MHB How Can You Solve the Simply Supported Beam Equations?

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    2015
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The discussion focuses on solving the simply supported beam equations, which involve a fourth-order partial differential equation with specific boundary conditions. The equations are defined for a beam with constraints at both ends, requiring solutions that satisfy zero displacement and zero bending moment at the boundaries. Participants are encouraged to refer to the Problem of the Week (POTW) guidelines for submission details. Notably, no solutions were provided by participants, and the problem is sourced from Farlow's "Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers." The thread emphasizes the importance of engaging with the problem for better understanding and practice in solving such equations.
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Solve the simply supported beam equations:
\begin{align*}
u_{tt}&=-u_{xxxx}, \qquad 0<x<1, \qquad 0<t<\infty \\
u(0,t)&=0 \\
u_{xx}(0,t)&=0 \\
u(1,t)&=0 \\
u_{xx}(1,t)&=0 \\
u(x,0)&=f(x) \\
u_{t}(x,0)&=g(x)
\end{align*}

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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No one solved this week's POTW, which is stolen lock, stock, and barrel from Farlow's Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers. His solution follows:

We use the separation of variables method and look for arbitrary periodic solutions; that is, vibrations of the form
$$(21.3) \qquad\qquad\qquad u(x,t)=X(x)[A \sin(\omega t)+B \cos(\omega t)].$$
Note that by choosing the solution in the form (21.3), we are essentially saying that the separation constant in the separation-of-variables method has been chosen to be negative.

We now substitute equation (21.3) into the beam equation to get the ODE in $X(x)$.
$$X^{iv}-\omega^2 X=0,$$
which has the general solution
$$X(x)=C \cos\left(\sqrt{\omega} \, x\right)+D \sin\left(\sqrt{\omega} \, x\right)+E \cosh\left(\sqrt{\omega} \, x\right)+F \sinh\left(\sqrt{\omega} \, x\right).$$
To find the constants $C, D, E,$ and $F,$ we substitute this expression into the BCs, giving
\begin{align*}
u(0,t)&=0 \implies X(0) T(t)=0 \implies X(0)=0 \implies C+E=0 \\
u_{xx}(0,t)&=0 \implies X''(0) T(t)=0 \implies X''(0)=0 \implies -C+E=0,
\end{align*}
which together imply that $C=E=0$.
\begin{align*}
u(1,t)&=0\implies D\sin\left(\sqrt{\omega}\right)+F\sinh\left(\sqrt{\omega}\right)=0 \\
u_{xx}(1,t)&=0\implies -D\sin\left(\sqrt{\omega}\right)+F\sinh\left(\sqrt{\omega}\right)=0.
\end{align*}
From these last two equations, we arrive at the expressions
\begin{align*}
F\sinh\left(\sqrt{\omega}\right)&=0 \\
D \sin\left(\sqrt{\omega}\right)&=0
\end{align*}
from which we can conclude
\begin{align*}
F&=0 \\
\sin\left(\sqrt{\omega}\right)&=0 \implies \omega=(n\pi)^2,\quad n=1,2,\dots
\end{align*}
In other words, the natural frequencies of the simply supported beam are
$$\omega_n=(n\pi)^2$$
and the fundamental solutions $u_n$ (solutions of the PDE and BCs) are
$$u_n(x,t)=X_n(x) T_n(t)=\left(a_n \sin\left[(n\pi)^2 t\right]+b_n \cos\left[(n\pi)^2t\right] \right) \sin(n\pi x).$$
Now, since the PDE and BCs are linear and homogeneous, we can conclude that the sum
$$(21.4) \qquad\qquad\qquad\boxed{u(x,t)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\left(a_n \sin\left[(n\pi)^2 t\right]+b_n \cos\left[(n\pi)^2t\right] \right) \sin(n\pi x)} $$
also satisfies the PDE and BCs. Hence, all that remains to do is choose the constants $a_n$ and $b_n$ in such a way that the ICs are satisfied. Substituting equation (21.4) into the ICs gives us
\begin{align*}
u(x,0)&=f(x)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}b_n \sin(n\pi x) \\
u_t(x,0)&=g(x)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}(n\pi)^2 a_n \sin(n\pi x),
\end{align*}
and using the fact that the family $\{\sin(n\pi x)\}$ is orthogonal on the interval $[0,1]$ gives us
\begin{align*}
a_n&=\frac{2}{(n\pi)^2} \int_0^1 g(x) \, \sin(n\pi x) \, dx \\
b_n&=2\int_0^1 f(x) \, \sin(n\pi x) \, dx.
\end{align*}
Hence, the solution is given by (21.4), and $a_n$ and $b_n$ are given by the last two equations.
 

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