TAPERED BEAM AND COLUMN ELEMENTS

IN UNBRACED FRAME STRUCTURES

By J. Dario Aristizabal-Ochoa 1
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ABSTRACT: An analytical computer study on the lateral behavior of unbraced

framed structures having linearly tapered beam and column elements is pre-
sented. Because of their structural efficiency, particularly the high stiffness to
mass ratio, tapered elements are desirable in seismic and wind design. The 6-
DOF stiffness matrix as well as the equivalent nodal loads for a linearly vary-
ing-depth rectangular beam element are presented in an explicit form. The ef-
fects of taper on the lateral stiffness, strength, and dynamics of beams and
frames are discussed. In addition, the structural benefits and disadvantages of
tapered members are compared with those of prismatic ones.

INTRODUCTION

Tapered elements are being utilized with increasing frequency in bridges

and commercial steel construction. In addition, tapered elements are
commonly utilized in mechanical and aerospace engineering structures.
However, their use in multi-story construction is still in the innovative
stage. Because of their structural efficiency, particularly the high stiff-
ness to mass ratio, tapered members are desirable in seismic and wind
design of multi-story frames.
In civil engineering construction, tapered elements offer the following
advantages over "traditional" prismatic elements: (1) Weight economy,
which is translated into longer or taller structures; (2) superior shear car-
rying performance, particularly at the supports and joints with another
element, which is of vital importance in earthquake design; and (3) the
bending moment and shear diagrams, which can correspond to the
member's thickness, i.e., larger stiffness at the ends of the span reduces
the positive moment due to gravity loads and increases the overall lat-
eral stability and stiffness.
Although some of the material presented in this paper is available in
the literature and in some advanced textbooks (4,8,19,23), such infor-
mation has not been presented in a fashion that can be easily incorpo-
rated into existing computer programs. The main objective of this pub-
lication is to present the stiffness matrix and the equivalent nodal loads
(i.e., fixed end moments and forces) so that they can be easily incor-
porated into existing analytical computer programs. Then a sensitivity
study on the effects of smooth tapering on the lateral stiffness and eigen-
frequencies of beams and unbraced frames is presented.

BACKGROUND
A literature survey indicates that a substantial amount of work has
been done on the elastic and inelastic analysis and behavior of steel ta-
'Structural Consultant, P.O. Box 1647, Station B, Nashville, TN 37235.
Note.—Discussion open until June 1, 1987. To extend the closing date one month,
a written request must be filed with the ASCE Manager of Journals. The manu-
script for this paper was submitted for review and possible publication on March
21, 1986. This paper is part of the Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering,
Vol. 1, No. 1, January, 1987. ©ASCE, ISSN u887-3801/87/OOul-0035/$01.00. Paper
No. 21150.

35

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

 pered elements. However, on reinforced concrete members, only one
paper on the inelastic behavior of tapered beams is available (29), and
none is available on the inelastic behavior of columns. On reinforced
concrete systems, the only significant work is currently being carried out
by Murakami and Sato (33) at Taisei Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Ap-
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pendix II presents a list of references on the statics, dynamics and sta-

bility of nonprismatic elements.
The use of nonprismatic beam elements in modern civil engineering
structures, having variable depths and/or widths, was proposed in the
early 50's by Amirikian (1). The lack of basic understanding of the in-
elastic behavior of tapered reinforced concrete elements, in addition to
the lack of design code criteria and high construction costs, has kept
their use in a dormant stage. But recently in Japan, because of Japan's
severe and destructive earthquakes and the excellent seismic perfor-
mance of tapered floor slabs, the use of tapered elements in multi-story
reinforced concrete construction is being developed (33).
The basic approach used in the development of design criteria and
formulas for reinforced concrete tapered members is based on linear elastic
solutions (see Ref. 30, p. 246 and Ref. 32, p . 129). Design formulas are
in effect the same ones used in the working stress design method of
prismatic members. In the linear elastic range the classical bending stress
formula (My/I) is sufficiently accurate for moderate taper (less than 20-
degree taper), but the effect of taper on shear stress is quite significant
(3,9,12,32).

