A rational method of lumping inertia forces by considering the equilibrium of the vibrating element has been developed. This method requires the selection of a suitable displacement distribution function over each element. The closer it is to the true mode shape, the better the result.

Considering a linear displacement distribution function over each element, the natural frequencies and mode shapes are obtained for transverse vibrations of a stretched string, torsional vibrations of a cantilever shaft (fixed at one end and free at the other) and transverse vibrations of a uniform cantilever beam. It is found that, even with a few elements, a reasonable accuracy can be obtained in the natural frequency, while the mode shapes are exact in the first two cases and almost exact in the third at the points considered.

In Appendix A, it is shown that, for the torsional vibration of a uniform cantilever shaft and with a linear displacement function over each element, this method gives exact mode shapes at the points considered, while the natural frequency is always an upper bound and the error follows an inverse square law when the number of elements considered is large.

In Appendix B, it is shown that a combination of this method with the conventional lumped mass method reduces the error in the natural frequency. The error follows an inverse fourth-power law when the number of elements considered is large and the mode shapes are exact at the points considered.

This method can incorporate better displacement distribution functions, to obtain better results and convergence, and can easily be adapted to the buckling of columns, the vibration of beam columns and forced vibrations, as well as more complicated problems such as the vibration or buckling of plates and shells.