Abstract
Based on the theory of fractional calculus and the complex spectral theory of vibration, a new spectrally-formulated finite-element method of analysis is developed which is capable of making accurate predictions of the dynamic response of damped structures with curved struts. The frequency-dependent and temperature-dependent damping characteristics of structural materials can be modelled accurately using the fractional derivative model. The main features of the complex-spectral element method of analysis are presented in this paper. Although most structural systems can be analysed and designed by using the conventional finite element method, in order to guarantee stability and accuracy of the solution the number of elements used to model the structure may be very large. Hence, it appears that, for large structures, it may be more effective to use the spectral approach presented in this paper.
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