The Double Integration Method

Figure shows the exaggerated view of the elastic curve of a

deflected beam. Select the left support as origin of an x axis
directed along the original un-deflected position of the beam
and a y axis directed positive upward. The deflections are so
small so that the difference in the original length of the beam
and the projection of its deflected length is negligible.
Consequently, the elastic curve is very flat so its slope at any
point is very small. The value of the tan θ = dy/dx maybe set to
θ with minimal error.

dy

dx
Differentiating with respect to x

d d 2 y
 EQ. 1
dx dx2
Differential length of arc ds

𝑑𝑠 = 𝑝𝑑𝜃

Since elastic curve is very flat

𝑑𝑠 = 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 = 𝑝𝑑𝜃 EQ. 2
Combining EQs. 1 and 2

1 d2y
 EQ. 3
 dx 2
From the derivation of the flexure formula

1 M
 EQ. 4
 EI
Equating EQs 3 and 4

d2y
M  EI EQ. 5
dx2
Equation 5 is known as the differential equation of the elastic curve of a beam. The product EI is
called the flexural rigidity which is usually constant along the length of the beam. M is the moment
equation expressed in terms of x.
Integrating EQ. 5 assuming EI is constant

dy
dx 
EI  Mdx  C1

This is the equation of the slope of the elastic curve or the value of dy/dx at any point. C 1
is a constant of integration to be evaluated from the given condition of loading.

Integrating EQ. 6 assuming EI is constant

EIy   Mdxdx  C1 x  C2

This is the equation of the deflection of the elastic curve the value of y for any value of x .
C2 is another constant of integration to be evaluated from the given condition of the beam and its
loading.

To evaluate C1 and C2

From the given figure of the elastic curve @ x = 0, y = 0

@ x = L, y = 0

Example 6.2

Using the double integration method, establish the

equations for slope and deflection for the uniformly
loaded beam. Evaluate the deflection at mid-span and
the slope at support A. EI is constant.
Solution:

Compute for the Moment Equation:

M
  dx;
EI
M
y   dxdx
EI
 wLx x
 y ( EI )     ( wx ) dxdx
 2 2

 wLx 2 wx 3   wLx 2 wx 3 
    C1 dx      C1 dx
 (2  2) 2(3)   4 6 

wLx 3 wx 4 wLx 3 wx 4
   C1 x  C2  y ( EI )    C1 x  C2
(4  3) (6  4) 12 24

To evaluate the constants of integration C1 and C2, we use the boundary conditions at supports A
and B.

At A, x = 0 and y = 0

C2  0

At B, x = L and y = 0.

wL4 wL4
0   C1 ( L)
12 24
wL4
C1  
24

Substituting C1 and C2 and dividing both sides by EI yield:

dy wLx 2 wx 3 wL3
    ;
dx 4 EI 6 EI 24 EI
wLx 3 wx 4 wL3 x
y  
12 EI 24 EI 24 EI
Compute the deflection at midspan by substituting x = L /2 :

5wL4
y
384 EI

Compute the slope at A by substituting x = 0

dy wL3
A  
dx 24 EI

Example 6.3

Determine the slope and deflection at point B of

the cantilever beam shown in by the double
integration method.

Solution:

Compute for the Moment Equation:

M  1520  x 

M
  dx;
EI
M
y   dxdx  y ( EI )    15(20  x)dxdx
EI
 x2 
 15 (20 x  )  C1 dx
 2 
x3
y ( EI )  15(10 x 2  )  C1 x  C2
6
To evaluate the constants of integration C1 and C2, we use the boundary conditions at support A
 At A, x = 0 and Ꝋ = 0

C1  0

At A, x = 0 and y = 0.

C2  0

Substituting C1 and C2 and dividing both sides by EI yield:

15 x2
  (20 x 2  );
EI 2
15 x3
y (10 x 2  )
EI 6

Compute the deflection at point B by substituting x = 20ft:

y  3.14in

Compute the slope at B by substituting x = 20.

 B  0.0197rad

Example 6.4

Using double integration method, determine the Mid span

deflection of the beam shown. Assume constant EI.

Solution:

Compute for the Moment Equation:

M  78 x  60{x  2}  75{x  6}
 M
  dx;
EI
M
y   dxdx
EI

y ( EI )   78 x  60{x  2}  75{x  6}dxdx


  39 x 2  30{x  2}2  37.5{x  6}2  C1 d x 
y ( EI )  13x 3  10{x  2}3  12.5{x  6}3  C1 x  C2

Note: quantities inside { } symbol must be ignored for negative values

To evaluate the constants of integration C1 and C2, we use the boundary conditions at supports A
and B.

At A, x = 0 and y = 0

At B, x = 10 and y = 0.

EI (0)  13(10)3  10{10  2}3  12.5{10  6}3  C1 (10)  0

 C1  708

Substituting C1 and C2 and dividing both sides by EI yield:

y ( EI )  13x 3  10{x  2}3  12.5{x  6}3  708 x

Compute the deflection at point B by substituting x = 5m:

2185
y kN .m3
EI
Example 6.5

Using double integration method, locate and compute the

maximum deflection of the beam given in the previous
problem. Assume constant EI.

Solution:

Compute for the Moment Equation:

M  78 x  60{x  2}  75{x  6}

Equation of slope as derived in the previous problem:

0  39 x 2  30{x  2}2  708

 Expand:

0  39 x 2  30{x 2  4 x  4}  708
0  9 x 2  120 x  828
 120  (120) 2  4(9)(828)
x
2(9)
x  5.014m  location

Compute the maximum deflection by substituting the value of x :

y ( EI )  13x 3  10{x  2}3  12.5{x  6}3  708 x

 13(5.014)3  10{5.014  2}3  708(5.014)

2185.02
y kN .m3
EI

Example 6.6

Determine the Slope and deflection under the 45 kN load. EI

is constant. E = 200 Gpa, I = 4(106) mm 4

Solution:
Compute for the Moment Equation:

M  87 x  45{x  2}  12 x 2

M
  dx;
EI
M
y   dxdx
EI

 
y ( EI )   87 x  45{x  2}  12 x 2 dxdx

  43.5 x 2  22.5{x  2}2  4 x 3  C1 dx
y ( EI )  14.5 x 3  7.5{x  2}3  x 4  C1 x  C2

To evaluate the constants of integration C1 and C2, we use the boundary conditions at supports A
and B.
At A, x = 0 and y = 0

At B, x = 5 and y = 0.
EI (0)  14.5(5)3  7.5{5  2}3  54  C1 5  0
 C1  197
Substituting C1 and C2 and dividing both sides by EI yield:

  43.5 x 2  22.5{x  2}2  4 x 3  197

y ( EI )  14.5 x 3  7.5{x  2}3  x 4  197 x

Compute the slope and deflection under the 45kN load by substituting x = 2m:

dy
EI  43.5(2) 2  22.5{2  2}2  4(2)3  197
dx
dy  55
  kN .m 2
dx EI

EIy  14.5(2)3  7.5{2  2}3  2 4  197(2)

 294
y kN .m3
EI