VIRTUAL WORK METHOD

(UNIT- LOAD METHOD)

INTRODUCTION

The method of virtual work, developed by John

Bernoulli in 1717, enables the analyst to determine the
deflection of any point in a structure (beam, truss or
frame) in any direction due to all possible kinds of internal
deformations. The deformations may be caused by any
type of loading, temperature change, shrinkage, and other
distortions. The point under consideration may be loaded
or unloaded, and the deflection could be in any direction in
space.
THE EQUATION OF VIRTUAL WORK

The general equation of virtual work.

Virtual loadings

1  () =  u  dL

Real Displacements

Virtual loadings

1  () =  u  dL

Real Displacements
VIRTUAL WORK EQUATION FOR REAL BEAMS

Deflection for the Real Beam Rotation for the Real Beam
L
Mm

0 EI
dx Eq. 1

L
Mm

0 EI
dx Eq. 2

Where: M= bending moment due to the real load

m= bending moment due to unit vertical load for
deflection and unit couple for rotation
EI= flexural rigidity
Procedure for Analysis

The following step-by-step procedure can be used to

determine the slopes and deflections of beams by the virtual
work method.

1. Real Beam: Draw a diagram of the beam showing all the

real (given) loads acting on it.
2. Virtual Beam: Draw a diagram of the beam without the
real loads. If deflection is to be determined, then apply a
unit load at the point and in the direction of the desired
deflection. If the slope is to be calculated, then apply a unit
couple at the point on the beam where the slope is desired.
3. By examining the real and virtual systems and the variation
of the flexural rigidity 𝐸𝐼 specified along the length of the
beam, divide the beam into segments so that the real and
virtual loadings as well as 𝐸𝐼 are continuous in each
segment.
4. For each segment of the beam, determine an equation
expressing the variation of the bending moment due to
real loading (𝑀 ) along the length of the segment in
terms of a position coordinate 𝑥. The origin for 𝑥 may be
located anywhere on the beam and should be chosen so
that the number of terms in the equation for 𝑀 is
minimum. It is usually convenient to consider the
bending moments as positive or negative in accordance
with the beam sign convention.

Left Right
Positive Beam Sign Convention
5. For each segment of the beam, determine the equation
for the bending moment due to virtual load or couple
(𝑚) using the same 𝑥 coordinate that was used for this
segment in step 4 to establish the expression for the
real bending moment, 𝑀. The sign convention for the
virtual bending moment (𝑚) must be the same as that
adopted for the real bending moment in step 4.

6. Determine the desired deflection or slope of the beam

by applying the appropriate virtual work expression, Eq.
1 or Eq. 2. If the beam has beam divided into
segments, then the integral on the right-hand side of
Eq. 1 or Eq. 2 can be evaluated by algebraically adding
the integrals for all the segments of the beam.
Example 1.
Determine the slope and deflection at D by the Virtual Work
(Unit Load) Method. Use EI = 16 x 1012 N-mm2

a. Real Beam

D D
b. Elastic Curve

c. Unit Couple at D

d. Unit load at D

Figure 1
A. Slope at D : Place a unit couple at D, Fig. 1c, and take the
origin at D.

a. Determine the bending moment equation, M, for each

segment of the real beam. With distance 𝑥 measured
from the origin at D.

- Segment DC - Segment CB

MDC MCB
𝑥 X-2 2

𝑥
𝑀𝐷𝐶 + 4𝑥 = 0
𝑀𝐷𝐶 = −4𝑥
𝑀𝐶𝐵 + 4𝑥 + 2(𝑥 − 2) = 0
𝑀𝐶𝐵 = −4𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 2
𝑀𝐶𝐵 = 4 – 6𝑥
- Segment BA

MBA
𝑀𝐵𝐴 + 4𝑥 + 2 𝑥 − 2 + 3(𝑥 − 4) = 0
𝑀𝐵𝐴 = −4𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 2 − 3 𝑥 − 4
𝑥−4 𝑀𝐵𝐴 = 16 – 9𝑥
𝑥−2
𝑥

b. Determine the bending moment equation, 𝒎 , for each

segment of the virtual beam with a unit couple at D.
mDC mCB mBA
𝑥 𝑥
𝑥

𝑚𝐷𝐶 + 1 = 0 𝑚𝐶𝐵 + 1 = 0 𝑚𝐵𝐴 + 1 = 0

𝑚𝐷𝐶 = −1 𝑚𝐶𝐵 = −1 𝑚𝐵𝐴 = −1
c. Tabulated Results
Segment Limit M by Real Beam m by Unit Couple

