An exact solution for free vibrations of a non-uniform beam carrying multiple elastic-supported rigid bars

The purpose of this paper is to utilize the numerical assembly method (NAM) to determine the exact natural frequencies and mode shapes of a multi-step beam carrying multiple rigid bars, with each of the rigid bars possessing its own mass and rotary inertia, fixed to the beam at one point and supported by a translational spring and/or a rotational spring at another point. Where the fixed point of each rigid bar with the beam does not coincide with the center of gravity the rigid bar or the supporting point of the springs. The effects of the distance between the \"fixed point\" of each rigid bar and its center of gravity (i.e., eccentricity), and the distance between the \"fixed point\" and each linear spring (i.e., offset) are studied. For a beam carrying multiple various concentrated elements, the magnitude of each lumped mass and stiffness of each linear spring are the well-known key parameters affecting the free vibration characteristics of the (loaded) beam in the existing literature, however, the numerical results of this paper reveal that the eccentricity of each rigid bar and the offset of each linear spring are also the predominant parameters.