DERIVATION OF ELEMENT MATRICES

The four degree-of-freedom bending stiffness and consistent mass ma-

trices of tapered beams neglecting axial deformations were derived by
Gupta (23) by using the finite element approach. These matrices were
expanded by the writer to include the axial degrees of freedom. (Because
the consistent mass matrix requires considerable amount of space, it is
not included herein.) Using the classical moment-area principles and the
basic concepts of equilibrium, the equivalent nodal moments and loads
(i.e., the fixed end moments and forces) are derived in this paper.
Geometric Model and Limitations.—Consider the 6-DOF tapered beam
element shown in Fig. 1. The element is rectangular in cross section with
linearly varying depth and constant width. The left end of the element
is denoted as A and the right end as B. Three degrees of freedom are
assumed at each node. Only deformations in the plane of the element
and bending about the main centroidal axis are considered. The notation
and sign convention are shown in Fig. 1(a). The area and the moment
of inertia of a cross section perpendicular to the centroidal axis of the
element and located at a distance x from end A can be expressed as

A, = Aa\l + rf\ . (1)

3

4 = /„ 1 + r ••••• , . . (2)

in which Aa - cross-sectional area at end A; Ab = cross-sectional area at

36

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

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(a)

FIG. 1.—Tapered Beam-Column Element and Sign Convention: (a) Degrees of

Freedom; and (b) Applied External Load

end B; I„ = moment of inertia at end A; and r = Ab/A„ - 1.

The stiffness matrix (6 x 6) and the equivalent nodal load matrix (6 x
1) corresponding to uniform distributed load W or to a concentrated force
P were derived explicitly using the procedure and integral tables that
are explained in Ref. 4.and the variation of the cross-sectional area and
moment of inertia as given by Eqs. 1 and 2. The bending stiffness coef-
ficients are taken from Gupta (23). The axial effects were included by
integrating the differential equation for axial deformations, i.e., du =
Pdx/EAX, and applying equilibrium. Second order effects like the P-delta
were not considered.
The 6-DOF stiffness matrix, as well as the load vectors for a linearly
tapered rectangular beam element, are presented next. A sample prob-
lem is included for verification in Appendix I. It is suggested that before
the matrix values are incorporated into any existing program, the user
should test them against the sample problem and also against the tab-
ulated values given by Lightfoot (see Ref. 8, Table 3.3, p . 55). The user
should be aware that the derived matrices and load vectors are only
approximations since they are based on the classical beam formula (i.e.,
curvature = M/EI), and they should be used to analyze members having
smooth tapering only as suggested by Gere and Timoshenko (3).
Stiffness Matrix.—The stiffness coefficients corresponding to the axial
degrees of freedom (DOF) 5 and 6 (Fig. 1) can be obtained directly once
37

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

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-*•}

FIG. 2.—Tapered Truss Element

the axial displacement shape functions are determined. For a rectangular

linearly tapered truss element under tension, the axial displacement at
a distance x from end A (Fig. 2) can be obtained from the classical for-
mulas of uniaxial elasticity e* = du/dx = ux/E as follows:

Au • dx • dx (3)
EAv
EAA 1 + j

Integrating Eq. 3
FL 1 rx
= l0g 1+ (4)
" EZ I.
in which C = a constant of integration.
The axial stiffness coefficients can be obtained directly by applying
static equilibrium and the following boundary conditions to Eq. 4: at end
A, u5 = 1 at x = 0; and u6 = 0 at x = L. Therefore, k55 = P = EA„r/[L
log (1 + r)] and k56 = k65 = - P . In addition, the shape function corre-
sponding to DOF 5 becomes

rx
log 1 +
N5 1 (5)
log(l
At end B, u5 = 0 at x = 0; and u6 = 1 at x = L. Therefore, k66 = P =
EAar/[L log (1 + r)], and the shape function corresponding to DOF 6
becomes

log 1 + rx
N6 (6)
log (1 + r)
The 6 x 6 stiffness matrix in the local axis and according to the DOF's
numbered in Fig. 1 is as follows:
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J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

