Free vibration analysis of in-plane frame structures by the transfer influence coefficient method

The Transfer Influence Coefficient Method is an advantageous device used to analyze a dynamic response of a multi degree of freedom system. The Transfer Influence Coefficient Method conquered some disadvantages of the Transfer Matrix Method and has some advantages in computational accuracy and speed. However, this method was not available to treat truss and rahmen structures since the algorithm was incapable of branches and links to form a closed loop in truss and rahmen structures. In this paper, a new algorithm of the Transfer Influence Coefficient Method for an in-plane free vibration analysis of frame structures with closed loops is presented. The new algorithm still retains the advantages of the original algorithm on the computational accuracy and speed. The advantages are demonstrated through a free vibration analysis, compared with a conventional routine.