CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM

FOR TRUSSES
Procedure for Analysis

The following procedure provides a method that may be used to

determine the displacement of any joint of a truss using Castigliano’s
theorem.

External Force 𝑷
• Place a force 𝑃 on the truss at the joint where the desired
displacement is to be determined. This force is assumed to have a
𝜕𝑆
variable magnitude in order to obtain the change 𝜕𝑃. Be sure 𝑃 is
directed along the line of action of the displacement.
Internal Forces S

• Determine the force 𝑆 in each member caused by both the real

(numerical) loads and the variable force 𝑃. Assume tensile
forces are positive and compressive forces are negative.

𝜕𝑆
• Compute the respective partial derivative 𝜕𝑃 for each member.

• After 𝑆 and have been determined, assign 𝑃 its numerical

value if it has replaced a real force on the truss. Otherwise, set
𝑃 equal to zero.
Castigliano’s Theorem

• Apply Castigliano’s theorem to determine the desired

displacement . It is important to retain the algebraic
𝜕𝑆
signs for corresponding values of 𝑆 and when
𝜕𝑃
substituting these terms into the equation.

𝑆𝐿 𝜕𝑆
• If the resultant sum is positive, is in the same
𝐴𝐸 𝜕𝑃
direction as 𝑃. If a negative value results, is opposite to 𝑃.
Example:
Determine the vertical displacement of joint C of the truss shown. The cross-sectional
area of each member is 𝐴 = 400 𝑚𝑚2 and 𝐸 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎.

SOLUTION
External Force 𝑃. A vertical force 𝑃 is applied to the truss at joint 𝐶, since this is
where the vertical displacement is to be determined.
Internal Forces 𝑆. The reactions at the truss supports at 𝐴 and 𝐵 are
determined and the results are shown. Using the method of joints,
the 𝑆 forces in each member are determined. For convenience, these
𝜕𝑆
results along with the partial derivatives 𝜕𝑃 are listed in tabular form
as follows:

- Internal forces due to - Internal forces due to

applied force. vertical force 𝑃.

2
2 3𝑃
0
4 kN
-1.5 kN 1.5 kN 0.5P 0.5P
Tabulated Results:
2
Member L(mm) A(mm ) L/A S(kN) * SL/A ** S/P (SL/A)(S/P)
2
AB 8000 400 20 2 + 23𝑃 40 26.67
3
5
AC 5000 400 12.5 2.5 − 56𝑃 31.25 − -26.04
6
5
BC 5000 400 12.5 −2.5 − 56𝑃 -31.25 − 26.04
6
 = 26.67
* It may be convenient to analyze the truss with just the applied load on it, then analyze
the truss with the load P on it. The result can then be added together to give the S
forces.
** Since P does not really exist as a real load on the truss, we require P=0 in the table
above.

Castigliano’s Theorem.
𝑆𝐿 𝜕𝑆 26.67
∆𝐶 = = = 0.133 𝑚𝑚 (𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑)
𝐴𝐸 𝜕𝑃 200
 Example
For the deck bridge truss loaded as shown,

With cross-sectional areas as follows:

Mbrs. AB, BC, CD, DE, AF, FC, FG, CH, GH, HE = 8000 mm2
Mbrs. BF, DH = 6000 mm2
Mbr. CG = 4000 mm2
Use E = 200 GPa for all members

Requirement: Use Castigliano’s Theorem

Determine the vertical and horizontal deflection of joint F.
Solution:
Determine the axial force of each member using the method of joint and/or method of
section due to the applied load, due to a vertical load, P at point F and due to horizontal load
P also at point F. The results are shown below. Positive value indicates a tensile axial force.