 k»
fe, ft22 Symmetric
(fcn + fei) (fei + k21) (2fc21 + fc„ + £22)
L L L2
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-(fcn + fc2i) -(k2l + k22) -(2fc 21 + fc„ + fc22) (2fc2] + fc„ + fc22) (7)
2 2
L L L L
0 0 0 0 it.
0 0 0 0 k
The flexural stiffness coefficients kn, k22, and k2\ listed below were
obtained from the general formulas generated by Gupta (23). The shape
functions corresponding to the flexural DOF's are given in terms of 20
coefficients, which are presented elsewhere (23). Because of space lim-
itations the flexural shape functions were not included herein. After a
considerable amount of algebra and calculus, the flexural stiffness coef-
ficients can be reduced to the following expressions:
'EL
ku = r(cF2 + F5FJ - 2F1F3F6)\^ to)
L
'EI,. .
k22 = r(cF24 + F5F22- 2F2FiF, (8b)
L
EL
foi = r[cF3F4 - (F.F, + F2F3)F6 + F,F2F5] (8c)

in which EIJL = flexural stiffness of prismatic beam (at end A); r = AJ

Aa - 1; c = log (r + 1); Ft = -(r + l)(cr + c - r)/[cr2 + 2(c - r)r\; F2 =
(r + lf(c - r)/[cr2 + 2(c - r)r\, F3 = -Fx(r + 2)/(r + 1) - (r + l)/r; F4
= -F2(r + 2)/(r + 1) + (r + l)/r; F5 = 2r(r + 2)/(r + if; and F6 = - 2 r /
(r + 1).

FIXED END MOMENTS AND FORCES

Concentrated Load Case.—The fixed end moments for a concentrated

load P located at a distance, vL, from the left end support and making
an angle a with the normal to the centroidal axis [Fig. 1(b)] were ob-
tained by moment-area principles (4). The moment-area equations (Eqs.
11-12) of Ref. 4 can be written in matrix form as follows:

x2 (L - x)x
— dx dx
Ir A k
(L - x)x (L - x)2
dx dx
L.M L lx
X (L — x)x
(1-v) — dx + v dx
I,
= PL cos a < (9)
(L - x)x "(E-xf
(1 lx + v dx
I, lx

39

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

 Closed form solutions of the fixed end moments were obtained by
carrying out the integrations shown in Eq. 9. The end shear forces were
obtained by applying static equilibrium in the plane of the structure. The
final results are
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PL cos a(L3 F2 - L 5 F 1 )
M„ (10a)
D
PL cos a(L5 F2 -L6Ft)
M„ (10b)
D
P M(Ma + Mb)
R == — C( i s ct H (10c)

Rb = P cos a — R„ (lOd)
in which Q = 1 + vr , (Hfl)
c = log (1 + r) (lib)
3 2 1
F l l l S Q + vL,
= ° -2 Q-2^
vL3 1+r 1+r
1 (lie)
r\\ + r) L2(l + r) 2Q2r + Q
1+r l_ll
F,= -log8 Q + - + c - 2
2 Q 2 Q
1+r
( l - # + Q.
— '(lid)
2Q2
ir + 2)
U ' 2(r + If
(He)

U =- ••'.. (11/)
2 \r + 1
r(3r + 2)
Vr (llg)
2(r + If.

^5 —
LL2
;K L3
r+ 1
3r
r+1
(lift)

(110
2
L6 = L Ll- 2LL2 + L3 (ii;)
D = L,L, (11*)
The equivalent axial end forces F„ and Fb can be obtained applying
axial deformation compatibility at point C [Fig. 1(b)] and axial equilib-
rium as follows:

• dx • •dx (12a)
0 AXE

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J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

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FIG. 3.—Tapered Beam under Distributed Load

F„ + Fb = P sin a (12b)
Therefore, Fa = P sin a [ l - log (1 + or)/log (1 + r)]; and Fb = P sin a
log (1 + ur)/log (1 + r).
Uniform Distributed Load Case.—Similarly, the equivalent end mo-
ments and shear forces for a uniformly distributed loading, W, which is
inclined an angle a with the centroidal axis (Fig. 3) w e r e obtained in-
tegrating Eqs. 7 a n d 8 in Ref. 4, which in matrix form are as follows:

(L - x)x '(L-x)x\ ^
-dx dx dx
k L WL\
cos a \ h (13)
(L - x)x '(L-xf 2 / '(L-xfXj
dx dx dx
Ix

Note that the left-hand matrix is identical to the concentrated loading

case. Closed form solutions of the fixed end m o m e n t s a n d shears are as
follows:
WL
cos a (L3LS - L5L7)

M. (14a)
D
WL\
— I cos a (L5L8 - L6L7)
M, = - (Ub)
D '
D (WL\ M„ + Mb
R„ = | — I cos a + (14c)

Rb = WL cos a - Ra (14d)

in which L7 = LL3 — L 4 ; a n d L8 = L2L2 — 2LL3 + L 4 .

