Exact Vibration Frequencies and Modes of Beams With Internal Releases

The exact vibration frequencies of continuous beams with internal releases are found using the dynamic stiffness method. Two types of releases are considered: hinge and sliding discontinuities. First, the exact dynamic stiffness matrix for a beam element with a release is derived and then used in the assembly of the structure dynamic stiffness matrix. The natural frequencies are found as the values of frequency that make this matrix singular. Then the mode shapes are found exactly. Examples are given for continuous beams with different releases.