48kN 80kN 64kN

A -122.67 B -122.67 C -133.33 D -133.33 E

Stresses due to applied
-48

loads

-64
0
92kN 100kN
F 181.33 G 181.33 H

A -P B -P C -P/3 D -P/3 E
Stresses due to vertical load
0

P at F
0

0.75P 0.25P
F 2P/3 G 2P/3 H

P
P A -3P/4 B -3P/4 C -P/4 D -P/4 E
Stresses due to horizontal
load P at F
0

3P/16 3P/16
P F P/2 G P/2 H
 Calculation of Vertical Deflection of point F

2
Member L(mm) A(mm ) L/A S(kN) * SL/A ** S/P (SL/A)(S/P)
AB 4000 8000 0.5 −122.67 − 𝑃 −61.33 −1 61.33
BC 4000 8000 0.5 −122.67 − 𝑃 −61.33 −1 61.33
CD 4000 8000 0.5 −133.33 − 𝑃/3 −66.67 −0.33 22.22
DE 4000 8000 0.5 −133.33 − 𝑃/3 −66.67 −0.33 22.22
AF 5000 8000 0.625 153.33 + 5𝑃/4 95.83 1.25 119.79
FG 4000 8000 0.5 181.33 + 2𝑃/3 90.67 0.67 60.45
GH 4000 8000 0.5 181.33 + 2𝑃/3 90.67 0.67 60.45
EH 5000 8000 0.625 166.67 + 5𝑃/12 104.17 0.42 43.40
BF 3000 6000 0.5 −48 −24 0.00 0.00
CF 5000 8000 0.625 −73.33 + 5𝑃/12 −45.83 0.42 −19.10
CG 3000 4000 0.75 0 0 0.00 0.00
CH 5000 8000 0.625 −60 − 5𝑃/12 −37.5 −0.42 15.63
DH 3000 6000 0.5 −64 −32 0.00 0.00
= 447.72
*It may be convenient to analyze the truss with just the applied load on it, then analyze the truss with
the load P on it. The result can then be added together to give the S forces.
** Since P does not really exist as a real load on the truss, we require P=0 in the table above.

𝑆𝐿 𝜕𝑆 447.72
∆𝑉 𝑎𝑡 𝐹 = = 𝑚𝑚 (𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑)
𝐴𝐸 𝜕𝑃 200
 Calculation of Horizontal Deflection of Joint F
2
Member L(mm) A(mm ) L/A S(kN) * SL/A ** S/P (SL/A)(S/P)
AB 4000 8000 0.5 −122.67 − 3𝑃/4 −61.33 −3/4 46
BC 4000 8000 0.5 −122.67 − 3𝑃/4 −61.33 −3/4 46
CD 4000 8000 0.5 −133.33 − 𝑃/4 −66.67 −1/4 16.67
DE 4000 8000 0.5 −133.33 − 𝑃/4 −66.67 −1/4 16.67
AF 5000 8000 0.625 153.33 − 5𝑃/16 95.83 −5/16 −29.95
FG 4000 8000 0.5 181.33 + 𝑃/2 90.67 ½ 45.33
GH 4000 8000 0.5 181.33 + 𝑃/2 90.67 ½ 45.33
EH 5000 8000 0.625 166.67 + 5𝑃/16 104.17 5/16 32.55
BF 3000 6000 0.5 −48 −24 0.00 0.00
CF 5000 8000 0.625 −73.33 + 5𝑃/16 −45.83 5/16 −14.32
CG 3000 4000 0.75 0 0 0.00 0.00
CH 5000 8000 0.625 −60 − 5𝑃/16 −37.5 −5/16 11.72
DH 3000 6000 0.5 −64 −32 0.00 0.00
𝑆 216

𝑆𝐿 𝜕𝑆 216
∆𝐻 𝑎𝑡 𝐹 = 𝐴𝐸 𝜕𝑃
= 200
= 1.08 𝑚𝑚 (to the left)
Example 6
Find the stresses in all members of the truss shown by Castigliano’s
Theorem. The outside members have cross-sectional areas of 6,500
sq.mm and the diagonal members 4,000 sq.mm.

