Deflection of Beams
The deformation of a beam is usually expressed in terms of its deflection from its original
unloaded position. 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.
Methods of Determining Beam Deflections
Numerous methods are available for the determination of beam deflections. These methods
include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Double-integration method
Area-moment method
Strain-energy method (Castigliano's Theorem)
Conjugate-beam method
Method of superposition
Of these methods, the first two are the ones that are commonly used.
The double integration method is a powerful tool in solving deflection and slope of a beam at
any point because we will be able to get the equation of the elastic curve.
In calculus, the radius of curvature of a curve y = f(x) is given by
In the derivation of flexure formula, the radius of curvature of a beam is given as
Deflection of beams is so small, such that the slope of the elastic curve dy/dx is very small, and
squaring this expression the value becomes practically negligible, hence
Thus, EI / M = 1 / y''
If EI is constant, the equation may be written as:
where x and y are the coordinates shown in the figure of the elastic curve of the beam under load,
y is the deflection of the beam at any distance x. E is the modulus of elasticity of the beam, I
represent the moment of inertia about the neutral axis, and M represents the bending moment at a
distance x from the end of the beam. The product EI is called the flexural rigidity of the beam.
The first integration y' yields the slope of the elastic curve and the second integration y gives the
deflection of the beam at any distance x. The resulting solution must contain two constants of
integration since EI y" = M is of second order. These two constants must be evaluated from
known conditions concerning the slope deflection at certain points of the beam. For instance, in
the case of a simply supported beam with rigid supports, at x = 0 and x = L, the deflection y = 0,
and in locating the point of maximum deflection, we simply set the slope of the elastic curve y' to
zero.
Problem 605
Determine the maximum deflection in a simply supported beam of length L carrying a
concentrated load P at midspan.
Solution 605
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore, C2 = 0
At x = L, y = 0
Thus,
Maximum deflection will occur at x = L (midspan)
The negative sign indicates that the deflection is below the undeformed neutral axis.
Therefore,
answer
Problem 606
Determine the maximum deflection in a simply supported beam of length L carrying a
uniformly distributed load of intensity wo applied over its entire length.
Solution 606
From the figure below
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
At x = L, y = 0
Therefore,
Maximum deflection will occur at x = L (midspan)
answer
Taking W = woL:
answer
Problem 607
Determine the maximum value of EIy for the cantilever beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-607.
Take the origin at the wall.
Solution 607
At x = 0, y' = 0, therefore C1 = 0
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
Therefore,
The maximum value of EI y is at x = L (free end)
answer
Problem 608
Find the equation of the elastic curve for the cantilever beam shown in Fig. P-608; it carries a
load that varies from zero at the wall to wo at the free end. Take the origin at the wall.
Solution 608
By ratio and proportion
At x = 0, y' = 0, therefore C1 = 0
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
Therefore, the equation of the elastic curve is
answer
Problem 609
As shown in Fig. P-609, a simply supported beam carries two symmetrically placed concentrated
loads. Compute the maximum deflection .
Solution 609
By symmetry
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
At x = L, y = 0
Therefore,
Maximum deflection will occur at x = L (midspan)
answer
Problem 610
The simply supported beam shown in Fig. P-610 carries a uniform load of intensity wo
symmetrically distributed over part of its length. Determine the maximum deflection and check
your result by letting a = 0 and comparing with the answer to Problem 606.
Solution 610
By symmetry
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
At x = a + b, y' = 0
Therefore,
Maximum deflection will occur at x = a + b (midspan)
Therefore,
answer
Checking:
When a = 0, 2b = L, thus b = L
(ok!)
Problem 611
Compute the value of EI at midspan for the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-611. If E = 10
GPa, what value of I is required to limit the midspan deflection to 1/360 of the span?
Solution 611
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
At x = 4 m, y = 0
Therefore,
At x = 2 m (midspan)
Maximum midspan deflection
Thus,
answer
Problem 612
Compute the midspan value of EI for the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-612.
Solution 612
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
At x = 6 m, y = 0
Therefore,
At midspan, x = 3 m
Thus,
answer
Problem 613
If E = 29 106 psi, what value of I is required to limit the midspan deflection to 1/360 of the
span for the beam in Fig. P-613?
Solution 613
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
At x = 12 ft, y = 0
Therefore
E = 29 106 psi
L = 12 ft
At midspan, x = 6 ft
y = -1/360 (12) = -1/30 ft = -2/5 in
Thus,
answer
Problem 614
For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-614, calculate the slope of the elastic curve over the right
support.
Solution 614
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
At x = 8 ft, y = 0
0 = 40(83) - (25/6)(84) + (25/6)(44) + 8C1
C1 = -560 lbft2
Thus,
At the right support, x = 8 ft
answer
Problem 615
Compute the value of EI y at the right end of the overhanging beam shown in Fig. P-615.
Solution 615
At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0
At x = 10 ft, y = 0
0 = (110/3)(103) - (500/3)(43) + 10C1
C1 = -2600 lbft2
Therefore,
At the right end of the beam, x = 13 ft
answer
