Exact closed forms for the transfer matrix of free oscillations in finite periodic Timoshenko–Ehrenfest beams

In this work, we obtain closed-form expressions for the transfer matrix of free oscillations in finite periodic Timoshenko-Ehrenfest beams with an arbitrary number of cells. By invoking the Cayley–Hamilton theorem on the transfer matrix for free oscillations of a beam composed of N cells, we obtain a fourth-order recursive relation for the matrix coefficients, which defines the so-called Tetranacci Polynomials. Such recursive relation provides an algorithm to compute the Nth power of the transfer matrix, avoiding the matrix product of the N matrices. Furthermore, in the symmetric case of free oscillations in finite periodic Timoshenko-Ehrenfest beams, closed-form expressions for the solutions to the recursive relation have recently been derived, which we use to write the transfer matrix of a finite beam composed of N cells in a closed form. We find a good agreement between the natural frequencies calculated with the obtained expressions and finite element simulations. These expressions are very useful for studying the interaction of evanescent oscillations and find application, for instance, in the development of phononic topological insulators. Our formalism can be applied to waves propagating in finite periodic layers described by a 4 × 4-transfer matrix, such as electromagnetic waves in anisotropic optical media.