The mechanical analysis of a mass-spring load supported on a beam system

Abstract The static deflection and dynamic characteristics of a mass-spring system supported on beam systems are investigated in this paper. In statics, it shows that the maximum deflection is reduced considerably when a clamped-free beam is replaced by a beam system which consists of a primary beam one end of which is clamped and the other end is supported by a subsidiary beam. The addition of a subsidiary beam leads to axial forces in both beams, the primary one in tension and the subsidiary in compression. The dynamic characteristic shows that the natural frequency of the mass-spring system decreases. In some cases it becomes imaginary, because buckling occurs in the subsidiary beam. This means that the effects of the addition of a subsidiary beam are not always of a positive nature, with respect to the stiffness of the whole system. At low frequencies, the response of the mass is larger than that of the mass supported on a motionless foundation. At high frequencies the dynamic characteristics of the foundation influence the vibration of the mass only a little; i.e. it moves as if the foundation were motionless.