system is obtained. The relation between the static solution and the field transfer matrix is derived. Further, a simple and accurate modified transfer matrix method for studying the dynamic behavior of a Timoshenko beam with arbitrary pretwist is presented. The relation between the steady solution and the frequency equation is revealed. The systems of Rayleigh and Bernoulli–Euler beams can be easily examined by taking the corresponding limiting procedures. The results are compared with those in the literature. Finally, the effects of the shear deformation, the rotary inertia, the ratio of bending rigidities, and the pretwist angle on the natural frequencies are investigated.