Non-planar, non-linear oscillations of a beam—I. Forced motions

Abstract Large amplitude whirling motions of a simply supported beam constrained to have a fixed length are investigated. Equations of motion taking into account bending in two planes and longitudinal deformations are developed. Using the method of harmonic balance, response curves for certain planar and non-planar steady state, forced motions are obtained. Another approximate scheme is used to study the stability of these motions. Stable regions corresponding to non-planar motions are found, thus confirming the existence of whirling motions. Numerical results are presented and discussed for several specific cases.