Quadratic B-spline finite element method for a rotating non-uniform Rayleigh beam

The quadratic B-spline finite element method yields mass and stiffness matrices which are half the size of matrices obtained by the conventional finite element method. We solve the free vibration problem of a rotating Rayleigh beam using the quadratic B-spline finite element method. Rayleigh beam theory includes the rotary inertia effects in addition to the EulerBernoulli theory assumptions and presents a good mathematical model for rotating beams. Galerkin's approach is used to obtain the weak form which yields a system of symmetric matrices. Results obtained for the natural frequencies at different rotating speeds show an accurate match with the published results. A comparison with Euler-Bernoulli beam is done to decipher the variations in higher modes of the Rayleigh beam due to the slenderness ratio. The results are obtained for different values of non-uniform parameter ((n) over bar)