Effects of Locally Distributed Kelvin–Voigt Damping on Parametric Instability of Timoshenko Beams

The effect of partially distributed internal damping of the Kelvin–Voigt type on the parametric instability of a Timoshenko beam subjected to periodic axial loads is studied. To model the dynamic behavior of the beam, a coupled set of second-order linear ordinary differential equations with periodic coefficients is established by the finite element method. A quadratic eigenvalue equation is derived for a parametrically excited damped system to determine the instability regions of the beam of concern based on Bolotin's method. The effects of internal damping, size and location of the damped segment, ratio of thickness to length and static load factor on the parametric instability of the beam are studied, along with the stabilizing effect of the Kelvin–Voigt damping on the primary parametric resonance presented. The results reveal that the beam with a larger damped segment positioned near the fixed end is dynamically more stable.