DC 0  𝑥 2 −4𝑥 −1
CB 2  𝑥 4 −4𝑥 – 2(𝑥 − 2) = 4 – 6𝑥 −1
−4𝑥 – 2(𝑥 − 2) – 3(𝑥 − 4)
BA 4  𝑥 6 −1
= 16 – 9𝑥
d. Evaluate by adding the integrals of each segment.
𝐿
𝑀𝑚
𝜃𝐷 = 𝑑𝑥
0 𝐸𝐼
2 4 6
𝑀𝑚 𝑀𝑚 𝑀𝑚
𝜃𝐷 = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥
0 𝐸𝐼 2 𝐸𝐼 4 𝐸𝐼
2 4 6
1
𝜃𝐷 = −4𝑥 −1 𝑑𝑥 + 4 − 6𝑥 −1 𝑑𝑥 + (16 − 9𝑥)(−1)𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 0 2 4
9 2
1 2
94 𝑥 10 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚
𝜃𝐷 = 94 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚 = = 0.005875 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 0.337°
𝐸𝐼 16 𝑥 1012 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚2
 B. Deflection at D : Again take the origin at D and place a
unit load at D.

a. The bending moment equation, 𝑴, for the real beam

is the same as previously established.
b. Determine the bending moment equation, 𝒎, for each
segment of the virtual beam with a unit load at D.
mDC mCB mBA
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

𝑚𝐷𝐶 + 1𝑥 = 0 𝑚𝐶𝐵 + 1𝑥 = 0 𝑚𝐵𝐴 + 1𝑥 = 0

𝑚𝐷𝐶 = −𝑥 𝑚𝐶𝐵 = −𝑥 𝑚𝐵𝐴 = −𝑥
c. Tabulated Results

m by Unit
Segment Limit M by Real Beam
Load
DC 0  𝑥 2 −4𝑥 −1𝑥 = −𝑥
CB 2  𝑥 4 4 – 6𝑥 −𝑥
BA 4  𝑥 6 16 – 9𝑥 −𝑥

d. Evaluate by adding the integrals of each segment.

2 4 6
1
∆𝐷 = −4𝑥 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 4 − 6𝑥 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 16 − 9𝑥 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 0 2 4

12 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚3
1 394.67 𝑥 10
∆𝐷 = 394.67 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚3 = 12 2
= 24.67 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝐼 16 𝑥 10 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚
Example 2:
Determine the slope and deflection at C by the Virtual Work
Method. Use EI = 15 x 1011 N-mm2
A. Slope at point C. Place a unit couple at C (Fig. c)

a. Determine the bending moment equation, M, for each

segment of the real beam. With distance 𝑥 measured from
the origin as indicated.

- Segment AB with - Segment BC with

the origin at A the origin at C
MAB
MBC

𝑥
𝑥
𝑥
𝑀𝐵𝐶 + 1.5𝑥 =0
𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 2𝑥 = 0 2
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = −2𝑥 𝑀𝐵𝐶 = −0.75𝑥 2
b. Determine the bending moment equation, 𝒎 , for each
segment of the virtual beam with a unit couple at C. The
origin should be the same as that of the real beam.

- Segment AB - Segment BC
mAB mBC

𝑥 𝑥

1
𝑚𝐴𝐵 + 𝑥 = 0 𝑚𝐵𝐶 + 1 = 0
6
1 𝑚𝐵𝐶 = −1
𝑚𝐴𝐵 = − 𝑥
6
c. Tabulated Results

M by Real m by Unit
Segment Origin Limit
Beam Load

AB A 0  𝑥 6 −2𝑥 1
− 𝑥
6
BC C 0 𝑥 4 −0.75𝑥2 −1

d. Evaluate by adding the integrals of each segment.