41

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

 The equivalent axial end forces were obtained by integrating the
expression for Fb already obtained in the concentrated load case as fol-
lows:
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log (1 + vr)
dF,, P sin a (15«)
log (1 + r)

1
i
-~U h ° /
10

X (a)
0 1

FIG. 4.—Taper Effects on Lateral Deflections and Bending Stiffnesses: (a) Can-
tilever under Tip Loading; (fa) Cantilever under Uniform Loading; (c) Fixed-Fixed
Single Tapered Beam; and (d) Fixed-Fixed Double Tapered Beam

42

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

 lr PCOS U
AJL- PSinot.
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FIG. 5.—Taper Effects on Transverse Shear (Arch Effect): (a) Cantilever under Tip
Loading; (b) Cantilever under Uniform Loading; and (c) Fixed-Fixed Beam under
Midspan Loading

rL / x
log 1 + r -
F„ = W sin adx (15b)
Jo log (1 + r\
(1 + r) 1
Therefore Fb = WL sin a (15c)
log (1 + r).
F„ = WL sin a- Fb {I5d)

EFFECTS OF TAPER ON ELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF ELEMENTS AND FRAMES

Effects on Lateral and Rotational Stiffnesses of Beams.—The taper

effects on the lateral and rotational stiffnesses of a beam element are of
exponential form as shown in Fig. 4. Figs. 4(a-b) show that the tip de-
flection of a cantilever can be reduced by over a factor of 12 when a
taper factor, (3, of 3 is provided. The term p is simply the ratio of the
cross areas of the left and right ends of the beam as shown in Fig. 4.
Similarly, the end rotational stiffness of a single or double tapered beam
can be increased from 4EI/L to over 48EI/L, as shown in Figs. 4(c-d).
In terms of mass to stiffness ratio of a cantilver beam, this indicates that
100% increase in weight is translated into over 12 times the transverse
and rotational stiffnesses of an equivalent prismatic beam.
Effects on Shear Transfer in Beams.—The taper effects on shear stress
and the arch mechanism are even more significant. The arch mechanism
43

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

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FIG. 6.—Effects of Nonprismatic Beams and Columns on Lateral Deflections of

Unbraced Frames: (a) All Members Prismatic; (b) Prismatic Beams and Tapered
Columns; (c) Nonprismatic Beams and Columns

is relatively obvious. When the transverse loads are reversed the arch
mechanism (axial compression) is turned into a membrane mechanism
(axial tension). Fig. 5 shows that transverse loads are partly carried by
the arch mechanism and partly by bending. These coupling effects are
discussed by Gere and Timoshenko in their book on mechanics of ma-
terials (3).
Taper Effects on Unbraced Frames.—A sensitivity study was carried
out to investigate the effects of tapering the columns and girders of a
four-story unbraced frame. Fig. 6(a) shows the initial prismatic frame.
The story height (center to center) is 12 ft (3.66 m) and the clear bay
span is 24 ft (7.32 m). All members are 18 in. (0.46 m) deep and 12 in.
(0.30 m) thick (i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the frame all members
are 12 in. thick). The elastic modulus is 3,000 ksi (20.68 kPa). The lateral
deflections corresponding to lateral loads of 10 kips (45 kN) at each floor
are shown as curve a in Fig. 6. Cases b and c represent the effects of
tapering the columns and girders, as shown in Fig. 6. All structures have
the same weight or volume of concrete. In case b, the column was ta-
pered from 24 in. (0.61 m) at the base level to 12 in. (0.30 m) at the top.
The girders were double tapered from 24 in. (0.61 m) at beam-column
joint to 12 in. (0.30 m) at midspan. Identical loads were applied to cases

44

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

 lis"
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2 4
Density = 0.00073386 lb-sec./in.
Elastic Modulus = 30x10° psi

FIG. 7.—Natural Frequencies of Linearly Tapered Cantilever

TABLE 1.—Natural Rectangular Frequencies of Linearly Tapered Cantilever

NATURAL FREQUENCIES (Hz)
Number of Elements
Mode of Exact
vibration 1 2 3 4 values
0) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
1 86.4 85.8 85.7 85.7 (85.3)
•2 789.1 459.5 457.6 456.5 (456.4)

a-c. As expected, structures b and c are stiffer than a, and also the effects
of tapering the girders are even more significant in further reducing the
lateral deflections and interstory drifts.
Effects on Natural Frequencies of Beams and Frames.—The effects of
taper on the undamped natural frequencies of a simple cantilever and

