Vibrations under moving distributed loads of a non-prismatic prestressed Rayleigh beam (Q2289523)

Summary: The vibrations of a non-prismatic prestressed Rayleigh beam resting on an elastic foundation and traversed by distributed loads moving with constant velocities is investigated. The fourth order partial differential equation with variable coefficients governing vibrations of the non-prismatic prestressed Rayleigh beam is solved using the generalised Galerkin method and a modification of the Struble's asymptotic method. Closed form solutions are obtained for the simply supported and clamped/fixed ends boundary conditions. The theoretical considerations find application in calculations relating to dynamic stresses in railways, bridges and foundation for all types of highways.