6 4
1 1
𝜃𝐶 = −2𝑥 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + −0.75𝑥 2 −1 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 0 6 0

40 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚2 40 𝑥 109 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚2
𝜃𝐶 = = 11 2
= 0.027 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝐸𝐼 15 𝑥 10 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚
B. Deflection at C. Place a unit load at C (Fig. d).

a. The bending moment equation, 𝑴, for the real beam is

the same as previously established.
b. Determine the bending moment equation, 𝒎, for each
segment of the virtual beam with a unit load at C.
- Segment AB - Segment BC
mAB mBC

2
𝑚𝐴𝐵 + 𝑥 = 0
3 𝑚𝐵𝐶 + 1𝑥 = 0
2
𝑚𝐴𝐵 = − 𝑥 𝑚𝐵𝐶 = −𝑥
3
 c. Tabulated Results
M by Real m by Unit
Segment Origin Limit
Beam Load

AB A 0  𝑥 6 −2𝑥 2
− 𝑥
3
BC C 0 𝑥 4 −0.75𝑥2 −𝑥

d. Evaluate by adding the integrals of each segment.

6 4
1 2
∆𝐶 = −2𝑥 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + −0.75𝑥 2 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 0 3 0

6
1
∆𝐶 = 96 + 48 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚3
𝐸𝐼 0

144 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚3 144 𝑥 1012 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚3

∆𝐶 = = = 96 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝐼 15 𝑥 1011 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚2
Example 3
Find the deflection at the center of the beam. Use E=200 GPa
and I=60x106 mm4

Real Beam

5kN 5kN

Elastic Curve
C

Unit Load at C

0.5 0.5
Solution:
Determine the bending moment equation, M, for each
segment of the real beam. With distance 𝑥 measured from
the origin as indicated. Due to symmetry, we only consider
segments AB and BC.

- Segment AB with - Segment BC with

origin at A origin at B
MAB MBC

𝑥 𝑥

𝑀𝐴𝐵 − 5𝑥 = 0 𝑀𝐵𝐶 − 5(𝑥 + 2) = 0

𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 2𝑥 𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 5(𝑥 + 2)
b. Determine the bending moment equation, 𝒎 , for each
segment of the virtual beam with a unit load at C. The
origin should be the same as that of the real beam.

- Segment AB - Segment BC
mAB mBC

𝑥 𝑥

𝑚𝐴𝐵 − 0.5𝑥 = 0 𝑚𝐵𝐶 − 0.5(𝑥 + 2) = 0

𝑚𝐴𝐵 = 0.5𝑥 𝑚𝐵𝐶 = 0.5(𝑥 + 2)
c. Tabulated Results
Segment Origin Limit I M m

AB A 0  𝑥 2 𝐼 5𝑥 0.5𝑥
BC B 0  𝑥 2 1.5𝐼 5(𝑥 + 2) 0.5(𝑥 + 2)

d. Evaluate by adding the integrals of each segment. For

segments CD and DE, consider the symmetry of the beam
2 2
1 1
∆𝐶 = 2 5𝑥 0.5𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 5 𝑥 + 2 0.5)(𝑥 + 2 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 0 𝐸(1.5𝐼) 0

20 280 75.56 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚3
∆𝐶 = 2 + =
3𝐸𝐼 9𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼

75.56 𝑥 103 𝑁 − 𝑚3
∆𝐶 = = 6.296 𝑚𝑚
200𝑥 109 𝑚𝑁2 60𝑥 10−6 𝑚4
Example 3
For the beam shown, find C and B. Use EI = 3 x 1012 N-mm2.

a) Real Beam

b) Elastic Curve
A. Slope at C. Place a unit couple at C in the counter-clockwise
direction.
a. Determine the bending moment equation, M, for each
segment of the real beam. With distance 𝑥 measured from
the origin as indicated.

- Segment AB with the - Segment BC with the

origin at A origin at C
MAB MBC
𝑥 40
𝑥 16 𝑀𝐵𝐶 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥=0
𝑀𝐴𝐵 − 𝑥 = 0 𝑥 2 7
7 40
16 𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥 − 𝑥2
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥 7
7
b. Determine the bending moment equation, 𝒎 , for each
segment of the virtual beam with a unit couple at C. The
origin should be the same as that of the real beam.

