CE226 – PROBLEM SET NO.

I. Assuming the beam to be massless, each system can be modeled as an SDOF

system with the vertical deflection due to the weight W. The beam has a length L
and flexural rigidity EI. Analyze the two beams in Figure 1a and 1b. a. Derive the
equivalent stiffness (k) in terms of EI, L, W. b. Assume that the weight W at the
midspan of the beams is due to object with W = 500 N. At midspan, the object
oscillates at a frequency of 2 Hz. If the length of the beam is 2.0 m, estimate the
flexural rigidity (EI) of the beam. c. Using the data in letter b. If an initial
displacement of 2 cm downward at the center was applied and then released,
plot the displacement vs time of the midspan displacement assuming a damping
of 5%.

Solution:
1. a. For simply supported beam b. for fixed support
P PL3 P PL3
K= △ ; △ = k= △ ; △ =
48 EI 12 EI
P P
k= 192 EI
k= PL3 48 EI
; k = PL3 ; k=
48 EI 192 EI L3
L3
 k w
w=
√ m
;m= g

kg
w= w ; k= w 2 gW

b. w= 500 N ; f= 2Hz ; L = 2m
I w
f= T = 2 π

w w rad
f= 2 π ; 2= 2 π ; w=12.566 s

k (9.81)
w= kg ; 12.566=
w √ 500

= 8048.607 N/m
48 EI 48 EI 192 EI
k= 3 ; 8048.607 = 3 k= ;
L 2 L3
192 EI N∙ m 2
8048.607 = EI = 1341.4345
3
2

EI = 335.3586 N∙ m 2
c. ս0 = 2cm , } = 5%

ս0 = 0.2m , } = 5%

Critical damping = C cr= √2 km = 25.1327m

2k
= C cr= w = 32.1944m

C
Σ= ; underdamped system
C cr
c
U (t) = e−( 2 m ) t( A cos co P t + B sin w P t ¿

k 8048.607(9.81)
W D =w √ 1−¿ Σ 2 ¿ ; w
√ √ m
=
500

W D =w √ 1−¿ ¿ w=12.566 rad / s

W D =12.5503rad /s
 2H 2π
T D= = =0.5
w D 12.5503
0.02

0.02

0.01

0.01 II.
The
0
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5

-0.01

-0.01

-0.02

-0.02

structural frame shown has a rigid beam and is rigid jointed at both ends of the
three columns. The mass of the structure of 5000 kg is concentrated at the top.
The columns are 3.0 m long and each has an EI = 4.5 x 106 N-m2 . The structure
has a viscous damping (h) of 4%. Model the structure as an SDOF shear building. .
a. Calculate the undamped dynamic properties (f, T, )
b. Calculate the damped dynamic properties
c. The top was displaced to the right by 25 mm and then released. Compute the
displacement, velocity and acceleration after one period. Plot the displacement as
a function of time for at least three periods.
d. Using the plot in (c) determine the damping ratio (h) using the log decrement
method. Compare with the given h.
Solution: