BFC 20903 (Mechanics of Materials)

Chapter 4: Deformation of Statically Determinate Structure (Beam Deflection)

Shahrul Niza Mokhatar

shahruln@uthm.edu.my
 Chapter Learning Outcome
• Develop the general equation for the elastic curve of
a deflected beam by using double integration
method and area-moment method.

• State the boundary conditions of a deflected beam

• Determine the deflections and slopes of elastic

curves of simply supported beams and cantilever
beams.

BFC 20903 (Mechanics of Materials)

Shahrul Niza Mokhatar (shahrul@uthm.edu.my
 Introduction
• When a structure is placed under load - bend, deflect or displace.
• The deflection will depend on the following factors:
– Geometry of the structure, including shape and
flexural rigidity of member.
– Flexibility/rigidity of the material used.
– Restraint of the supports.
– Load pattern

• This chapter is intended as an introduction to the analytical techniques used for

calculating deflections in beams and also for calculating the rotations at critical
locations along the length of a beam
 Introduction
• Load applied on the beam, it is often helpful to sketch the
deflected shape before the slope or displacement at any point on a
beam can be determined.
• This deflection diagram called as an elastic curve.
• However it is necessary to know how the slope or displacement is
restricted at various types of supports. The zero slope and zero
displacement occur at all fixed supports and zero displacement
occurs at all pin and roller support.
 Deflection of Beams
The deflection is measured from the original neutral
surface of the beam to the neutral surface of the
deformed beam. The configuration assumed by the
deformed neutral surface is known as the elastic curve of
the beam as shown in Figure

Numerous methods are available for the determination of beam

deflections. These methods include:
1. Double Integration Method
2. Macaulay Function
3. Moment Area Method
4. Strain Energy Method (Castigliano’s Theorem)
5. Conjugate Beam Method
6. Method of Superposition
 Equation to determine deflection
1)

2)

3)

4)

5)
 Boundary Condition
• Generally, the deflections is known as y-values and slopes is known as
dx/dy. The values are called boundary conditions, which normally are:
When ,
• Cantilever beam x = L, deflection, y = 0
x = L, slope, dy/dx = 0

• Simply support When ,

x = 0, deflection, y = 0
x = L, deflection y= 0
x = L/2, slope dy/dx = 0
• Cantilever at one free end

When ,
x = L, deflection, y = 0
x = L, slope, dx/dy = 0
x = L + L1, deflection y= 0
 Example
• The cantilevered beam with length, L shown in figure is subjected
to a vertical load, P at its end. Determine the maximum slope and
deflection using double integration method. EI is constant.

Free body diagram

Example
 Macaulay Function
• Double Integration Method is adequate for
simple problems
• If the loads applied on a beam is more
complex, it is difficult to generate the equation
because it involved too many section
• Named after the mathematician W.H.
Macaulay
 Macaulay Function

 • represent the coordinate position of a point along the beam

• is the location on the beam where a “discontinuity” occurs or the point
where a distributed loading begins
• These functions are valid only for exponential value
• Note that the distributed loading must extend all the way to the beam’s
right end to be valid.
Macaulay Function
Example
Example
Determine the slope and
deflection at C for the
cantilevered beam shown
in Figure.
EI is constant.
 Solution
• Cut
  at the end of the beam gave following
moment;
 Solution
•Boundary
  Condition:
 Solution
•  

(answer)

(answer)
 Moment Area Method
• Defined as semi-graphical technique.

• Suitable to calculate the slope of tangents or the vertical deviation-

deflection at selected points on a beam.
– It requires finding area segments under the M/EI diagram on the elastic curve.

• Procedure for beam analysis can be summarized as;

– Calculate the support reactions
– Draw the M/EI diagram
– Select the reference tangent, t either
• a known point with zero slope
• determine tangential deviation of one support and the other also finding the
angle.
 Theorem
Theorem 1 – Slope
– The change in slope between the tangents drawn to the elastic
curve at any two points A and B
– is equal to the product of 1/EI multiplied by the area of the moment diagram
between these two points.

 
𝟏
𝜽 𝑨𝑩 = ( 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂𝑨𝑩 )
𝑬𝑰
 Theorem 2 – Deflection
• The deviation of any point B relative to the tangent drawn to the
elastic curve at any other point A, in a direction perpendicular to the
original position of the beam,
– is equal to the product of 1/EI multiplied by the moment of an area about B of that
part of the moment diagram between points A and B.

  𝟏
𝒕 𝑨 / 𝑩= ( 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝑨𝑩 ) . Ẋ 𝑩
𝑬𝑰
  𝟏
𝒕 𝑩 / 𝑨 = ( 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝑨𝑩 ) . Ẋ 𝑨
𝑬𝑰
 Basic principles
• The bending moment caused by all forces to the left or to the right of any
section is equal to the respective algebraic sum of the bending moments at
that section caused by each load acting separately;
 𝑴 = ( 𝚺 𝑴 )𝑳 =( 𝚺 𝑴 )𝑹
• The moment of a load about a specified axis is always defined by the
equation of a spandrel;
 𝒀 =𝒌 𝒙 𝒏
• where n is the degree of power of x
• The graph of the above equation is as shown below
Area, A and location of centroid, XG

  𝟏
𝑨= 𝒃𝒉
𝒏+𝟏
  𝟏
𝑿𝑮= 𝒃
𝒏+𝟐
Example
Solution
Example
Solution
Calculation of deflection and slope using theorem I and theorem II

1)
2)
3)
3)
- END -