J. Smmd Vib.

(1970) 11(2) 181-197

FREE WAVE PROPAGATION IN PERIODICALLY SUPPORTED,

INFINITE BEAMS'["
D. J. MEnD

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics,

University of Sottthampton,
Southampton, England
(Receired 24 June 1969)
The notion of propagation constants for the free harmonic motion of infinite beams
on identical, equi-spaced supports is first reviewed. Expressions are then derived for the
flexural propagation constants for beams on rigid supports which exert elastic rotational
restraint, and also for beams on flexible supports. A beam on rigid supports has one
propagation constant find a beam on flexible supports has two propagation constants for
each frequency.
Detailed consideration of the propagation constant leads to the conclusion that a
freely propagating harmonic flexural wave in such a beam must be regarded as a wave
group, having components of different wavelength, phase velocity and direction. The
magnitudes of the components in some special cases are examined. The interaction between
these groups and convected pressure fields is considered in qualitative terms. A mechanism
is shown to exist whereby slow, subsonic convected pressure fields can generate flexural
waves of supersonic velocity which can radiate sound.

I. INTRODUCTION
The vibrations of plate-like structures with parallel, regularly spaced stiffeners are often
analysed by representing them, in the first place, by beams on equi-spaced supports. These
supports provide rotational restraint to the beam (in the flexural sense) and also may provide
elastic flexibility in the transverse direction. The response of such finite beams to convected
pressure fields has been analysed in the past by calculating the principal modes of the system,
and then by studying the forced motion in each of the significant modes [1,2]. Alternatively,
transfer matrix techniques have been proposed, which calculate the response directly,
without recourse to the principal mode calculation [3].
9When the beam is very long and contains m a n y supports, so m a n y modes must be included
in the analysis that the process can become unwieldy. Under these circumstances, it is
convenient to regard the beam as being infinite in extent. Discrete principal modes do not
now exist. Instead, the motion of the beam can be analysed into a special type of wave
motion which propagates under the forcing action of the convected pressure field. Adjacent
beam segments undergo identical modes of vibrational displacement, but with a certain
phase (or time) difference which depends on the direction and magnitude of the convection
velocity.
I f the beam is undamped, free wave motion is possible in the absence of forcing from an
external pressure field. The wave motion is not of a simple spatially sinusoidal form, as the
supports cause reflections and "near-field" effects to exist. Nevertheless, free waves of a
distinctive type can be recognized, and wave velocities identified for given frequencies.
t" Presented at the British Acoustical Society conference on "Sonically induced vibration of structure"
on 6 to 8 January 1969 at Liverpool University.
181

182

D.J. MEAD

When the convection velocity of a pressure field of given frequency is equal to one o f these
free wave velocities for the same frequency, then a large response of the beam can be expected.
Wave propagation in periodically supported, undamped beams and grillages has previously
been studied by Heckl [4] (see also Cremer and Heckl [5]). It has been shown that these
waves can only propagate freely (without decaying) in certain frequency bands. At frequencies
outside these "propagation bands" a wave, once started, will decay as it spreads outwards.
There exist alternate bands of free propagation and decay. Heckl has defined propagation
constants which characterize the wave motion, and these are measures of the rate of decay
and change of phase of the wave motion over the distance between adjacent supports. The
notion ofpropagation constants is used in this paper and as it is so important the first section
is devoted to a brief reconsideration of its meaning.
This is followed by the derivation of the equations which yield the values ofthe propagation
constants. First, a beam on regularly spaced rigid supports is considered, allowance being
made for elastic springs at the supports which restrain slope changes due to bending. The
equation for the propagation constant yields a pair of constants, of equal magnitudes and
of opposite signs. Next, the equation for the same beam, but on transversely elastic supports,
is developed. This equation yields two pairs of constants.
It is then shown that corresponding to each propagation constant at a given frequency,
there exists a unique wave group which has wave components of many different wavelengths
and wave velocities. The relative magnitudes of these components are quoted for a special
case, but the method of calculating these magnitudes is not discussed in detail. This will
form the basis of a subsequent paper.
Finally, the implications on sound transmission by these wave groups are discussed in
general terms. It is shown that a simple mechanism exists for sound to be radiated from
periodically stiffened plates excited bypressure fields which travel at subsonic velocities.
2. THE NOTION OF PROPAGATION CONSTANTS
A simple sinusoidal wave propagating along an infinite, damped, unsupported beam
may be characterized by a wave number, k = 2~/,~. This is equivalent to the difference in
phase between the wave motion at any two points, unit distance apart. The wave decays
as it propagates, and the amplitude of wave motion at one of these points is e ~ times the
amplitude at the other. The complex number -t-(5 + ik) is a "propagation constant" which
describes the phase change and decay rate per unit length of the wave motion. The negative
sign in front of the complex number implies that the wave is propagating, or decaying, from
left to right, whereas the positive sign implies the reverse direction.
Simple sinusoidal waves cannot propagate independently along multi-supported beams.
Reflections occur at each support and "near-field" wave effects also exist which give rise
to cosh and sinh terms in the expression for the wave displacement. Suppose an infinite
beam on equi-spaced supports is excited at a single point by the harmonic force P e "~ (see
Figure 1). A form of harmonic wave motion is set up in the whole beam, propagating outwards from P. The harmonic displacements in any one bay may not resemble conventional
wave motion at all. However, on examining the motions at corresponding points in any
pair of adjacent bays (points F and G on Figure 1, say) it is found that the phase difference
(/z~) and the amplitude ratio (e~',) are the same for all adjacent pairs of bays throughout the
b e a m . / h represents the phase difference in the motion over the distance between supports,
!, and/~, represents the decay rate over the same distance. The characteristic propagation
constant is now +(~, + i/~).
Outside the excited bay the motion is entirely free and is governed by the free wave equation
subject to the boundary conditions imposed by the supports. The propagation constant is