- Segment AB - Segment BC
mAB mBC

𝑥 𝑥

1 1
𝑚𝐴𝐵 − 𝑥 = 0 𝑚𝐵𝐶 − 1 + 𝑥 = 0
7 7
1 1
𝑚𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥 𝑚𝐵𝐶 = 1 − 𝑥
7 7
c. Tabulated Results

Segment Origin Limit M m

16 1
AB A 0  𝑥 3 𝑥 𝑥
7 7
40 1
BC C 0  𝑥 4 𝑥 − 𝑥2 1− 𝑥
7 7

d. Evaluate by adding the integrals of each segment.

3 4
1 16 1 40 1
𝜃𝐶 = 𝑥 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 − 𝑥2 1 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 0 7 7 0 7 7

19.048 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚2 19.048 𝑥 109 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚2

𝜃𝐶 = =
𝐸𝐼 3 𝑥 1012 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚2
𝜃𝐶 = 0.00635 𝑟𝑎𝑑
B. Deflection at B. Place a unit load at B

- Segment AB - Segment BC
mAB mBC

𝑥 𝑥

4 3
𝑚𝐴𝐵 − 𝑥 = 0 𝑚𝐵𝐶 − 𝑥 = 0
7 7
4 3
𝑚𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥 𝑚𝐵𝐶 = 𝑥
7 7
c. Tabulated Results

Segment Origin Limit M m

16 4
AB A 0x3 𝑥 𝑥
7 7
40 3
BC C 0x4 𝑥 − 𝑥2 𝑥
7 7

d. Evaluate by adding the integrals of each segment.

3 4
1 16 4 40 3
∆𝐵 = 𝑥 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 − 𝑥2 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 0 7 7 0 7 7

36.571 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚3 36.571 𝑥 1012 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚3

∆𝐵 = =
𝐸𝐼 3 𝑥 1012 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚2
∆𝐵 = 12.19 𝑚𝑚
Example 4
For the beam shown, determine the support reactions by the
Virtual work method. Use EI=3x1012 N-mm2

Real Beam

Elastic Curve

RC
We must first calculate the value of the reaction at C, RC.

Determine the bending moment equation, M, for each

segment of the real beam. With distance 𝑥 measured from
the origin at C.
Segment AB Segment BC
MBC
MAB
4𝑚
𝑥 𝑥

𝑀𝐴𝐵 + 60 𝑥 − 4 − 𝑅𝐶 𝑥 = 0 𝑀𝐵𝐶 − 𝑅𝐶 𝑥 = 0
𝑀𝐴𝐵 = 𝑅𝐶 𝑥 − 60 𝑥 − 4 𝑀𝐵𝐶 = 𝑅𝐶 𝑥
Note that the deflection at C is zero (C=0). For this purpose,
apply a unit load at C.

- Segment AB - Segment BC
mAB mBC

𝑥 𝑥

𝑚𝐴𝐵 + 1𝑥 = 0 𝑚𝐵𝐶 + 1𝑥 = 0
𝑚𝐴𝐵 = −𝑥 𝑚𝐵𝐶 = −𝑥
c. Tabulated Results
Segment Origin Limit M m

AB C 4  𝑥 8 𝑅𝐶𝑥 − 60(𝑥 − 4) −𝑥
BC C 0  𝑥 4 𝑅𝐶𝑥 −1𝑥

d. Evaluate 𝑅𝐶 by adding the integrals of each segment.

8 4
1
∆𝐶 = 0 = 𝑅𝐶 𝑥 − 60 𝑥 − 4 (−𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑅𝐶 𝑥 −𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 4 0

8 4
0= −𝑅𝐶 𝑥 2 + 60 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + −𝑅𝐶 𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
4 0
Performing the integration and simplifying, we get
−170.66𝑅𝐶 + 3,200 = 0
𝑅𝐶 = 18.75 𝑘𝑁

MA

RA

RC=18.75

By the equilibrium equation

𝑅𝐴 = 41.25 𝑘𝑁
𝑀𝐴 = 90.00 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚
Review Problems:
1. Use the virtual work method to determine the slopes and
deflections at points B and C of the beam shown in Fig 1. Use E
= 29 x 103 ksi.
2. Determine the smallest moment of inertia I required for the beam
shown in Fig. 2, so that the deflection at point D does not exceed
the limit of 1/360 of the span length (i.e., D  L/360).

Fig. 1
Fig. 2