An Improved Method of Matrix Displacement Analysis in Vibration Problems

Abstract

SummaryThis paper presents a method with strong convergence characteristics for the determination of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of continuous systems. The limitation on the number of undetermined constants in the displacement functions introduced by the conditions at the ends of a segment is removed by the introduction of points of freedom within the segment.This improves the convergence of eigenvalues and eigenvectors very rapidly with the number of segments, especially in torsional vibration problems where the convergence with the usual Matrix Displacement method is very poor. The continuous medium is successively approximated by the use of sub-systems with finite numbers of degrees of freedom. The principles upon which the method is based and the convergence of the results are discussed and illustrated by a series of examples.