Semi-Analytical and Finite Element Investigations of the Vibration of a Stepped Beam on an Elastic Foundation

In this study free vibration behavior of a stepped beam on an elastic foundation is considered. The vibration of uniform beams on an elastic foundation has been previously studied extensively and various solutions are available in the literature. However, the problem considered in current study appears not to have been widely covered in the literature and analytical solutions are strictly limited. To this aim, semi-analytical solutions are obtained first by using Adomian decomposition method, then finite element solutions are computed via structural finite element analysis software (SAP 2000). The free vibration analysis of stepped beam considering the combinations of different support conditions at each end are performed employing semi-analytical and finite element methods. The findings of the analysis are compared and discussed in detail.