120'

2 4
Density = 0.00073386 lb-sec./in.
/-
Elastic Modulus = 30x10 psi
FIG. 8.—Natural Frequencies of Tapered Portal Frame
45

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

 TABLE 2.—Natural Frequencies of Tapered Portal Frame
FREQUENCY (Hz)
Number of Elements
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Mode of vibration 4 8
(1) (2) (3)
1 11,9 11.9
2 27.5 27.1
3 74.8 66.4

of a fixed portal frame are presented in Fig. 7 and Table 1 and Fig. 8
and Table 2. In Fig. 7 (Table 1) the cantilever was modeled with 1, 2, 3,
and 4 equal-length elements and the consistent mass approach. In Fig.
8 (Table 2) the frame was modeled with 4 and 8 elements. The elements
of the first case are AB, BC, CD, and DE. In the second case, the ele-
ments of the first case were subdivided into two subelements.
The calculated frequencies listed in Tables 1 and 2 indicate that: (1)
The fundamental frequency can be estimated within a 1% error using a
single element between primary nodes; (2) higher mode frequencies con-
verge much slower and finer meshes are required; and (3) the taper in-
creases the natural frequencies. In the case of the cantilever shown in
Fig. 7 (Table 1) the first and second mode frequencies are increased from
68 Hz and 426 Hz (for a prismatic beam 1.875 in. deep) to 85 Hz and
456 Hz, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Computer results based on linear elastic analyses indicate that smooth

tapering of the beams and columns in unbraced frames might be ben-
eficial, particularly to structures subjected to severe lateral loads. In gen-
eral, tapering will have the following effects: (1) Increase lateral stiffness,
which can be translated into lighter structures; (2) superior shear car-
rying performance, particularly at the supports and joints, which is of
vital importance in earthquake design; and (3) larger joint connections,
which make easier their detailing and construction.
In the inelastic range experimental research is needed to verify the
benefits of tapering. A systematic experimental and analytical research
program to investigate and develop the use of tapered elements and
study their seismic performance is highly desirable.
The stiffness matrix (6 x 6) as well as the fixed end vectors (6 x 1) of
a linearly varying depth beam are presented. (The 6-DOF consistent mass
matrix can be obtained from the writer upon request.) A sample is in-
cluded for easy verification in programs that analyze the static and dy-
namic response of framed structures. Using the same procedure pre-
sented in this paper the matrices for nonrectangular tapered elements
could be derived as well.

APPENDIX I.—SAMPLE

Find the stiffness matrix and fixed end moments and forces for the
tapered beam shown below:
46

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

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Ab = 1 (16)

r^— 20-

Assume: Elastic Modulus, E = 10

Alpha (a) = 0 degrees
Moments of Inertia
at A 4 = 27
at B 4=1
Solution
Stiffness Matrix
-i
"25.066
5.355 4.785 Symmetrical
1.521 0.507 0.1014
(17)
-1.521 -0.507 -0.1014 0.1014
0 0 0 0 0.910
L0 0 0 0 -0.910 0.910J
Equivalent Moments a n d Forces
r
(AO r 1.8094] M„] f 58.629"]
Mb -0.0397 Mb -15.665
0.9885 Ra 12.148 (18)
•
• = .

]Ri, 0.0115 Rb 7.852

Fa 0 Fa 0
IF,,, 1o J ^-F[,,
1 o J
Concentrated Force Distributed Force

APPENDIX II.—REFERENCES

On Statics of Nonprismatic Elements and Frames

1. Amirikian, A., "Wedge-Beam Framing." Transactions, ASCE, Vol. 117, No.
2508, 1959, pp. 596-652,
2. Cowper, G. R., "The Shear Coefficient in Timoshenko's Beam Theory," Jour-
nal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 33, 1966, pp. 335-340.
3. Gere, M. J., and Timoshenko, S. P., Mechanics of Materials, 2nd ed., Broks/
Cole Engineering Division, Monterey, Calif., 1984, pp. 241-248 (section 5.9).

