Identification of flexural stiffness parameters of beams

a three degree of freedom model of the dynamic mass at the middle of a test sample, resembling a stockbridge neutraliser, is introduced. this model is used to identify the hereby called equivalent complex cross section flexural stiffness (ecfs) of the beam element which is part of the whole test sample. this ecfs, once identified, gives the effective cross section flexural stiffness of the beam as well as its effective damping, measured as the loss factor of an equivalent viscoelastic beam. the beam element of the test sample may be of any complexity, such as a segment of stranded cable of the acsr type. these data are important parameters for the design of overhead power transmission lines and other cable structures. a cost function is defined and used in the identification of the ecfs. an experiment, designed to measure the dynamic masses of two test samples, is described. experimental and identified results are presented and discussed.