FREE W A V E S IN P E R I O D I C BEAMS

183

found from this equation and the boundary conditions and is therefore a function only of
the frequency and beam/support physical characteristics. It is not dependent upon the
nature of the loading in the loaded bay.
00

Po
n
it ~
Figure 1. Diagram of the beam on equi-spaced supports.
Associated with the propagation constant is a unique mode of transverse displacement
of a free bay ofthe beam. All free bays vibrate in the same mode, but with phase and amplitude
differences between one another. In some cases there are two (or even more) complex prqpagation constants for each frequency. Each of the constants is then associated with a particular
mode of transverse displacement. The modes themselves are independent of the nature o f
the loading in the loaded bay, but the relative magnitude of the two modes is dependent on
this loading.
3. THE EQUATIONS FOR THE PROPAGATION CONSTANTS FOR A
MULTI-SUPPORTED BEAM
3.1. FOR RIGID SUPPORTS
Consider two adjacent bays of the beam )I-B and B-C [see Figure 2(a)]. At their ends
they rest on rigid, simple supports, but rotation there is restrained by rotational springs,
each of rate k,/2, i.e. the total rotational stiffness at a support is k,, and this, in the model, is
divided equally between the adjacent bays.
Each beam bay is subjected to the transverse inertia forces of vibration and to harmonic
moments at each end from adjacent bays. These moments are denoted by M,_~, Mr and
3t,+h it being understood that these are harmonically varying quantities, having real and
imaginary parts.
Now the rotations of the beams at the supports may be expressed in terms of the moments,
31, and the rotational receptances, fl (see reference 6), which are functions of the frequency
of vibration. In particular, the rotation 0n, of the right-hand end of beam A-B, may be
expressed in the form
0~ = flna M,_, + flnB3/,
(la)
where fin,, is the harmonic rotation at B due to unit harmonic moment at A and flBB is the
rotation at B due to unit moment at B. The rotation Oc at the left-hand end of beam C-D
may be expressed in the similar form

oc = flcc Mr + fl~oM,+,
where the receptances are defined in an analogous manner to flBn and flSA.

(Ib)

184

D . J . MEAD

The two beams A-B, C-D are identical in all respects. If, therefore, the positive directions
of the moments are as shown on Figure 2(a), and 0a and 0E are both positive in the anti=
clockwise direction, then fiEa = - f l c c . Also, from the reciprocal property of receptances,
flea = --fiAE, SO from the similarity of the beams, flBa = -flco.
The beam slopes 08 and Oc must be equal, for continuity of displacement and slope across
the support. Hence, equating (la) and (Ib), and using the above receptance relationships,
we find
M,_I + ~

Mr + Mr+ t = 0.

(2)

An identical equation applies to each support between free bays of the beam. If only one
bay is excited (as in Figure 1) then the above equation applies to all the supports to one
side or the other of supports X, Y. Such a set of equations is satisfied by the recurrence
relationship:
Mr+ i = e". Mr
(3)
Air, = et' Mr_t, etc.
Substituting these into equation (2) yields
e" + e-" =

2fiEE
flea

or

cosh/~ = - ~-~nB~

(4)

which is the equation for the propagation constant/or. The right-hand side of the equation
is strongly frequency dependent and will be complex if damping exists in the beam./L is
therefore, in general, complex and frequency dependent. This dependence is discussed in a
later section.
The same equation for/~ may be derived in an alternative manner which though fundamentally the same, uses certain basic properties of the wave motion and is an easier method
to apply to more complicated problems. It is a property of this form of wave motion that
all the vector quantities associated with the wave at any point in one bay (displacement,
rotation, moment, shear force) are related to the corresponding quantities at the corresponding point in the next bay by an equation of the same form as equation (3). In particular we
can say that these vector quantities at one end of bay A-B are related to the corresponding
quantities at the other end by an equation such as (3). Hence, for this bay we can say
01) = e~ 0a

(5a)

and
(5b)

Mr-I = e~'M,.
Now

o. = fiEE M . + fi.., M . _ ,
OA= E,

(6a)

+ E,.,M.-,

and
= --fiEA M , -- fiEE Mr--,.

Using equations (5a) and (5b) with (6a) and (6b), we find
M,{fiEE + e" fiEa} = --e" M,{fina + e - fiEE}.
This leads to
cosh it =

fiEE
iEA

which is the same as equation (4).

