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Abstract
An analytical approach for evaluating the forced vibration response of uniform beams with an arbitrary number of open edge cracks excited by a concentrated moving load is developed in this research. For this purpose, the cracked beam is modeled using beam segments connected by rotational massless linear elastic springs with sectional flexibility, and each segment of the continuous beam is assumed to satisfy Timoshenko beam theory. In this method, the equivalent spring stiffness does not depend on the frequency of vibration and is obtained from fracture mechanics. Considering suitable compatibility requirements at cracked sections and corresponding boundary conditions, characteristic equations of free vibration response are derived. Then, forced vibration response is treated under a moving load with a constant velocity. Using the determined eigenfunctions, the forced vibration response may be obtained by the modal superposition method. Finally, some parametric studies are presented to show the effects of crack parameters and moving load velocity.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]