Free vibration analysis of cracked beams by using rigid segment method

Abstract This paper deals with the analysis of influence of crack parameters to the modal characteristics of beams at various boundary conditions by using rigid segment method. The beam was discretized by a number of rigid segments which were connected by elastic joints with three degrees of freedom, while the crack was described by cracked element based on fracture mechanics. This model allows detection of coupling between the axial and transverse vibrations under the special boundary conditions. The proposed approach covers both the Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam model. The efficiency of the method was shown through the few numerical examples.