'

(6b)

185

FREE WAVES IN PERIODIC BEAMS

The receptance functions flBn and flna are transcendental functions of frequency, the
beam mass, stiffness and damping, and the rotational stiffness/c,. The derivation of these
functions is a straightforward application of the methods described by Bishop and Johnson
[6], so will not be described here. However, the final detailed expression obtained for cosh/z
[equation (4)] is given in the Appendix.
krl 2

.4

krl 2

krl 2

kr/2

krl 2

M~

(a)

krl2

M~

krl 2

M~

. /

kr/2

(b)

Figure 2. (a) and (b) Moments and shear forces acting on the beam elements.

The transverse displacement w(x) of a point on the beam in any bay is given, in the usual
way, by
w(x) = A coshpx + Bsinhpx + Ccospx + Dsinpx
where p4 = m~o2[EL 11l is the beam mass per unit length, E1 is the flexural stiffness of the
beam, and co is the frequency. The above expression must satisfy the boundary conditions
w(0) = 0,

w(t) = 0

since the Supports at x = 0 and x = l are non-deflecting. Furthermore, the slopes at x - - 0

and at x = I are related by equation (5a), so
w'ff) = e" w'(0).

Using these three boundary conditions, we can find B, C and D in terms of A. The displacement mode of one bay of the beamt is then given by

w(x) = A {coshpx-cospx + sinhpx( Ft - F 2 - e u F'~

( 2F,0
+ sinpx ~F7 + F8

(F7 - F,)(F, -- F2 -" e'F,0)'~l

-(-~ T-F~8)(--~s- e" FO 11"

(7)

The " F " functions are functions ofp/, and are those defined by Bishop and Johnson [6].
They are listed in the Appendix to this paper. It is now evident that for a given beam and
frequency (i.e. for a given value of p/), the mode of wave displacement is uniquely determined
by/~, the propagation constant. Since there is only one vaIue of/~ for each frequency, there
is only one mode of free wave displacement for each frequency.
I" The displacement at any point in the bay adjacent to the bay just considered is simply equal to e" times
equation (7).

186

D . J . MEAD

/t can have equal positive and negative values, the negative value corresponding to a
positive-going wave motion w+(x), and the positive value to a negative-going motion w_(x).
On substituting first the positive p. value, then the negative t~ value into equation (7), we find

w+(x) = w _ ( l - :,).
3.2, FOR FLEXIBLE SUPPORTS

The beam now rests on supports each of which has a total finite transverse stiffness of
k, [see Figure 2(b)]. Continuity of displacement now has to be ensured at each support as
well as continuity of slope. The transverse shear forces Sa, Se acting on each end o f the beam
element have also to be included in the slope and displacement equations.
The second of the methods of section 3 is used to find the propagation constants for this
beam. By virtue of the wave motion properties:

On= eu 0a = X. 0.a,,
w. = e" )va = X. )~A, }

S"=euSa=X'S'`'

(8)

31. = eU Ma = X. MA.)

(9)

Now

0., = fi'`'` Ma + fi'`n m . + y'*'` s., + r'`e Sn,

0n = fin., 3 G + fi., Mn + y,'` S., + yn, se.
wa = 3aa 3f'` + 3"`BMa + aaa S.t + aaBSe,

(10)

)ra = Baa 3/a + Bee Me + ~.'* Sa + ann S.,

where the rece'ptance Van is the rotation at A due to unit force at B,
BaD is the deflection at A due to unit moment at B,
-'`s is the deflection at A due to unit force at B.
The following relationships hold for the reeeptances of this particular system of a beam with
identical restraints at both ends:

fin,=-fiaa;
~a'` = --~a.;

fiA~=--fie'*;
c~'`e= --~e'`;

~'A'`=Tne;

B'`~=B~,;

Bae = Baa = ')'`. = y.'`.

(I I)

Substituting equations (I0) into equation (8) and using these receptance relationships, we find
(fin., + Xfia.) MA + (~n, + Xfina) Mn + (y.'` - Xyae) SA + (~,.. - X~,.'`) S . = 0,
6'.A -- Xann) M'` + (Bee - X~'e'*) 3 t . + (..'` + X,,..) S., + (~,.. + X~,.A) Sn = 0.
Using equations (9) to eliminate Sn and Mo:
(fina + 2X[3ne + X2 fin'`),
YeA (1 - X2),

VBA(1 -- X 2)
] [ MA] = 0
(~na + 2X=nn + X 2 ~,'*)J L SA J
"

(12)

The determinant of the matrix of the coefficients of this equation must vanish for nontrivial solutions. Each term of the determinant can be divided by X and then, remembering
that X + I]X= 2cosh/z and X - 1]X= 2sinh/~, we find
fin,* cosh/~ + finn,
---yna sinh/z,

-Yn'` sinh/z ]
~nacosh/z + ~avJ = 0.

(13)

Expand this to yield

[fin'* ~,,'* - 7L] cosb2t~ + [~n'* f i , , + ~,'`, fi,'`] cosh t, + (~,n, f i , , + 7k,) = 0.
Since this is quadratic in cosh/~, a pair of values of/~ is found for each frequency.

