A Study of the Fractal Bending Behavior of Timoshenko Beams Using a Fourth-Order Single Equation

In this paper a new generalized fractal equation for studying the behaviour of self-similar beams using the Timoshenko beam theory is introduced. This equation is established in fractal dimensions by applying the concept of fractal continuum calculus Fα-CC introduced recently by Balankin and Elizarraraz in order to study engineering phenomena in complex bodies. Ultimately, the achieved formulation is a fourth-order fractal single equation generated by superposing a shear deformation on an Euler–Bernoulli beam. A mapping of the Timoshenko principle onto self-similar beams in the integer space into a corresponding principle for fractal continuum space is formulated employing local fractional differential operators. Consequently, the single equation that describes the stress/strain of a fractal Timoshenko beam is solved, which is simple, exact, and algorithmic as an alternative description of the fractal bending of beams. Therefore, the elastic curve function and rotation function can be described. Illustrative examples of classical beams are presented and show both the benefits and the efficiency of the suggested model.