A simple mathematical model for free vibration analysis of combined system consisting of framed tube, shear core, belt truss and outrigger system with geometrical discontinuities

Abstract Dynamic analysis of beam-like structure is significantly important in modeling real cases such as tall buildings, aircraft wings, spacecraft antennas and many other applications. This paper tries to determine the first natural frequency of tall buildings including framed tube, shear core, belt truss and outrigger system with multiple jumped discontinuities in the cross section of framed tube and shear core. In this regard, the entire length of the tall building is partitioned into uniform segments between each two successive discontinuity points. The effect of belt truss and outrigger system is modeled as a concentrated rotational spring applied at the belt truss and outrigger system location. Many cantilevered tall structures can be treated as cantilever bars with multiple jumped discontinuities in the cross section for the analysis of their free vibration. In this paper, the continuous approach was accepted and by using the Hamilton’s variational principle, the general form of governing equation for free vibration of tall building can be obtained. By applying the separation of variable method on time and space, the governing Partial Differential Equation (PDE) of motion is reduced to an Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) with one variable coefficient while the other coefficients are constant based on the assumption that the transverse displacement is a harmonic vibration. To find exact solution of ODE, we must have exact distribution of EI(x), AG(x), N(x) and m(x) in the height of the structure. Some of these parameters such as EI(x), AG(x) and m(x), are constant throughout the height of each segment. These parameters can be expressed exactly by using of multi criteria function, while N(x) is variable in the height of each segment. Therefore, the ODE by using the method of variable separation and partitioned method can be expressed for each segment. We must apply the continuity conditions in conjunction with different segments for obtaining unique mode shape for mentioned system. Tall building characteristics matrix can be derived based on the boundary conditions and the continuity conditions applied at the partitioned points. This matrix is particularly used to find combined system first natural frequency and mode shape. Three numerical examples with different stepped discontinuities in their cross sections are studied to demonstrate the reliability of this method. The results of the proposed mathematical model give a good understanding of the structure’s dynamic characteristics; it is easy to use, yet reasonably accurate and suitable for quick evaluations during the preliminary design stages which require less time.