(14)

FREE

WAVES

IN

PERIODIC

187

BEAMS

The mode of wave displacement of a bay of the beam will be given by an expression of the
same general form as equation (7), but with coefficients of greater complexity. Since F can
now have two distinctly different values at each frequency (not simply +F, but 4-F~, +F2),
there will be two distinctly different modes of free wave motion.
The receptances involved in equation (10) are considerably more complicated than those
in equation (la). However the standard methods [6] of determining receptances of composite
systems may still be applied to this beam problem in a straightforward manner.
4. THE DEPENDENCE OF THE PROPAGATION CONSTANTS ON FREQUENCY;
THE UNDAMPED BEAM ON RIGID SUPPORTS
Consider now the solutions to equation (4). The term --flBs/flB,t for an undamped beam
is entirely real and varies between +00. If it is greater than +1, then F is entirely real (Fr, say)
and there is a constant exponential rate ofdecay of the wave motion from bay to bay. Furthermore, since F then has no imaginary part, there is no phase difference between the motion
in adjacent bays and the wave is of non-propagating form. There is no propagation of wave
energy. If--flDB/flBa is less than --1, F has the form F, + irr; the imaginary part implies that
adjacent bays vibrate exactly in counter-phase so the wave is still non-propagating and
decaying.
(a) ~

-~------------~,

(b)m

(C)~

~ -

-~.~__

____

- ~-~----~

- _~_--=_

~ " :.-_ - -

__

__~-

__ --~"~"-

- - - -

__

_~--__~ _ ---~

Figure 3. Some typical waves of the beam of Figure 4, (a) at a very low frequency (I2.< 12"8), (b) at the
lower bounding frequency, .Q= 12.8, (c) at the upper bounding frequency, .(2.= 22.4.
If, on the other hand, --flBs[flBa is real and lies between +1 and - 1 , then F is entirely
imaginary (iFt, say) and is given by the equation
fibs
cosFt =-~-~.

(15)

The existence of Ft implies non-zero phase difference between the motions in adjacent bays,
so that the wave is now propagating, and wave energy is being transferred along the beam.
Furthermore, since the real part of F is zero, there is no decay of the wave motion from bay
to bay.
At low frequencies, --flBs/flBa is always less than --I, so that in this frequency range free
waves cannot propagate. At any instant, the wave displacement will be of the form shown
in Figure 3(a). As the frequency increases, the rate of decay of the wave motion decreases
until a frequency band is entered in which -/38B//3sa is less than +1. Free wave propagation
then becomes possible and Ft varies continuously through this band. Above this frequency
band there exists next another band in which free wave propagation is impossible. Thereafter, there are alternate bands of propagation and non-propagation of free waves as first
described by Cremer and Leilich [7].

188

D. ,L MEAD

This feature is illustrated in Figure 4, which shows the real part of the propagation constant
as a function of frequency, This has been calculated for the special case of a multi-supported
beam with a rotational spring at the supports of magnitude
kr = 4 7 .
The bounding frequencies of the propagation bands are of great importance. It is found that
the lower bounding frequency of the first band is identical with the fundamental natural
frequency of one of the single-bay elements of Figure 2(a). The corresponding wave motion
in the whole beam is identical, in each bay, to the fundamental mode of free-vibration of
this single bay element. Adjacent bays in the multi-supported beam vibrate in counter-phase
~ = rr) so there is no actual propagating wave, but neither is there any decay of motion
from one bay to another. In fact, as will be seen later, at this frequency the motion consists
of two equal and opposite propagating wave systems travelling along the beam, combining
to form a standing wave system. The instantaneous displacement mode at this frequency is
illustrated in Figure 3(b).
kr = 4 E / / s

/ \ ,

2"0

F,i.o
0

~
20

40
60
80
Frequency parameter {,,0,)

I00

Figure 4. Values of/~, for the beam shown.

The upper bounding frequency of the first band is identical to the fundamental natural
frequency of one of the single-bay elements of Figure 2(a) when its ends are fully clamped.
The corresponding "wave motion" in the whole beam is identical, in each bay, to the fundamental clamped-clamped mode of vibration of this single bay element [see Figure 3(c)].
Adjacent bays in the multi-supported beam vibrate in phase (P-, = 0), so again there is no
actual wave propagation, but neither is there any decay in motion from bay to bay.
The bounding frequencies of the nth band of free-propagation may likewise be shown to
be identical to the nth natural frequencies of the single-bay element, either with the elastic
rotational restraint (lower bounding frequency) or with fully clamped ends (upper bounding
frequency).
Figure 5 shows how the imaginary part of/z (/~t) varies over the frequency range. At low
frequencies, /zI = :L-or, so that adjacent bays vibrate in counter-phase. The negative value
of/z Eis plotted in the first band, as it corresponds to the positive-going wave of the equal
and opposite pairs. In the first propagation band /Ll varies continuously from -,-r to 0,
where it stays throughout the next non-propagating band. In the second free propagation
band, it increases continuously from 0 to ~r, and in the next propagation band from ~r to
2zr, and so on.

