Noether Symmetry Analysis of the Dynamic Euler-Bernoulli Beam Equation

Abstract We study the fourth-order dynamic Euler-Bernoulli beam equation from the Noether symmetry viewpoint. This was earlier considered for the Lie symmetry classification. We obtain the Noether symmetry classification of the equation with respect to the applied load, which is a function of the dependent variable of the underlying equation. We find that the principal Noether symmetry algebra is two-dimensional when the load function is arbitrary and extends for linear and power law cases. For all cases, for each of the Noether symmetries associated with the usual Lagrangian, we construct conservation laws for the equation via the Noether theorem. We also provide a basis of conservation laws by using the adjoint algebra. The Noether symmetries pick out the special value of the power law, which is –7. We consider the Noether symmetry reduction for this special case, which gives rise to a first integral that is used for our numerical code. For this, we then find numerical solutions using an in-built function in MATLAB called bvp4c, which is a boundary value solver for differential equations that are depicted in five figures. The physical solutions obtained are for the deflection of the beam with an increase in displacement. These are given in four figures and discussed.