Dynamic analysis of multiple cracked Timoshenko beam under moving load–analytical method

When cracks start to surface in the surrounding areas of the structure, they create a local softness zone and influences on the dynamic response of the structure. The beams are more susceptible to shear and flexural cracks because of being subjected to shear and bending stress. In this study, the dynamic response of the single-span and multi-span damped beam under moving load with multi-crack and elastic boundary condition is studied based on Timoshenko’s theory. The Green’s function method is used to calculate the dynamic response of the cracked beam. In addition, the Green’s function method provides a solution for the differential equations. Moreover, the effects of the crack on the essential characteristics of the multi-span beams, especially the natural frequencies, are investigated. In this study, crack by itself is modeled in different situations and its effect on the behavior of the beam is analyzed. Also, the elastically restrained beam is modeled and its effect on the behavior of the beam is assessed. Because of the fact that the Euler–Bernoulli theory is also used in most beams, in this study, the results of the numerical examples are compared with the Euler–Bernoulli theory. Several examples are analyzed for a better understanding of the Timoshenko cracked beam.