MACAULAY’S METHOD

1
MACAULAY’S METHOD

Introduction

 The simple integration method can only be used if and only if a single
expression for BM or applies along the complete length of the beam.

 This is rarely the case and the method has to be adapted to cover all loading
conditions

2
Introduction II
Consider a small section of a beam shown
Between A and B
F P (2.1)
a
Integrating,
(2.2)
M (2.3)
x
A B
For sections beyond B
(2.4)
(2.5)
3
Introduction III
F P Integrating again
a
(2.6)

M
x
A B

 For the slope at B (when x = a)

Hence,

4
Introduction IV
Substituting for C3 into (2.5)
F P
a

(2.7)
M
x
A B

Similarly for the same deflection at B

5
Introduction V
F
Substituting for C3 into (2.6)
a P

(2.8)
M
x
A B

From(2.4), (2.7) and (2.8), it can be seen that the general method of obtaining
slopes and deflections will still apply provided that the term P(x – a) is
integrated with respect to (x – a) and not x i.e. thus term becomes, , ……...

6
Introduction VI
Note
F P  The term, P(x – a) applies only when . It
a
should be considered only when (x – a) is
positive.
M  Such terms are conveniently put into square
x brackets and are called Macaulay terms
A B

The BM equation that applies for any section of the beam can thus be written
as;

But P[x – a] is neglected when negative

7
Illustration Example
20 kN 30 kN X

3m 3m 4m 2m
RA = 15 kN 10 kN XR
x
B
The bending moment at section, X – X

Hence,

8
Illustration Example
20 kN 30 kN X

3m 3m 4m 2m
RA = 15 kN 10 kN XR
x
B
Integrating,
and,

 When x = 0, y = 0, thus, B = 0 [… All Macaulay terms = 0]

9
Illustration Example
20 kN 30 kN X

3m 3m 4m 2m
RA = 15 kN 10 kN XR
x
B
 When, x = 12, y = 0, thus

 Hence the deflection equation is

10
Macaulay’s method for uniformly distributed (UDL) loads
Consider a beam carrying a uniformly distributed load over the complete span

P1 P2
/meter
A
B C D
𝑅𝐴 a 𝑅𝐷
b
x
The BM equation is;

 The UDL term applies across the complete span and does not require the
special treatment as a Macaulay term
11
Macaulay’s method for uniformly distributed (UDL) loads II
If the UDL starts at some point B
P1 P2
/meter
A D
𝑅𝐴 B C 𝑅𝐷
a
b
x
The UDL term is modified and written as a Macaulay term

,and;

12
UDL applied over part of the beam
P1 S
/meter X
A B
a
𝑅𝐴 x'
S 𝑅𝐵
b
x X
The BM at section S – S is,

 However this equation applies for the section only

 Macaulay’s method requires that the UDL covers the entire beam from x =
a to support B

13
UDL applied over part of the beam II
P1 /meter X
A B
B
𝑅𝐴 a 𝜔 𝑅𝐵
b
x X
Thus the correct BM equation for any section X – X is

 Integrating
and

14
General cases

More cases in the handout 15

Macaulay’s method for a couple applied at a point
R­B

M
A C
B
a
R­A L
Taking moments about each end of the beam in turn;

, upwards and,

, downwards
16
Macaulay’s method for a couple applied at a point
R­B

M
A C
B
a
R­A L

For sections between A and C,

For sections between C and B,
The additional M term for sections beyond C is treated as a Macaulay term
written as,
This is treated as any other Macaulay term
17
Macaulay’s method for a couple applied at a point
R­B

M
A C
B
a
R­A L

 The general expression for the beam is thus;

 Integrating,
and

18
The principle of superposition
It states that the resultant stress or strain in a system subjected to several
forces is the algebraic sum of their effects when applied separately

Can be used to determine the deflections of beams subjected to complicated

loadings which in reality they are merely combinations of a number of
simple systems

19
For the things we have to learn before we
can do them, we learn by doing them” –
Aristotle

20