Vibrational power transmission in curved beams

Previous research into structural vibration transmission paths has shown th at it is possible to predict vibrational power transmission in simple beam and plate structures. However, in many practical structures transmission pa ths are composed of more complex curved elements; therefore, there is a nee d to extend vibrational power transmission analyses to this class of struct ure. In this paper, expressions are derived which describe the vibrational power transmission due to flexural, extensional and shear types of travelli ng wave in a curved beam which has a constant radius of curvature. By assum ing sinusoidal wave motion, expressions are developed which relate the time -averaged power transmission to the travelling wave amplitudes. The results of numerical studies are presented which show the effects upon power trans mission along a curved beam of: (i) the degree of curvature; and (ii) vario us simplifying assumptions made concerning beam deformation. (C) 2000 Acade mic Press.