47

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49

 4. Handbook of Frame Constants, Portland Cement Assoc, Old Orchard Rd., Sko-
kie, 111., 1958.
5. Just, D. J., "Analysis of Plane Frames of Linearly Varying Rectangular Sec-
tion," The Structural Engineer, Vol. 53, 1975, pp. 12-16.
6. Kosko, E., "Uniform Element Modeling of Tapered Frame Members," Journal
Downloaded from ascelibrary.org by Universidad Nacional De Ingenieria on 10/19/18. Copyright ASCE. For personal use only; all rights reserved.

of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 108, No. ST1, Jan., 1982, pp. 245-264.
7. Lee, G. C , Morrell, M. L., and Ketter, R. L., Design of Tapered Members,"
Bulletin No. 173, Welding Research Council, New York, N.Y., June, 1972, 32
pp.
8. Lightfoot, E., Moment Distribution, 1st ed., John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York,
N.Y., 1961, 363 pp.
9. Medwadowsky, S. J., "Nonprismatic Shear Beams," Journal of Structural En-
gineering, ASCE, Vol. 110, No. 5, May, 1984, pp. 1167-1682.
10. Morrell, M. L., and Lee, G. C , "Allowable Stress for Tapered Beams with
Lateral Restraints," Bulletin 192, Welding Research Council, New York, N.Y.,
Feb., 1974, 12 pp.
11. Rodrigues, J. S., "Beam Idealization," Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE,
Vol. 108, No. ST5, May, 1981, pp. 1154-1173.
12. Timoshenko, S., and Goodier, J. N., Theory of Elasticity, 2nd ed., McGraw-
Hill Book Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1951, pp. 96-98 and 123-125.

On Stability of Nonprismatic Elements

13. Bagci, C , "Elastic Stability and Buckling Loads of Multispan Nonuniform
Beams and Frames Using Line Elements," Journal of Computers and Structures,
Vol. 12, 1980, pp. 233-246.
14. Gere, J. M., and Carter, W. O., "Critical Buckling Loads of Tapered Col-
umns," Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 88, No. ST1, Feb., 1962,
pp. 1-12.
15. Girijavallabhan, C. V., "Bucking Loads of Nonuniform Columns," Journal of
the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 95, No. ST11, Nov., 1969, pp. 2419-2431.
16. Kitipornchai, S., and Trahair, N. S., "Elastic Stability of Tapered I-beams,"
Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 98, No. ST3, Mar., 1972, pp. 713-
728 (with 36 refs.).
17. Timoshenko, S. P., and Gere, J. M., Theory of Elastic Stability, 2nd ed., McGraw-
Hill Co., New York, N.Y., 1961.
18. Wang, C-K., "Stability of Rigid Frames with Nonuniform Members," Journal
of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 93, No. ST1, Feb., 1967, pp. 275-294.

On Dynamics of Nonprismatic Beam Elements

19. Blevins, R. D., "Formulas for Natural Frequency and Mode Shape," Van
Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, N.Y., 1979, 492 pp.
20. Conway, H. D., and Dubil, J. F., "Vibration Frequencies of Truncated-Cone
and Wedge Beams," Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 32, 1965, pp. 932-934.
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APPENDIX III.—NOTATION

The following symbols are used in this paper:

A = cross-sectional area of beam;

c = natural log of r + 1;
D = value of determinant of matrix of fixed end m o m e n t s ;
E = elastic modulus of beam material;
F = axial end force; also dimensionless coefficients that define stiff-
ness matrix and fixed end forces;
I = beam m o m e n t of inertia about major axis;
k: = stiffness coefficient;
L = beam span measured from centroid to centroid of ends; also
coefficients that define fixed e n d forces;
M = fixed end moment;
P = concentrated force applied to beam;
R = fixed end shear force;
r = Ab/Aa - 1;
s' = flexural stiffness coefficient (=4 for prismatic beam);
v = ratio of distance of point of application of concentrated load from
end A to beam span;
u = axial deformation of beam;
W = applied uniform distributed load;
x = distance from end A of beam;
a = angle of inclination of applied load with respect to normal of
centroidal axis of beam; and
(B = ratio of areas of e n d s of b e a m (Aa/At).

Subscripts
a = left end of beam;
b = right end of beam; and
x = any point along centroidal axis of beam.

49

J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 1987, 1(1): 35-49