ABSTRACT
In the previous chapters, the vibration equations for simple structures were formulated. However, a structure usually does not consist of just one bar or one beam, but of many single bars, beams, plates, columns, etc. This chapter takes up the formulation of continuous beams and frames. A beam supported at three or more locations will have two or more spans connected together at arbitrarily selected nodes. Based on this description simply supported beams or cantilever beams can be considered continuous. They are commonly used in bridges and frame structures and require a slightly different approach to analysis than other types of beams. The slope deflection is one method by which such beams are analyzed. In this chapter, the slope deflection method is developed and used to illustrate solution techniques for continuous beams undergoing both free and forced vibrations. The method is then extended to the vibration of frames with axial forces.