189

FREE WAVES IN PERIODIC BEAMS

2~X

"IT
It,"

Figure 5. Primary values o f ~ for the beam of Figure 4.

/~C'

21-

k...

.~o~A

-2 9

- - - - }

-3 9
-4r

. . . .

-"

"'-~

Io

i~

20

25

30

Frequency parameter (,.CL)

Figure 6. Part of the set of values of t~m for first band of beam of Figure 4.

At this point it is important to recognize that/~t, as given by equation (15), is multi-valued.

The values of/~, indicated on Figure 5 may be regarded as its "primary" values, but secondary
values of the multi-valued function must not be ignored. Figure 6 shows a more complete
representation of tq over the first propagation band. The curve has been divided into the
segments shown for reasons to be explained in the next section.
5. VECTOR REPRESENTATION OF THE WAVE MOTION; THE UNDAMPED
BEAM ON RIGID SUPPORTS
Let wj represent the harmonic displacement vector at the point F i n one bay of the beam,
and w 2 the harmonic displacement at the corresponding point G in the next bay (see Figure 1).
~vj and w2 are related in the same way as the moment vectors, so
w2=w,e".

(16)

Figure 7 represents w, and w2 for the beam of Figure 4 as two line vectors stemming from
point Q. ~'j is the "reference" vector and is assigned the same magnitude and direction for
all frequencies. The w 2 vector varies with frequency as/z changes. The different numbered
points on the diagram locate the tip of the w 2 vector for the different values of the nondimensional frequency .Q, which is defined by
.(2 = (o / - ~ - .

(17)

190

D . J . MEAD

At values of 32 less than 12-8, Ft is -rr, so w2 is 180 ~ out of phase with wl. There are two
points corresponding to each frequency value, 32 = 12, 12.6, etc. The points within the circle
represent w2 which is less than w~, and so represent a "wave" vector which is decaying in the
positive x-direction along the beam, e.g. a "wave" which is excited by a point force away to
the left of Figure I. The points outside the circle represent a wave which is decaying in the
negative x-direction, excited, say, by a point force to the right of Figure 1. These different
sets of points are obtained simply by using - F or +/4 respectively, in equation (16). Since the
negative value of p. corresponds to the positive-going wave, the corresponding w2 vector is
denoted by w2+. The negative-going wave vector corresponding to +/~ is denoted by w2_.
At 32 = 12.6, w2 is equal in magnitude to w~, and remains so until 32 = 22.4, throughout
the band of free propagation. However, as/z~ now changes, w2 rotates around the circle. The

16

18

.20
14 e"

II

--@

- -

12- +

e--.

12"6 12"8

e- ---.---

2-

/'o, \

W I '"I
z- c.22-4

12.6 12
~.O
. - . - - ~ . - e(/1

./

o+,
/ 20

~-.
16

18

Figure 7. Vector diagram of displacements w, and w. in adjacent bays.

positive-going wave vector w2+ moves round the lower semicircle, becoming coincident
with w~ at 32 = 22.4, while the negative-going vector w2_ moves around the upper semicircle.
Next consider the vector w2+, at .(2 = 14, say. It indicates that w2+ is lagging behind wt
by the phase angle/x~. However, by the usual ambiguity of such phase angles, this could be
interpreted as a phase lag of/~t + 2~-, /xt + 4rr o r / ~ + 2mr, etc. On the other hand, this
particular vector could be regarded as leading vector wt by the phase angle 2rr - / ~ , 4rr - jut,
2nrr -/z+, etc. In point of fact, w2+ must be regarded as consisting of an infinite number of
subvectors, or components, some of which are lagging behind w~ by F, + 2nrr (n = 0 to oo),
and others of which are leading by 2 m r - / q 01 = 1 to co). The lagging subvectors present
positive-going wave components, while the leading subvectors represent negative-going
wave components. All of these components together constitute the total positive-going
wave represented by w2+. The vectors which lead by 2mr-/z~ can be said to lag by
-(2n~- - / ~ t ) = / q - 2n,-r, so that for mathematical convenience (but not for the best physical
understanding) one can say that all the subvectors lag behind w~ b y / ~ + 2nrr, with n having
integral values between 4-00.
A clear distinction can now be made between the different segments of the curve of Figure
6. Segment A B corresponds to the positive-going wave component of w2~ characterized by
the phase lag of/zt. Segment CD corresponds to the positive-going wave component with
the phase-lag of/~+ + 2rr. On the other hand, segment B'C' corresponds to the negative wave
components of w2+, with the phase-lead of 2rr - ~ .

FREE WAVES IN PERIODIC BEAMS

191

The dotted segments of Figure 6 correspond to the various wave components of the w2_
vector. The resultant vector is negative going, and has a negative-going wave component
corresponding to segment AB', but a positive wave-component corresponding to segments
BC, DE, etc.

