Lesson 4: Beam Deflections

Methods Used in Determining the Deflection of a Beam:

I. Direct Integration/ Double Integration Method
II. Area – Moment Method
III. Virtual Work Method

I. Double Integration Method

Equation of Elastic Curve

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑀
∫ 2=∫
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼

𝑑2 𝑦 1
∫ 2
= ∫𝑀
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼

Where:

y = deflection of the beam

x = location of deflection
M = General Moment Equation
E = Modulus of Elasticity
I = Moment of Inertia
EI = Flexural rigidity

Method of Solution:

1. Solve for the reactions using equations of static equilibrium.

2. Determine the general moment equation.
3. Substitute the general moment equation from the equation of the elastic curve.
4. Integrate the equation and the elastic curve to get the indefinite slope equation.
5. Integrate the indefinite slope equation to get the indefinite deflection equation.
6. Solve for the constants of integration using the following boundary conditions:
 For hinge and roller support:

Deflection: 𝑦 = 0
Slope:𝑦 ′ ≠ 0

For fixed support:

Deflection: 𝑦 = 0
Slope:𝑦 ′ = 0

7. Substitute the constants to get the definite slope and deflection equations.
8. Locate the maximum deflection by equating the definite slope equation to zero.
9. Solve for the maximum deflection.
Sample Problems:
1. From the simply supported beam loaded below, determine the following:

a. Deflection 2 m from left support

b. Slope at right support
c. Maximum deflection

2. Find the deflection at mid-span and at the free end of the cantilever beam loaded
below.

3. Determine the maximum deflection for the beam shown in the figure.

II. Area – Moment Method

Theorems of Area – Moment Method

A useful and simple way of determining slopes and deflections in beams involves the area
of the moment diagram and also the moment of that area – the area – moment method.
The method is especially useful in determining the slope or deflection of a specified
position. It emphasizes the physical significance of slope and deflection.

Theorem 1: the change in slope between tangents drawn to the elastic curve at any two
1
points A and B is equal to the product of 𝐸𝐼 multiplied by the area of the moment diagram
between these to points.

1
𝜃𝐴𝐵 = (𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎)𝐴𝐵
𝐸𝐼

Theorem 2: the deviation of any point B relative to a tangent drawn to the elastic curve at
any other point A, in a direction perpendicular to the original position of the beam, is equal
1
to the product of 𝐸𝐼 multiplied by the moment of area about B of that part of the moment
diagram between points A and B.
 1
𝑡𝐵/𝐴 = (𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎)𝐵𝐴 ∙ ̅̅̅
𝑥𝐵
𝐸𝐼

Moment Diagrams by Parts

The construction of moment diagrams by parts depends on two basic principles:

1. The resultant bending moment at any section caused by any load system is the
algebraic sum of the bending moments at that section caused by each load acting
separately.

𝑀 = (∑ 𝑀) = (∑ 𝑀)
𝐿 𝑅

2. The moment effect of any specified loading is always some variation of the equation

𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥 𝑛

1 1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝑛+1
∙ 𝑏ℎ 𝑥̅ = 𝑛+2 ∙ 𝑏

Where:

b = base
h = height
Cantilever Loadings

Type of Loading Moment Equation

1. Couple 𝑀 = −𝐶
2. Concentrated Loads 𝑀 = −𝑃𝑥
3. Uniformly Distributed 𝑤𝑜
𝑀 = − 𝑥2
Loads 2
4. Varying Loads 𝑤𝑜 3
𝑀=− 𝑥
6𝐿

Degree of Moment Equation

Degree of Moment
Equation Area 𝑥̅
Zero 1
𝑏
𝑏ℎ 2
1st degree 1 1
𝑏ℎ 𝑏
2 3
2nd degree 1 1
𝑏ℎ 𝑏
3 4
3rd degree 1 1
𝑏ℎ 𝑏
4 5
A. Deflections of Simply Supported Beams

Method of Solution:

1. Compute 𝑡𝐶/𝐴 using the relation

1
𝑡𝐶/𝐴 = (𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎)𝐶𝐴 ∙ 𝑥
̅̅̅̅̅
𝐶𝐴
𝐸𝐼