Solution:
First check the determinacy of the structure.
m = number of members = 8
j = number of joints = 5
Re= number of redundant members
= m – 2j + 3 = 8 – 2(5) +3 = 1
Since there are three support reactions, then the beam is statically
indeterminate to the 1st degree internally. Meaning, there is a
redundant member. You may choose any member as redundant.

- In this problem we considered member AD as the redundant

member. In the figure below, member AD has been removed and
then returned with a force P. The forces in each member is
determined and is as shown and is combined in the tabulation.

-20 P

3P/4

3P/4
0
-45

20 kN

45kN P P
15kN

Stresses due to loads Stresses due to stress

with AD removed P along member AD
 Calculation of Stresses in Members
Member L (mm) A (mm2) L/A S (kN) 𝜕𝑆 𝑆𝐿 𝜕𝑆
Stress (kN)
𝜕𝑃 𝐴 𝜕𝑃

AD 4000 6500 8/13 +P +1 0.6154P +11.84

BC 4000 6500 8/13 -20 + P +1 -12.308 + 0.6154P -8.16

AB 3000 6500 6/13 +3/4 P +3/4 +0.2596P +8.88

CD 3000 6500 6/13 -45 + ¾ P +3/4 -15.577 + 0.2596P -36.12

AE 2500 4000 5/8 +25 -5/4 P -5/4 -19.531 + 0.9766P +10.21

EC 2500 4000 5/8 +25 -5/4 P -5/4 -19.531 + 0.9766P +10.21

BE 2500 4000 5/8 - 5/4 P -5/4 + 0.9766P -14.80

ED 2500 4000 5/8 - 5/4 P -5/4 + 0.9766P -14.80

 -66.947 +5.6564 P
𝑆𝐿 𝜕𝑆
Solve for P by equating to zero.
𝐴 𝜕𝑃
5.656P-66.947 = 0 ; P = 11.836 kN

After finding the value of P, its value is substituted in the column 𝑆 (kN) to obtain the
stresses in all the members which are tabulated in the last column.
 7. Solve problem 6 using member AE as the redundant member.

- In this problem we considered member AE as the redundant

member. In the figure below, member AE has been removed and
then returned with a force P. The forces in each member is
determined and is as shown and is combined in the tabulation.
0 -0.8P

-0.6P
-0.6P
+15

-30

P P
+20 -0.8P
20 kN 0
15kN 45kN 0 0
Stresses due to loads with Stresses due to force P
member AE removed along member AE
 Calculation of Stresses in Members
Member L (mm) A (mm2) L/A S (kN) Stresses (kN)
AD 4,000 6,500 0.615 20 -0.8P -0.8 -9.846+0.3938P 11.84
BC 4,000 6,500 0.615 -0.8P -0.8 +0.3938P -8.16
AB 3,000 6,500 0.462 15 -0.6P -0.6 -4.154+0.1662P 8.88
CD 3,000 6,500 0.462 -30 -0.6P -0.6 +8.308+0.1662P -36.12
AE 2,500 4,000 0.625 +P 1 +0.625P 10.21
EC 2,500 4,000 0.625 +P 1 +0.625P 10.21
BE 2,500 4,000 0.625 -25 +P 1 -15.625+0.625P -14.8
ED 2,500 4,000 0.625 -25 +P 1 -15.625+0.625P -14.8
 -36.942+3.620P
𝑆𝐿 𝜕𝑆
Solve for P by equating to zero.
𝐴 𝜕𝑃
-36.942+3.62OP=0 P=10.205 kN
After finding the value of P, its value is substituted in the column S
(kN) to obtain the stresses in all the members which are tabulated in
the last column.
8. Find the stresses in all members of the structure shown by
Castigliano’s Theorem. All members have cross-sectional areas of
4000 sq.mm.