6. THE FREE WAVE MOTION AS A WAVE GROUP

Consider now the positive-going displacement wave component which gives rise to a
phase lag of/~, + 2nrr between the two points distance l apart. It can be represented by
Wn(X) ~" An e ~{~247

= An e ffent-:Ott~s+2nr011

(18)

where cn is the phase velocity of the wave, and is given by

o~l
cn = t,t + 2mr"

(19)

This wave, on its own, does not satisfy the boundary conditions at the beam supports.
However, the free wave motion of a net positive-going wave in the beam must be regarded
as possessing components with all the possible phase lags,/z~ + 2nrr (n = 1 to :k~), and when
all these act together in appropriate proportions the boundary conditions are satisfied.
The total displacement, w+(x), at any point in the beam may be expressed in the form
w+(x)=-]~ A,e 1('~176

(20a)

n=~co

A negative value of n yields a negative phase velocity corresponding to the negative

components discussed in the last section. A net negative-going wave, w_(x), may likewise be
expressed in the form

u,_(x)= ~

a . e "~

(20b)

/1~--o0

which also has both negative- and positive-going components.

The free wave therefore consists of a wave group, each wave component of which is
sinusoidal in space, and has a different phase velocity. Some of the components are positivegoing, and some negative-going. The existence of negative-going wave components in a
positive-going group can be explained simply on the grounds of the reflections which must
occur at the supports, and which turn some of the positive-going energy into the opposite
direction.
Figure 8 shows the phase velocities of the components of positive-going groups in the
particular multi-supported beam of Figure 4. The ordinate is a non-dimensional phase
velocity C, defined by
{m]'121c.,
c . = Ll

(21a)

~2
- / q + 2nrr"

(21b)

The curve consists of segments which correspond to the segments of Figure 6.

However, in order to present both positive and negative phase velocities on the same
logarithmic plot, the sign of the negative velocities has been reversed, and the corresponding
segments fit exactly in between the positive segments. Those segments which represent
negative-going components are identified as such.
13

192

D. J- MEAD

It is important to know the wavelength of these wave components, especially when the
beam is being excited by convected pressure fields and there is the possibility of the matching
of the pressure field wavelength and a component wavelength. Clearly, the component
wavelength is given by

2~'c.
9~.=--

1
n + (m/2~)"

(22)

The value of,~0 (=27rl//~1) has formerly been called the "pseudo-wavelength" by the author [8],
but its identity as the real wavelength of the fundamental component of the wave group
can now be recognized. It should be noticed that in general these component wavelengths
20

X
o

3
h5

i, B'~~ c

Cl

D ~

....

l l l l ~ l l * | l T i l l l l i l | l l i l l l l ~ l
5
I0
15
20
25
50

Frequencyparamete(~L}
r

Figure 8. Variation of component wave speed with frequency; for first propagation band of beam of
Figure 4.
are not exact multiples or fractions of the support spacing, l, nor is one wavelength a simple
multiple of another---except in the special cases o f / ~ = 0, 2rr, 4z-, etc. The conventional
type of Fourier analysis on the wave motion in which the component wavelengths are taken
to be simple fractions of the fundamental wavelength, is therefore not applicable here. Indeed,
when it was inadvertently tried in the first place, all the coefficients of the wave components,
except A0, came to zero !
Figure 9 compares the amplitude ratios, 1,4.1/1,4ol, of the successive components of the
positive-going free wave group of the multi-supported beam, at a frequency parameter of
17"0,t for which/h = rr/2. The component amplitudes are indicated against their respective
non-dimensional phase velocity magnitudes. The + o r - sign indicates a positive- or negativegoing component of the positive group. The approximate instantaneous displacement mode
of this particular group is shown above Figure 9. The displacements of each bay are 90 ~
out of phase with those of their neighbours; at later instants the same pattern of displacement would be seen translated one or more bays to the right. This particular pattern of dist [The magnitudes of the components were found by applying the conventionalmethod for findingFourier
coefficients,analysingw(x)of equation (7) into the components of equation (20a). A much more rapid method
has subsequentlybeen found, and will be presented in a later paper.]

FREE

WAVES

IN PERIODIC

193

BEAMS

placement repeats itself every four bays, so the fundamental wavelength component in the
group is 4/. The wavelength of the A_I component is 41]5, etc., as given by equation (22).
It will be noticed that the group consists predominantly of the components A0 and A_~,
which have almost equal displacement amplitudes but which are travelling in opposite
directions with quite different velocities. The subsequent component amplitudes are significantly smaller, and generally can be paired off(A+! and A_2, A+2 and A_3, etc.) into pairs
of similar magnitudes but with the positive-going component having slightly the larger
displacement amplitude. Evaluation of the total wave energy involved in the components
confirms that the resultant flux of energy is in the positive direction.
A

-+
g

iO.r
45

IOq--1

E
<

"7

,c

, +1.

o.4 o.6o.s t.o

B io

zb

40

Non-dimenslonal wave velocity (C,,)

