Introduction

For practical purposes much interest exists in the analysis of wave motion in elastic bodies that are geometrically defined by one or two large length parameters and at least one small length parameter. Examples are plates, beams and rods. The exact treatment by analytical methods of wave motion in such structural components is often very difficult, if not impossible. For that reason several one- or two-dimensional models that provide approximate descriptions have been developed. These models are based on a priori assumptions with regard to the form of the displacements across the smaller dimension(s) of the component, generally in the cross-sectional area. For beams and rods the assumptions simplify the description of the kinematics to such an extent that the wave motions can be described by one-dimensional approximate theories. For the propagation of time-harmonic waves it was found that the approximate theories can account adequately for the dispersive behavior of at least the lowest mode of the exact solution over a limited but significant range of wavenumbers and frequencies.

One of the best-known examples is the Bernoulli–Euler beam theory. In this simplest model for the description of flexural motions of beams of arbitrary but small uniform cross section with a plane of symmetry, it is assumed that the dominant displacement component is parallel to the plane of symmetry. It is also assumed that the deflections are small and that the cross-sectional area remains plane and normal to the neutral axis.