Chapter 4

Deflection and buckling

Learning outcomes:
 Determine factors affecting
deflection of beams

Compute
deflection of
beams subjected
with different
loadings.

 formulas for some

common beams.
 Deflection
In structural engineering terms, refers to the
movement of a beam or node from its original position
due to the forces and loads being applied to the
member.
 Need of determining deflection

 Failure to control beam deflection with in proper limit in

building results in cracks in walls and ceilings, psychological
frustration of occupants and stacking of opening beams in
machine.

 Deflections of structures can occur from various sources, such

as loads, temperature, fabrication errors, or settlement.
Limits of deflections
DEFLECTIONS: GEOMETRIC METHODS
 Deflection Diagrams and the Elastic Curve
 Elastic-Beam Theory
 Moment-Area Method
 Conjugate Beam Method
Deflection Diagrams and the Elastic Curve




 
roller or rocker

 fixed-connected joint


pin 





fixed support
pin-connected joint
 P

-M
 P

inflection point

+M

-M
 P

-M
 inflection point

inflection point
P

inflection point
 P1

B C D
A

P2

M
+M
x
-M

inflection point
 P1

P2

+M
x
-M

inflection point
Elastic-Beam Theory


P
w
M

x 

x
dx 0´



s = x s´
M M
y x y x
Before
After
deformation
deformation
 • Moment-curvature relationship

0´


y s´ 
s = x
x
y x
x  s  x'  ( )
( )  y

Before After
deformation deformation
Curvature
M 1
 ------(8-1)
EI  Radius of

Curvature
 0´


dx  d


1
d   dx

y s´ 
s = x M ------(8-2)
x    EI dx
y x
x  s 
( ) 
Before After
deformation deformation
If we chose the axis positive upward, and if we can express the curvature (1/)
terms of x and , weincan then determine the elastic curve for the beam.

1 d 2 / dx 2

 [1 (d /
dx) 2 ]3 / 2

Therefore,

M d 2 / dx 2

EI [1 (d /
dx) 2 ]3 / 2
d 2 M ------(8-3)*
(
d
) 0
2 dx 2  EI
dx
* Small deflection theory
The Double Integration Method
P
w
A D
B C
x1

x2

x3

d 2 M ------(8-3)
dx 2  EI
• Sign Convention

 0'
+w
+ elastic
+
+M +M curve
+d
+V +V + ds +d
+
x
+x +dx
• Boundary condition • Continuity Conditions

1,2
 P
a b
 A B
C
roller or rocker 

x1
 x2


pin
at point B, x1 = x2 = a,

1 (a)   2 (a)
 1 (a)  2 (a)

fixed support
integration Constants
P
PL
d  M
2

dx2  EI
P
Slope () d V L
 dx  (I1 ) 
M
dx  EI C1
x
Deflection ()    (I 1  c1 )dx  I 2  2
M
C
x
EI I1
d
dx
C1
x
I2

 C2
x
• Cantilever Beam Moment-curvature relationship
P
PL A x B d 2 M
dx 2  EI
P d 2 1 (PL 
L 2 
V dx EI Px)
P
1 (PLx  Px
2
+ Px d 
P x 
)  C1 (1)
M 1 ( PLx
2
dx  EI 
2Px )  C1 x  C 2
3
 
x EI 2 (2)
6
-PL + Px Boundary Condition
d -PL  ( d )
dx
C1 = 0
x 0
x0

dx
PL2 0
 0 Px 2
2EI d 1    C1 

 0 0
C2 = 0 x
 0 (PLx 
 ( )x0
C120 0
3
 PL 0 1 ) PLx Px 3 0
3EI dx EI (  2 )  C1 x    C2  0
EI 2 6
C2
• Simply Support Moment-curvature relationship
P
x
A B d 2 M
dx 2  EI
P/2 L/2 P/2
L/2 d 2 1 Px
 ( )
V P/2 dx2 EI 2
x d 1 ( Px 2 

-P/2 (1)
1 ) 3 C1
Px
M P
x
PL/4 dx EI
( 4 )  C1 x  C 2  
2 x  (2)
EI 12
Boundary Condition
d
dx x  ()x0  0
0 0
03
C1 1 ( Px 2 PL   1 ( Px )  C1 x  C 2  
2
 0
) C2
 C = 0EI 4 16 EI 12
2
x  ( d )
3 xL
20
/
 PL dx0 L/2
1 Px3 PxL2 48EI d 1 Px 2 PL2
(  )  ( )    C1  
EI 12 16 dx C EI 4 16EI
1
• Simply Support Moment-curvature relationship
x w
A B d 2 M
dx 2  EI
wL/2 L wL/2
d 2 1 ( wx 2  wLx)
wx 2
 wLx dx 2 EI
M 
wx
A 2 2 2 2 2
d  1 ( wx  wLx
3

)  C1   
dx EI 6
wL/2 V 4 4 (1)
x 1 ( wx 3 wLx )  C x  C   
   1 2
V wL/2 EI 24 12
(2)
x Boundary Condition
wx 2 wLx wL/2
M  wL2/4  () x
00
2 2 x 0 04
0
x 1 ( wx 3 wLx )  C x     C 

ddx    1 2
EI 240 12 C2 0
C1   x L  0
0
 C2 = 0 x wL3
1 wx wLx
4 3
  C1  
5wL4  (  )  C1 24EI
 EI 24 12
384EI x
Example 4.1

The beam shown is subjected to a load P at its end. Determine the equation of the
elastic curve and the slope and displacement at C. EI is constant.

B C
A
2a a
 x1 x2
P • Double Integration of x1
B C d 2 M x Px
A 1
 EI 1   2EI1
dx1 2

2a a d1 Mx
  ( 1 )dx   Px1  C   
2
P/2
3P/2 dx1 EI 4EI (1)
1

V P P
M
+ x 1   ( x )dx)dx 1

P - EI
P
2 Px1 3
2 1    C1 x 1  
M 12EI
C2 (2)
x
Boundary conditions
-
P 1
M x   2 x1
1
 Pa M x2  Pa  x1 0  C2  0
Px2 0;
Pa 2
1 x1 2a
 0; C1 
3EI
 x1 x2
P • Double Integration of x2
B B C d 2 M Pa 
A 2 x  
B dx 2 
Px
2 2
2a a M 2 2
d2  ( x )dx Pax2  Px2
P/2  EI 2
EI EI
  C3 
3P/2 dx2 EI 2EI (3)
V P P EI2   (
M dx)dx
x2
+ x
P - EI
P
2 Pax 22 Px2 3
2 2     C3 x 2  C 4   
M 2EI 6EI
(4)
x
Boundary conditions
-
P M x2  Pa  2  0; C4 
Mx  
1 x 2 x2 0
1 2  Px 0
PaSlope at C d 1 d 2 ; 2Pa 2
• Deflection and 
 dx1 x1 2a
dx2 x2 0
C3  
3EI
3 Pa 3
C  Pa Pa
3
2 x2 a   3
2EI 6EI 3EI EI

2 2 2
Pa Pa 2Pa2 7Pa
 C  d2 x2 a
   
dx2 EI 2EI 3EI
6EI
 x1 x2
P
• Conclusion
A B C
A
Pa 2 2a a C
d Px 2
P/2
dx1  
1 1
 C1 3EI 3P/2
V P P
4EI Pa2
0 + x
Px 3 3EI P -
1   1  C1 x1  P
12EI 2
C2 2
2Pa 2 M
 x
d Pax Px 2 3EI
2  2  2 C -
dx2 EI 2EI 3
P
 2Pa 2 Mx  2 x
1
1
 Pa M x2  Pa 
Px2
3EI 0
2  
Pax 22 Px2 3
  C3 x 2   C1 = A   Px12
2EI 6EI x  A
C4 
1
4EI x

C3 =  B 7Pa 2
y 
C 6EI
x
C   EI
Pa 3
C2 = 0 = A C4 = 0 =  B
Moment - Area Theorems
• The angle between the tangents
Theorem 1: B/A = The area under the M/EI diagram between B and A
w
M  EI 
d 2

 If slope is small
dx 2
A dx B d d
M  EI ( )  EI
d dx
dx dx

M
d  EI dx
A B
tangent B B/A tangent A
 B /   B M dx
A EI
A
M/EI M
EI

B/A x
A dx B
 • The vertical deviation

Theorem 2: tA/B = The moment area under the M/EI diagram between B and A, this
moment is computed about A.
w w

A B A B

A B
A B
tangent B tangent A
tangent A tB/A
tangent B
tA/B

M/EI M/EI

x A B x
A B xB
xA

t A /  x A  B M dx t B /  xB  B M dx
A EI A EI
B A
 General form

w dt  xd

M
dt  x EI dx
A B
xdx
t x dx
x dx x M
Q

A B
P/
Q
M EIEI
P
P Q
t  xM dx
xddt d  xP  dx
EI
x M
M/EI tA /  dx
x
A EI

 x A  M dx
P Q x EI

x P
 Example 4.2

Determine the slope and deflection at points B and C of the beam shown in the
figure. Take E = 200 GPa and I = 250(106) mm4

