Abstract
Nonstationary response of a linear elastic beam subjected to, at its end supports, vertical ground accelerations is considered. The ground accelerations are assumed to be nonstationary Gaussian white noises which may have different spectral densities, different envelope functions and arbitrary arrival time differences. The analysis is based on the mode superposition procedure together with the Markov vector approach by which the exact statistical quantities up to the second order of the beam response are derived. A Monte Carlo simulation is performed for the purpose of not only further applications but an effective usage in our analysis. Comparison of numerical results obtained by these two procedures is made, and the effect of two-point support excitations, with or without arrival time differences, on the nonstationary stochastic response of the beam is discussed.
