ANALYSIS OF FREE-VIBRATIONS OF HELICOIDAL BEAMS

As structural members, circular helicoidal bars are frequently used in the construction industry for a variety of practical and/or aesthetic al reasons. While these bars (curvilinear beams) might represent the m ost practical alternative for carrying loads in a specified structural configuration, the three dimensional structural response has been fou nd to be superior compared to that of other forms of structural member s under a general state of loading. Presents the results of a study th at has been designed to investigate the free vibration characteristics of this type of bar. The study reported is limited to the analysis of free vibrations utilizing the method of dynamic transport matrix (DTM ), and the finite elements method (FEM). A comparative study of the re sults provided by the DTM is presented to assess the vibration charact eristics of circular helicoidal bars and circular bars. The results in dicate: the inherent structural superiority of the three dimensional b ehaviour of circular helicoidal bars; and the computational efficiency of the DTM as compared to the FEM.