Figure 9. Componentamplituderatios for the free wave group at .(2= 17 (for the beam of Figure4).
The free wave group corresponding to .Q = 12.8 is of special interest. This is at the lower
bounding frequency of the free-propagation band of the beam under consideration, and
Fl has the value ~-. The phase velocity of the A0 component is tol/rr, and of the A_~ component
it is -tolfir. Evaluation of the magnitudes of Ao and A_x shows them to be identical. Hence,
the group consists fundamentally of a pair of equal and opposite'going waves, of wavelength
equal to twice the bay length. The phase velocities of the A~ and A_2 components are also
found to be equal and opposite as also are those ofA 2 and A_3, etc. Similarly, the magnitudes
of AI and A_2, A2 and A_3, etc., are found to be equal. Thus the whole group consists of
pairs of equal and opposite-going waves, having wavelengths 2/, 21/3, 21/5, etc. The resultant
motion is therefore that of a standing wave, as described in section 4. There is no flux of
energy along the beam, one way or the other, and the positive and negative wave groups
(w+ and w_) are indistinguishable.
The other group of special interest corresponds to .62 = 22.4, i.e. at the upper bounding
frequency of the band of free propagation. Here, Fi = 0, so the wavelength of the fundamental wave component is infinite, and corresponds to rigid body translation of the whole
beam. The subsequent components have wavelengths of 1, 1/2, I]3, etc. Corresponding to
each wavelength there is again a pair of equal waves, travelling at equal velocities in opposite
directions. Once more, therefore, the motion is that of a standing wave, and the mode of
vibration of each bay is identical to the fimdamental normal mode of vibration of a fully

194

D. $. /',lEAD

fixed beam, as described in section 4. [The magnitude of the Ao term (the rigid-body translation) is proportional to the displacement of this vibration mode averaged along one bay.
Its effect is cancelled out at the supports by the contribution to the displacement from all
the other wave components. Altogether, the displacement at a support is zero.]
In this first band of free propagation, the wave component having the largest amplitude
is always that component having the largest phase velocity. This is different in the second
band, as illustrated by Figure 10. This shows the free wave component amplitudes of a
positive-going group in the same beam as before, with . Q - 51.7--about midway through
g/:51"7

I-0
.5
.p
"R
.I.
i 0 -j
5

"6

Io'Z
5

ck
E
i0 ~
0-4

0 " 6 0"8 I ' 0

I - I ~ I'::
4

~:
6

~
~
8 fO

c:
20

40

Non-dlmenslonaf wove velocity (Cn)

Figure 10. Component amplitude ratios for the free wave group at .(2= 51"7(for the beam of Figure 4).
the frequency band, and for which/z~ = +n-/2. The corresponding mode of wave displacement
is shown above the figure. It is clear that the second fastest wave component has the greatest
displacement amplitude. This wave component carries, by far, most of the wave energy,
and is positive-going. At other frequencies in this band, the same feature applies. In the
third band of free propagation, the third fastest wave component has the largest displacement
amplitude, and carries most of the energy. In general, in the nth band, the nth fastest component predominates in the motion. This component is associated with the "primary"
value of+F~ shown on Figure 5, and will be called the "primary wave" of the group.
7. THE FREE WAVE GROUPS AND CONVECTED PRESSURE FIELDS;
SOUND RADIATION FROM THE GROUP
Convected pressure fields s u c h a s those associated with far-field jet-noise or turbulent
boundary layer pressure fluctuations are characterized by a particular convection velocity,
and a broad frequency spectrum. To first order, we may say that all the frequency components
in the pressure spectrum are convected with the same velocity..Suppose we superimpose
upon Figure 8 a horizontal line corresponding to this convection velocity. Where this line
intersects the phase-velocity curve, it implies that the group wave component at that frequency
has the same velocity as the convected pressure field frequency component and a "coincidence" excitation condition can exist (see L. L. Beranek [9] for a description of the acoustic
wave coincidence effect).

195

FREE WAVES IN PERIODIC BEAMS

This coincidence can occur with any one of the group components, depending on the
magnitude of the convection velocity. However, calculations have established (and subsequent reasoning has confirmed) that the greatest coincidence response occurs when the
primary wave of the group is involved in the coincidence. Thus, at a frequency parameter
of 17.0, the beam of Figure 4 is excited in a strong coincidence condition by a convected
pressure field of velocity CV= 11.0 (see Figure 9). At a frequency parameter of 51.7 the
primary coincidence convection velocity is slightly greater than this (see Figure 10).
These frequencies may be very much less than the frequency at which the normal acoustic
coincidence effect takes place on an unsupported beam or plate. Figure 11 shows the phase
velocity of free fiexural plane waves in an unsupported, undamped beam (i.e. the same beam
as in Figures 4, 8, etc., but with the supports and rotational restraints removed). Suppose the
speed of sound corresponds, say, to a non-dimensional phase velocity of 10. The critical
acoustic coincidence frequency would then be equivalent to .(-2-= 100. However, coincidence
2

Unsupporled beom

o
.

