Vibration of a simply supported beam with an edge crack

The vibration behaviour of a simply supported beam containing a crack at its mid-span is analysed based on the fracture mechanics concepts of stress intensity factor, K, and the strain energy release rate. The dependence of spring stiffness 'k' on the crack length 'a' is obtained through the compliance 'C' of the cracked body. The effects of crack length on the fundamental frequency and the amplitude of vibration are discussed.