Damped Response of an Elastically Connected Double‐Beam System Due to a Cyclic Moving Load

The damped response of an elastically connected double‐beam system due to a moving‐point load that oscillates longitudinally along one of the members about a fixed point is examined analytically. The deflection equations are determined for a damped double‐beam system for two cases: (1) the beams have individual damping, and (2) damping is introduced as a function of the relative velocity of the two beams. The analysis shows the relative importance of the infinite number of load movement frequencies that will excite a given principal frequency of the system for the rth mode of vibration. Numerical results are presented for the two cases for both equal and unequal beams and show the effects of damping, frequency of oscillation of load movement, amplitude of load movement, and modulus of the elastic connectors on the dynamic deflections of the system. The results also show the ability of the system to act as an elastic vibration absorber.