Stirling, Yates III2014-03-142014-03-141954etd-02162010-020409http://hdl.handle.net/10919/41191The classical method, required for its solution, the application of boundary conditions to the solution of the beam equation. Except for the case cf the beam with one concentrated load at the center, it was not considered a practical solution. The transcendental equation obtained in the solution of the unsymmetrical case, considered in part B, was found too cumbersome to handle. It was not attempted in parts C and D. The Rayleigh Method proved to be a simple, accurate and reasonably rapid method for all cases considered. The Dunkerley Equation gave very satisfactory results for parts A, B, and C. It was rapid to use, accurate and in most cases the data could be found in prepared tabulations. Results were inaccurate for the two span beam, indicating the necessity for caution in its application to multi-span beams. The Ritz Method, which is a refinement of the Rayleigh Method, proved to be exceedingly accurate when applied to the beam with the single concentrated load. However, it was found, that as the number of terms in the assumed deflection equation increased, the work became more time consuming. It was used only in parts A and B. The Influence Coefficient Method and the application of D'Alembert's Principle, which methods are quite similar, proved to be simple, accurate, and rapid. However, as the number of degrees of freedom increased, the degree of the algebraic equation increased, which complicated the solution. The Iteration Method is probably the method to be used if the number of degrees of freedom exceeds three. As the number of modes increases the number of iterations would increase, but the individual operations in themselves would remain simple. This method proved simple and accurate to use. For the cases considered, it was more time consuming to use than either the Influence Coefficient Method or the application of D'Alembert's Principle. However, for higher degree situations, it should prove to be a more practical method.63 leavesBTDapplication/pdfenIn CopyrightLD5655.V855 1954.S747Girders -- VibrationThesishttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-02162010-020409/