Analysis of axially loaded tapered beams with general end restraints on two-parameter foundation

The stability and free vibration of axially-loaded tapered beams with elastic end restraints resting on two-parameter foundations are studied using the differential quadrature method (DQM). The governing differential equation is discretized at sampling points, and then the boundary conditions due to elastic end restraints are implemented and substituted into the governing differential equation yielding a system of homogeneous algebraic equations. The equivalent two-parameter eigenvalue problem is obtained and solved for critical loads in the static case and for natural frequencies in the dynamic case. The obtained solutions are found compatible with those obtained from other techniques. The influences of different parameters on the critical loads and natural frequencies are investigated.