Dynamic equilibrium equations of non-prismatic beams defined on an arbitrarily selected co-ordinate system

In this paper, Hamilton's principle is used to derive the dynamic equilibri um equations of beams of generic section. The displacements are defined on an arbitrarily selected co-ordinate system. For Hamilton's principle, the d ynamic behavior of non-prismatic beams is characterized by two energy funct ions: a kinetic energy and a potential energy. The formulation uses the pro cedure of variational operations. The dynamic equilibrium equations and nat ural boundary conditions obtained are strongly coupled. (C) 2000 Academic P ress.