In this study, wave propagation in beams is studied using different beam theories like Euler-Bernoulli, Timoshenko and Reddy beam theories. Dispersion curves obtained for these beam theories are compared with the exact plane elasticity solutions. It is obtained that, there are two branches for Reddy beam theory similar to the Timoshenko beam theory. However, one branch is obtained for Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The effects of in-plane load on Timoshenko and Reddy beam theories are examined and dispersion curves of the Timoshenko and Reddy beams are compared with exact plane elasticity solution. In Timoshenko beam theory, qualitative difference between the two spectrums has been lost with in-plane loads for some wave numbers.