9 kN

A B C
4.5 m
9m

05/21/2023
SOLUTION 9 kN

A B C
81 kN•m
4.5 m
9 kN
9m

M /EI
4.5 m 9m
x (m)

-40.5/EI
-81/EI

B
C
M /EI 4.5 m M /EI 9 m
B C C
A x (m) A x (m)

-40.5/EI
-81/EI -81/EI
B/A A
A tangent A
tangent A C/A
B B
B tangent B C
C
C tangent C
B = B/A = the area under the M/EI diagram C = C/A = the area under the M/EI diagram
between point A and B between point A and C

1 40.5 81 1 81
 (2 
EI )(4.5)
EI  2 ( )(9)
EI

273.38 2 364.50 2
 EI kN  m  EI kN  m
273.38 kN  m 2 364.5 kN  m 2
 
kN kN
(200 10 6 2
)(250 10 6 m 4 ) (200 10 6 2
)(250 10  6 m 4 )
m m
C = -0.00729 rad
B = -0.00547 rad
 M /EI 4.5
(
81

40.5
)(4.5)  
182.25 2 B C
EI EI EI A x (m)


1
(4.5)(
81

40.5
)
91.125
2
-40.5/EI
4.5
2 EI EI EI -81/EI 3
4.5 m

A B = tB/A tangent A
B tangent B
C
B = tB/A = the moment of the M/EI diagram between A and B computed about point B.

2
182.25 4.5 91.125
 ( EI kN  m )( 2 m)  (
2
EI kN  m )( 3 4.5
2

m)
683.44 kN  m 3

683.44 kN  m 3 (200 106 kN2 )(25010 6 m 4 )
 EI m

B = -0.01367 m = -13.67 mm
 M /EI 9m
C
A x (m)
1 81  364.5
( )(9) 
2 EI EI
-81/EI 2
9
3

A
tangent A
B
C = tC/A
C
tangent C
C = tC/A = the moment of the M/EI diagram between A and C computed
about point C.
2
364.5
 ( EI kN  m 2 )( 9
m) 3 2187 kN  m 3
3 kN
EI (200 10 6 )(25010 6 m 4 )
2187 kN  m  m2

C = -0.04374 m = -43.74 mm
 37
Conjugate-Beam Method
dV  w d 2M w
dx 2  
dx

d  M d 2 M
dx EI dx 2  EI

Or integrating,

V   M   [ 
wdx wdx]dx

M M
   (EI )dx    [  (EI )dx]dx
Theorem 1: The slope at a point in the real beam is numerically equal
to the shear at the corresponding point in the conjugate beam.
Theorem 2: The displacement of a point in the real beam is
numerically equal to the moment at the corresponding point in the
conjugate beam.

A B
w
L
real beam

M/EI
A' B'
L

conjugate beam
• Conjugate - Beam Supports

Real Beam Conjugate Beam

1)  V
external pin pin
= M=0
0
2)  V
external roller roller
= M=0
0
3)  V
internal pin hinge
= M=0
0
4)  V
internal roller hinge
= M=0
0
5) V
hinge internal roller
 M

6)  = 0 V =0
fixed free
=0 M=0

7) V
free fixed
 M

Real Beam Conjugate Beam

hinge

hinge

hinge
hinge
Example 4.3

The beam shown is subjected to a load P at its end. Determine the slope and
displacement at C. EI is constant.

B C
A
C
2a a
SOLUTION 
P
 =
= 0 C
0A B Real Beam
EI 
2a a 
M
EI diagram
Pa 2 Pa2
Pa
EI  2EI
EI Pa3
V´ Hinge EI
M´ = 0 Conjugate Beam
V´ V´
Pa 2 M´ = 0 M´ 7Pa
2

Pa 2 3EI 6EI
3EI
V´
2
 diagram
 2Pa
 7Pa 2
3EI
6EI
M´
Pa3
  diagram
3EI
 Conjugate Beam 2
a
1 3
(2a)
3 a
2a V´B
B B C M´C
A N´B = 0 0 = N´B
V´B
Pa 2 Pa2 R´C
R´A Pa
EI  2EI
EI

Member AB: Member BC:

Pa 2 2Pa 2 Pa 2
+ MB = 0: 1EI 3
( 2a)  R' A (2a)  + Fy = 0:    R'C  0
0 3EI 2EI

Pa2 7Pa 2
R'A  R'C 
3EI 6EI
Pa 2 Pa 2 Pa2 ( 2Pa 2
+ Fy = 0:  V ' B  0 + MC = 0:  M 'C 
2
(a)  0
3EI EI 3EI
a) 
2Pa 2 2EI 3 Pa3
V 'B   M 'C 
3EI EI
.

