Analytical solutions for joints in an infinite Euler-Bernoulli beam on a viscoelastic foundation subjected to time-lag loads.

• Derivatives of Dirac delta function were introduced to describe the action of joint parts in dynamic analysis. • Analytical solutions were provided to study dynamic responses of joints in infinite beams under time-lag loads. • Connection between joints and standard beams induces great differences in dynamic responses. This paper investigates the analytical method for the infinite beam with joint parts resting on a foundation under time-lag loads. The ground is simulated as a viscoelastic foundation. The existence of joint parts in beams is explained by introducing virtual forces expressed through the Dirac delta function. Integral transformation simplifies the dynamic governing equations for standard beam sections and joint parts into an algebraic equation. The convolution theorem converts the solutions into the time domain. The analytical solutions for dynamic analysis of standard beam sections and joint parts are obtained conveniently in the frequency domain. The proposed analytical method is verified by comparing it with the traditional methods and also validated by numerical examples with time-lag loads. Parametric discussions study the effects on the dynamic response of joint parts and standard beam sections, such as the amplitude and frequency of time-lag loads and coefficient of bending stiffness reduction of joint parts. The parametric analyses emphasize the dramatic effect of critical parameters on the discontinuous deformation of beams. The damage caused by critical values of some factors is emphasized. The severe effects of discontinuous deformation induced by dynamic loads in the safety of beam structures are revealed in this paper. The differences in dynamic responses between the beam and joint part must be monitored to ensure the safety of whole beam structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]