Exact dynamic stiffness matrix of a Timoshenko three-beam system

An exact dynamic stiffness matrix is established for an elastically connected three-beam system, which is composed of three parallel beams of uniform properties with uniformly distributed-connecting springs among them. The formulation includes the effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia of the beams. The dynamic stiffness matrix is derived by rigorous use of the analytical solutions of the governing differential equations of motion of the three-beam system in free vibration. The use of the dynamic stiffness matrix to study the free vibration characteristics of the three-beam system is demonstrated by applying the Muller root search algorithm. Numerical results for the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the illustrative examples are discussed for 10 interesting boundary conditions and three different stiffness constants of springs.