Studies of numerical methods to decouple structure and fluid interaction have reported the need for more precise approximations of higher structure eigenvalues and eigenvectors than are currently available from standard finite elements. The purpose of this study is to investigate hybrid finite element models composed of standard finite elements and exact-elements for the prediction of higher structure eigenvalues and eigenvectors. An exact beam-element dynamic-stiffness formulation is presented for a plane Timoshenko beam with rotatory inertia. This formulation is based on a converted continuum transfer matrix and is incorporated into a typical finite element program for eigenvalue/vector problems. Hybrid models using the exact-beam element generate transcendental, nonlinear eigenvalue problems. An eigenvalue extraction technique for this problem is also implemented. Also presented is a post-processing capability to reconstruct the mode shape each of exact element at as many discrete locations along the element as desired. The resulting code has advantages over both the standard transfer matrix method and the standard finite element method. The advantage over the transfer matrix method is that complicated structures may be modeled with the converted continuum transfer matrix without having to use branching techniques. The advantage over the finite element method is that fewer degrees of freedom are necessary to obtain good approximations for the higher eigenvalues. The reduction is achieved because the incorporation of an exact-beam-element is tantamount to the dynamic condensation of an infinity of degrees of freedom. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the advantages of this method. First, the eigenvalues of a fixed-fixed beam are found with purely finite element models, purely exact-element models, and a closed-form solution. Comparisons show that purely exact-element models give, for all practical purposes, the same eigenvalues as a closed-form solution. Next, a Portal Arch and a Verdeel Truss structure are modeled with hybrid models, purely finite element, and purely exact-element models. The hybrid models do provide precise higher eigenvalues with fewer degrees of freedom than the purely finite element models. The purely exact-element models were the most economical for obtaining higher structure eigenvalues. The hybrid models were more costly than the purely exact-element models, but not as costly as the purely finite element models. / Ph. D.