MACHINE DESIGN - An Integrated Approach, 4th Ed.

Example 4-8-1

EXAMPLE 4-8

Finding Reactions of a Statically Indeterminate Beam Using Castigliano's Method

Problem: Find the reaction forces for the indeterminate beam in Figure 4-22e.
Given: The load is uniformly distributed over the beam as shown. Length is l. The magnitude of the
distributed force is w.
Assumptions: Ignore the beam weight as negligible compared to the applied load.

Solution: See Figure 4-22e and Mathcad file EX0408.

1. Consider the reaction force at A to be redundant and remove it temporarily. The beam will then be statically
determinate and will deflect at A. Now consider the reation force RA to be an unknown applied load that will
force the deflection to be zero (as it must be if point A is supported). If we write an equation for the
deflection at A in terms of the force RA and then solve it for RA with the deflection set to zero, we will
determinethe necessary reaction force RA.
2. Write equation 4.21 for the deflection yA at the unknown applied load RA in terms of the strain energy in the
beam at that point.
 (a)
yA = U
RA
3. Substitute equation 4.22d and differentiate.

 l  l
 1  M2    M  

yA =   dx =   M  dx (b)
RA  2  E I  E I RA
   
 0  0
4. Write an expression for the bending moment at a distance x from A:

1 2
M = RA x   w x (c)
2

5. Its derivative with respect to RA is:

 (d)
M =x
RA

6. Substitute (c) and (d) in (b) to get:

l  3 4
1   R  x2  1  w x3 dx = 1   RA l  w l 
yA =   A  (e)
E I 
  2  E I  3 8 
0

7. Set yA = 0 and solve for RA to get:

3
RA =  w l (f)
8

8. From sum of forces and sum of moments we get:

5 1 2
RR =  w l M1 =  w l (g)
8 8

EX0408.xmcd