Nonlinear dynamics of a reduced multimodal Timoshenko beam subjected to thermal and mechanical loadings

Abstract

Large amplitude vibrations of a Timoshenko beam under an influence of temperature are analysed in this paper. In the considered model the temperature increases instantly and the heat is uniformly distributed along the beams length and cross-section. The mathematical model, represented by partial differential equations takes into account thermal and mechanical loadings. Next, the problem is reduced by means of the Galerkin method, considering the first three natural vibration modes of a simply supported beam in the both ends. The influence of the temperature on amplitudes and localisation of the resonance zones and stability of the solutions is studied numerically and analytically by the multiple time scale method. The bifurcation points, existence of unstable lobes and transition from regular to chaotic oscillations are shown. © 2014 The Author(s).