Solution:
The structure is statically determinate internally, but is
indeterminate externally due to the four reaction components.
Consider the horizontal component of the reaction at B as the
redundant constraint.
- In this problem we considered the horizontal reaction at B as the
redundant. In the figure below, the horizontal reaction at B has been
removed and then returned with a force P. The forces in each
member is determined and is as shown and is combined in the
tabulation.

-1.5P
+15

+26.67 +46.67 -P -P

+0.75P
+0.75P
-35
-20

20 kN
P P

5 kN 35 kN 0

Stresses with the Stresses due to horizontal

horizontal reaction at B component of the
removed reaction P at B
 Calculation of Stresses in Members
Member L (mm) A (mm2) L/A S (kN) Stresses (kN)

AC 3,000 4,000 0.75 -20.00+0.75P 0.75 -11.25+0.4219P -1.56

CD 5,000 4,000 1.25 -33.33+1.25P 1.25 -52.078+1.9531P -2.6
DE 5,000 4,000 1.25 -58.33+1.25P 1.25 -91.141+1.9531P -27.6
EB 3,000 4,000 0.75 -35.00+0.75P 0.75 -19.699+0.4219P -16.56
AF 5,000 4,000 1.25 +25.00-1.25P -1.25 -39.063+1.9531P -5.73
FB 5,000 4,000 1.25 -1.25P -1.25 +1.9531P -30.73
CF 4,000 4,000 1 +26.67- P -1 -26.67 + P 2.09
FE 4,000 4,000 1 +46.57- P -1 -46.67 + P 22.09
DF 3,000 4,000 0.75 +15.00-1.50P -1.5 -16.875+1.6875P -21.87
-303.435+12.3437P

−303.435 + 12.3437𝑃 = 0; 𝑃 = 24.582 𝑘𝑁

Having found the value of the redundant constraint P, substitute its
value in the column for 𝑆 (𝑘𝑁) to obtain the stress in each member
as shown on the last column.
9. Solve problem 8 by using the horizontal component of the
reaction at A as the redundant.
- In this problem we considered the horizontal reaction at A as the
redundant. In the figure below, the horizontal reaction at A has been
removed and then returned with a force P. The forces in each member is
determined and is as shown and is combined in the tabulation.

-1.5P
-15

6.67 +26.67 -P -P

+0.75P
+0.75P
-20
-5

P P
20kN

5kN 35kN

Stresses with the horizontal Stresses due to horizontal

reaction at 𝐵 removed component of the reaction 𝑃 at 𝐴
 Calculation of Stresses in Members
Member L (mm) A (mm2) L/A S (kN) ∂S/∂P (SL/A)(∂S/∂P) Stresses (kN)
AC 3,000 4,000 0.75 -5.00+0.75P 0.75 -2.813+0.4219P -1.56
CD 5,000 4,000 1.25 -8.33+1.25P 1.25 -13.016+1.9531P -2.6
DE 5,000 4,000 1.25 -33.33+1.25P 1.25 -52.078+1.9531P -27.6
EB 3,000 4,000 0.75 -20.00+0.75P 0.75 -11.25+0.4219P -16.56
AF 5,000 4,000 1.25 -1.25P -1.25 + 1.9531P -5.73
FB 5,000 4,000 1.25 -25.00-1.25P -1.25 +39.063+1.9531P -30.73
CF 4,000 4,000 1 +6.67- P -1 -6.67 + P 2.09
FE 4,000 4,000 1 +26.67+ P -1 -26.67 + P 22.09
DF 3,000 4,000 0.75 -15.00-1.50P -1.5 +16.875+1.6875P -21.87
-56.559+12.3437P

−56.559 + 12.343𝑃 = 0 𝑃 = 4.582 𝑘𝑁

The resulting stresses in each member is the same as the results in problem 8.
Exercises:
1. Compute the bar forces produced by the applied loads for each of the trusses shown.

3a. Area for all bars = 1000 mm2. 3b. Area for all bars = 1000 mm2.

3c. Area for all bars = 3250 mm2.