Module 1 - Double Integration Method
Module 1 - Double Integration Method
DEFLECTION OF STATICALLY
DETERMINATE BEAMS :
DOUBLE- INTEGRATION METHOD
COURSE MATERIALS
The above figure shown is the edge view of the neutral surface of a deflected beam
which is called the “elastic curve”. From this we are going to determine the equation of
the curve, that is how to determine the vertical displacement “y” of any point in terms of
its coordinate.
The deflections are assumed to be so small that there is no appreciable
difference between the original length of the beam and the projection of its deflected
length. Consequently the elastic curve is very flat and its slope at any point is very
small. The value of the slope, tan θ = dy/dx, may therefore with only small error be set
equal to θ, hence
𝑑𝑦
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = ------------------------------------- (a)
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝜃 𝑑2 𝑦
and = 𝑑𝑥 2 ------------------------------------- (b)
𝑑𝑥
1 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜃
= ≈ 𝑑𝑥
𝜌 𝑑𝑠
1 𝑑2 𝑦
= 𝑑𝑥 2 ------------------------------------- (d)
𝜌
1 𝑀
= 𝐸𝐼 ------------------------------------- (e)
𝜌
𝑑2𝑦 𝑀
=
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑑2 𝑦
or 𝐸𝐼 =𝑀 ------------------------------------ (f)
𝑑𝑥 2
The above equation is known as the differential equation of the elastic curve of a beam.
The product EI is called the “flexural rigidity” which is usually constant.
𝑑2 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = ∫ 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝐶1 -------------------------- (g)
𝑑𝑥 2
This is the slope of equation specifying the slope of the value of dy/dx at any point.
Note: M is the moment equation in terms of x, and given conditions of the loading.
Integrating further equation (g),
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = ∫ ∫ 𝑀𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2
This is the equivalent deflection equation of the elastic curve specifying the “y” value for
any value of x; C2 is another constant which must be evaluated from the given
conditions of the beam and its loadings.