The　dynamic　behaviors　of　two　beams　connected　by　a　joint　with　clearance　are　investigated.　A　new　equivalent　joint　model　using　the　transverse　and　torsion　spring　systems　is　developed　to　describe　the　dynamics　of　two　jointed　beams　with　clearance.　Based　on　the　finite　element　method　(FEM),　the　equations　of　motion　of　the　two　jointed　beams　with　clearance　are　established　using　Hamilton＇s　principle.　A　modified　numerical　solution　method　is　presented　based　on　the　Newmark　integration　method　to　solve　the　equations　with　the　nonlinearity　due　to　clearance.　The　contributions　of　the　clearance　size　and　stiffness　on　the　amplitude-frequency　response　are　discussed.　The　effects　of　the　clearance　on　the　vibration　transfer　between　the　two　connected　beams　and　the　impact　force　of　the　joint　are　investigated.　(C)　2019　Elsevier　Inc.　All　rights　reserved.