2. From the relation between similar triangles, determine 𝐸𝐹 in terms of 𝑡𝐶/𝐴 using

𝑥
𝐸𝐹 = ∙𝑡
𝐿 𝐶/𝐴

3. Compute 𝑡𝐵/𝐴 from the relation

1
𝑡𝐵/𝐴 = (𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎)𝐵𝐴 ∙ ̅̅̅
𝑥𝐵
𝐸𝐼

4. Since 𝐸𝐹 is the sum of 𝛿 and 𝑡𝐵/𝐴 , the value of 𝛿 is given by

𝛿 = 𝐸𝐹 − 𝑡𝐵/𝐴

Sample Problems:
1. The simple beam in the figure supports a concentrated load of 300 N at 2 m from the
left support.

a. Compute the deflection of B.

b. Compute the slope of the elastic curve at the left reaction.
c. Locate the position of maximum deflection.

2. Determine the value of deflection at D for the beam shown in the figure.

3. For the beam shown in the figure, find the value of 𝐸𝐼𝛿 at 2 ft from R2.

4. Determine the mid – span value of 𝐸𝐼𝛿 for the beam shown in the figure that carries
a uniformly varying load over part of the span.

5. Find the deflection at mid – span.

B. Deflection of Cantilever Beams (Area Moment Method)

Sample Problems:
1. For the cantilever beam shown in the figure, it is assumed that E = 1.728 x 106 psi, I
= 15.6 in4. What value of P will cause a 1 – in deflection at the free end?
 2. The cantilever beam shown has a rectangular cross section of 50 mm wide by h mm
high. Find the height h if the maximum deflection is not to exceed 10 mm. Use E =
10 GPa.

3. For the beam loaded as shown, determine the deflection 6 ft from the wall. Use E =
1.5 x 106 psi and I = 40 in4.

C. Mid – span Deflection

In a symmetrically loaded beam, the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at mid – span
is horizontal and parallel to the unloaded beam. In such beams, the deviation at either
support from the mid – span is equal to the mid – span deflection.

For simple beams that are unsymmetrically loaded, the mid – span deflection can be
found as easily as for a symmetrically loaded beam. All that needs to be done is to
add a symmetrically placed load for each load actually acting on the beam. The effect
of this transformation to symmetry is to double the actual mid – span deflection. In
other words, the actual mid – span deflection is equal to one half the mid – span
deflection of the transformed symmetrically loaded beam.

Sample Problems:

1. A simply supported beam of length L carries a load that varies uniformly from zero
at the left end to wo at the right end. Determine the mid – span deflection.

2. Determine the mid – span value of 𝐸𝐼𝛿 caused by the loads shown in the figure.

3. For the beam shown in the figure, show that the mid – span deflection is 𝛿 =
𝑃𝑏
(48𝐸𝐼) (3𝐿2 − 4𝑏 2 ).

4. Determine the mid – span value of 𝐸𝐼𝛿 for the beam shown in the figure.

III. Virtual Work Method

𝐵 𝑀 𝑀 𝑑𝑥
𝑃 𝑄
∑ 𝑄𝛿𝐶 = ∫
𝐴 𝐸𝐼

Where:

dx = differential distance
E = Modulus of Elasticity (N/mm2)
I = Moment of Inertia (mm4)
MQ = moment due to Q – system with x – distance (kN – m)
MP = moment due to P – system with x – distance (kN – m)
Derivation of Deflection Formula by Virtual Work

Problem: Derive the deflection formula at mid – span of a simply supported beam with a
span length of L (m) and carrying a uniformly distributed load of W (kN/m) in its entire
length.

Actual Deflection of Beams by Virtual Work Method:

Sample Problems:

1. Compute for the actual deflection of the beam shown in the figure. Use E = 200,000
MPa and I = 400 x 106 mm4.

2. Using Virtual Work Method, determine the deflection at the free end of the cantilever
beam shown in the figure.

3. Find the deflection at mid – span of the simple beam shown in the figure using Virtual
Work Method.

4. A cantilever beam carries a vertical downward load of 150 kN at point B and a uniform
load of 30 kN/m from C to D. Assume EI to be constant. Solve for the deflection at
point B and D using Virtual Work Method.