Buckling
 Buckling is a sudden loss of stability that occurs to a
member subjected to a compressive load.
 The system failure is caused by infinitesimal small
deflections due to small imperfections being inherent in
each structure.
 It relates to the geometry of the system (dimensions,
boundary conditions, type of cross section) and the
material applied (elastic modulus).
 Buckling will take place in direction of the least
moment of inertia of the respective cross section.
Why buckling occurs?

What are structural members

prone to buckling? And why?

Deflection vs buckling
• Deflection :a member's
displacement due to bending
forces. Deflection in this manner is
predictable and can be calculated.
• On the other hand, the lateral deflection caused by
buckling is unstable. Once a member begins to buckle, any
further load will cause significant and unpredictable
deformations.
structural instability,

• Global buckling
• Euler buckling.

• lateral buckling

• torsional buckling

• Local buckling
Buckling failure and material failure
 The load at which buckling occurs depends on the stiffness of a
component, not upon the strength of its materials.
 Buckling refers to the loss of stability of a component and is
usually independent of material strength.

• This loss of stability usually

occurs within the elastic range
of the material.

 buckling studies are much more sensitive to the component

restraints than in a normal stress analysis
Buckling terminology
“stiffness”, “long” and “slender”

• For a material, stiffness refers to either its elastic modulus, E, or

to its shear modulus,

• axial stiffness, E A / L,

• flexural (bending) stiffness, E I / L,

• torsional stiffness, G J / L
Buckling terminology

Slender
• Slender is a geometric concept of a two-dimensional area that is
quantified by the radius of gyration.
The radius of gyration, r
• The radius of gyration, r, has the units of length and describes the
way in which the area of a cross-section is distributed around its
centroidal axis.
• If the area is concentrated far from the centroidal axis it will have a
greater value of r and a greater resistance to buckling.
Long
• Long is also a geometric concept that is quantified by the non-
dimensional “slenderness ratio” L / r, From experiments, the
slenderness ratio of 120 is generally considered as the dividing
point between long (Euler) columns (> 120) and intermediate
(empirical) columns.
Critical Buckling load
 Consider a long slender
compression member. If
an axial load P is applied
and increased slowly, it
will ultimately reach a
value Pcrthat will cause
buckling of the column. Pcr
is called the critical
buckling load of the
column.
Critical Buckling load
 The critical buckling load Pcr for
columns is theoretically given by
Equation

where, I = moment of inertia about

axis of buckling
K = effective length factor based on
end boundary conditions
L = length of the member
E = modulus of elasticity
  Denoting the cross-sectional area of the column by A and its
radius of gyration by r, we determined the critical stress scr
corresponding to the critical load Pcr:

 The quantity L/r is called the slenderness ratio

 The Euler Hyperbola provides a general solution to
determine the critical stress for any column according to
its slenderness ratio.
 How to limit buckling?

 Increase radius of gyration

 bracing and decrease
the unbraced length

 changing the material will increase the load

capacity of your column.
 Local buckling can be prevented, by controlling the width-
thickness ratio. One way of doing this is by adopting higher
thickness of the plate.
 Example 4.4

A steel pipe is to be used to support a

weight of 130 kN as shown. The pipe
has the following specifications: A =
1500mm2, and I =1.7 x106mm4. Take E
= 210 GPa and the yield stress
250MPa.Find the maximum length of
the pipe.
Solution
First, check to make sure that the pipe won’t yield under the applied
weight. The stress is

yield stress

This stress is well below the yield, so buckling will be the governing
mode of failure. This is a cantilever column, so the constant k is 2.
The critical load is

Solving for L gives

The maximum length is 2.6 m.

 Example

A pin-ended steel column consists of a hollow rectangular cross section.

At its top end the column is supported by horizontal bracings in y- and
z-directions. At a height of 6.0 m a horizontal bracing is attached in
direction of the z-axis.
Determine the critical buckling
load Pcr of the system