Cheryl A. Peterson

Asymptotic Distribution of Eigenfrequencies for a Coupled Euler-bernoulli and Timoshenko Beam Model Cheryl A. Peterson

This research is devoted to the asymptotic and spectral analysis of a coupled Euler?Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam model. The model is governed by a system of two coupled differential equations and a two parameter family of boundary conditions modelling the action of self?straining actuators. The aforementioned equations of motion together with a two?parameter family of boundary conditions form a coupled linear hyperbolic system, which is equivalent to a single operator evolution equation in the energy space. That equation defines a semigroup of bounded operators. The dynamics generator of the semigroup is our main object of interest. For each set of boundary parameters, the dynamics generator has a compact inverse. If both boundary parameters are not purely imaginary numbers, then the dynamics generator is a nonselfadjoint operator in the energy space. We calculate the spectral asymptotics of the dynamics generator. We find that the spectrum lies in a strip parallel to the horizontal axis, and is asymptotically close to the horizontal axis ? thus the system is stable, but is not uniformly stable.