=o

ci,

/~//--Supporled beom(Figs 4 ond 8)

g,

%/

~ a

?E 4
2
I o'n

50

IOO

I
150

Frequency p o t o m e l e r (,Q,)

9Figure 11. Phase velocity of free waves in an unsupported beam (curve for supported beam superimposed
for referenc'e).
with the primary component of the wave group in the multi-supported beam of Figures
4 and 8 yields a powerful coincidence condition at O = 16.6.
At a lower co,wection velocity (CV= 1.0, say) coincidence with three different group
components is possible (see Figure 8). Two of these components belong to a positive group,
and the other to a negative group. Thus, a pressure field of this velocity and with pressure
fluctuations of all frequencies can drive by coincidence a positive group at frequencies
= 14.6 and 19.8, and a negative group at a frequency of 17.4. These groups are only weakly
excited under these conditions since it is not the primary wave that is involved ill the coincidence. However definite sharp peaks in a theoretical response spectrum have been found
a t these frequencies.
A significant acoustic corollary follows from the existence of these "subsidiary" coincidences. Suppose, once again, that the speed of sound corresponds to the non-dimensional
convection velocity of 10. The primary wave at .(2 = 16.6 has this phase velocity (see Figure 8).
The group to which this primary wave belongs can be excited by "subsidiary" coincidence
by a subsonic convected pressure field with a non-dimensional speed of 3.60, exciting the
wave component corresponding to segment B'C'. Hence, a low-speed convected flow can
excite, indirectly, a wave in the beam having sonic wave velocity. This latter wave, of course,
is a very' powerful radiator of acoustic energy. We therefore see a mechanism by which a

196

D.J. MEAD

subsonic convected flow can generate structural waves which can radiate sound. Such a
mechanism may play a prominent part, for example, in the transmission of sound into an
aeroplane cabin when the exterior is subjected to subsonic boundary layer pressure fluctuations.

8. CONCLUSIONS
The free vibratory harmonic motion of an undamped infinite beam on regularly spaced
identical supports may be regarded as a group of sinusoidal waves, travelling in different
directions and at different speeds. The wavelengths and wave velocities of the group components are closely related to the imaginary part of the propagation constant. A beam on
rigid supports has a single propagation constant for each frequency and a single well-defined
free wave group. The group only propagates energy in certain frequency bands. Outside
these bands, the wave motion decays with distance along the beam, and propagates no energy.
A beam on flexible supports has two propagation constants for each frequency, and two
corresponding free wave groups.
The phase velocity of the dominant component of the group may be much larger than the
phase velocity of free flexural waves in an unsupported beam at the same frequency. This
implies that the acoustic coincidence effect can occur at much lower frequencies on a supported
beam, or on a stiffened plate, than on the unsupported counterpart. The lesser components
of the group may have smaller phase velocities. A slower wave can be excited by a convected
pressure field of equal velocity, and in turn can excite the faster waves of the group to which
it is coupled. This constitutes a mechanism whereby subsonic convected pressure fields can
excite waves of supersonic velocity which can radiate sound.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The work reported in this paper has been sponsored in part by the Air Force Materials
Laboratory (MANP) Research and Technology Division, AFSC, Wright-Patterson AFB,
Ohio, USA, through the European Office of Aerospace Research, OAR, United States Air
Force under Contract No. F.61052-68-C-0027.
The author also gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Mrs E. G. Wilby, and Mr
K. K. Pujara in preparing some of the sections.
REFERENCES
1. Y. K. LIN 1962 J. Aerospace Sei. 29 (I), 67. Stresses in continuous skin stiffener panels under
random loading.
2. C. A. MrRCER 1965 J. Sound Vib. 2 (3), 293. Response of a multi-supported beam to a random
pressure field.
3. Y. K. LIN and T. J. McDANmL 1969 A S M E Vibrations Conference, Philadelphia, U.S.A. Paper
No. 69-VIBR-17. Dynamics of beam-type periodic structures.
4. M. HVCKL 1964 J. acoust. Soc. Am. 36 (7) 1335. Investigations on the vibrations of grillages
and other simple beam structures.
5. L. CRv.ravRand M. HECKL1967 K6rperschall. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
6. R.E.D. B1snov and D. C. JOHNSON1966 The Mechanics of Vibration. Cambridge University Press.
7. L. C~EMERand H. O. LrILXCH1953 Arch. d. elektr. Obertr. 7 (6), 261. Zur Theorie der Biegekettenleiter.
8. D. J. MEAD 1965 Acoustical Fatigue in Aerospace Structures, Chapter 26, The damping of stiffened plate structures. (Edited byW. J. Trapp and D. M. Famey). Syracuse, New York: Syracuse
University Press.
9. L. L. BERANErZ1960 Noise Redttction, Chapter 13, The transmission and radiation of acoustic
waves by solid structures. (Edited by L. L. Beranek). New York: McGraw-Hill,

FREE ~,VAVES IN PERIODIC BEAMS

197

APPENDIX
SOME FUNCTIONS USED IN THE ANALYSIS
The following " b e a m functions" as defined by Bishop and Johnson [6] have been used:
Ft =
F2 =
F5 =
F7 =
F8 =
F~0 =

sin pI sinh pl ;
cosplcoshpl;
c o s p l s i n h p l - sinplcoshpl;
sinpl + sinhpl;
s i n p l - sinhpl;
c o s p l - coshpl.

In terms of these functions, the expression for cosh/z [equation (4)] becomes
cosh/z
where

K=

k,t
El"

F5
F 8

(F~ - F z)
4p F | F 8