Mr. Kimarai J.

[email protected]
ECE 3104
Theory of Structures (TOS) III
LESSON 3
Procedure/Approach:
Determination of Deflection & Slopes in Beams and Frames by the Virtual
Work Method
 Determine the support reactions in the real system using the equations of
static equilibrium.
 Write an expression for the moment in the real structure as a function of
the horizontal distance x. The number of the equations will depend on the
number of regions of the beam due to discontinuous loading (Using
Method of Sections)
 Create a virtual system by removing all the loads acting on the beam and
applying a unit load or a unit moment at the point where the deflection or
slope is desired; determine for the unknowns at supports (Reaction for
deflection, and Moments for slopes)
 Write the moment expression for the virtual system in terms of the
distance x; Using method of sections as in note #2.
 Substitute the moment expressions into equation on internal work done
and integrate to obtain the value of deflection or slope at the point
considered.
 Mr. Kimarai J

Example 1.
Using the virtual work method, determine the deflection at point B and the slope
at a point C of the simply-supported beam shown below: EI= constant. E = 29 ×
103 ksi. I = 24 in4.

i. Determining the reactions at the support and representing in a free

body diagram {Use Equations of Equilibrium}

FBD 1: Real Loading

 Mr. Kimarai J

ii. For Deflection at B; apply a unit load and determine the resultant
reactions at support. FBD 2: Virtual Unit Loading (Pv)

iii. For slope at C; apply a unit moment and determine the resultant
reactions at support. FBD 3: Virtual Unit Loading (Mv)

iv.
 Mr. Kimarai J

1. For deflection B, determine the expression for M (from the Real

Structure) and m (from the virtual structure) and combine to calculate the
total deflection, each section considered.

2. For slope C, determine the expression for M (from the Real Structure)
and m𝜭 (from the virtual structure) and combine to calculate the total
deflection, each section considered.
Mr. Kimarai J
Mr. Kimarai J
 Mr. Kimarai J

The table of the Bending Moment expression for each portion of the beam will
be as below:

Deflection at B; ΔB

Slope 𝜭c will be given as follows:

 Mr. Kimarai J

Example 2:
Using the virtual work method, determine the deflection at B and the slope at D
for the compound beam shown below. Take E = 200 GPa and I = 250 × 106
mm4.

Solution:
i. Reactions at Supports for the real system (above)
ii. Introduction of a virtual unit load at B for deflection; and solution for
the reactions at support due to the Virtual unit load.
iii. Introduction of a virtual Unit moment at D for slope determination;
and solution for the reactions at support due to that virtual unit
moment.

NB: Each step follows the formulation of expressions for the Moments using
method of sections.
 Mr. Kimarai J

Tabulation of Expressions for Moments from Real Structure to the Virtual

Structures (ii & iii).

Combination of Expressions for Calculations of Deflections and Slopes:

Deflection ΔB:
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Slope 𝜭D:
 Mr. Kimarai J

Virtual Work Method on Trusses

We can use the method of virtual work to determine the displacement of a truss
joint when the truss is subjected to an external loading, temperature changes, or
fabrication errors. The displacements would be with reference to the direction of
the application of the factor trying to affect the static equilibrium of the truss
(vertical or horizontal displacements). However, a significant consideration on
the external loading changes has been given a big focus due to magnitude,
direction, and nature of loadings on different trusses.
External Loading on Trusses and Virtual Work Method
Consider the vertical displacement Δ of joint B on this truss.

Here, a typical element of the truss would be one of its members having a length
L, shown on the truss above. If we applied loadings and cause a linear elastic
material response, then this element deforms an amount ΔL = NL/AE; where N
is the Normal or Axial force in the member caused by the external loads.
Par explanation, point B will be displaced an amount causing the element to
deform an amount dL. As a result, the external virtual force and internal virtual
load u “ride along” by Δ and dL, respectively, and therefore perform external
virtual work of (1. Δ) on the body and internal virtual work of (u. dL) on the
element. Realizing that the external virtual work is equal to the internal virtual
work done on all the elements of the body, we can write the virtual-work
equation as follows:
 Mr. Kimarai J

Where;

As a result, taking P = 1, calculating Δ will follow this direction:

In a similar manner, if the rotational displacement or slope of the tangent at a

point on a structure is to be determined, a virtual couple moment “M” having a
“unit” magnitude is applied at the point. As a consequence, this couple moment
causes a virtual load “U𝜭 ” in one of the elements of the body. Assuming that
the real loads deform the element an amount dL, the rotation 𝜭 can be found
from the virtual-work equation below:

Where;

Taking u and u𝜭, the unit virtual load and moments respectively, as taking a
similar direction in causing displacements as the normal/real loads on the
structure with only their magnitudes differing, then they would take the lower
cases of the respective real loading as in Beams & frames.
u= n and u𝜭 = m
 Mr. Kimarai J

Thus, combining the equations on real loading and Virtual load application:

With;

Here the external virtual unit load creates internal virtual forces n in each of the
truss members. The real loads, then cause the truss joint to be displaced Δ in the
same direction as the virtual unit load, and each member is displaced NL/AE in
the same direction as its respective n force. Consequently, the external virtual
work 1.Δ equals the internal virtual work or the internal (virtual) strain energy
stored in all the truss members, that is, [nNL/AE]. A similar situation will
occur with the rotational or slope displacement when virtual moment affect the
members of the truss.
𝐿
𝛳 = ∑ 𝑚. 𝑀.
𝐴𝐸
 Mr. Kimarai J

Procedure for Analysis

An analysis of real loads is followed by placing virtual loads on the members of
the truss affected by through direction al displacement.
Real Loads N
 Use the method of sections or the method of joints to determine the N
force in each member. These forces are caused only by the real loads
acting on the truss. Again, assume tensile forces are positive and
compressive forces are negative.
Virtual Forces n
 Use the method of sections or the method of joints to determine the N
force in each member. These forces are caused only by the real loads
acting on the truss. Again, assume tensile forces are positive and
compressive forces are negative.
 With the unit load Pv or Mv so placed, and all the real loads removed
from the truss, use the method of joints or the method of sections and
calculate the internal n force or m moment respectively in each truss
member. Assume that tensile forces are positive and compressive forces
are negative.
Virtual Work Method Equation
 Apply the equation of virtual work, to determine the desired
displacement. It is important to retain the algebraic sign for each of the
corresponding n and N forces when substituting these terms into the
equation.
 If the resultant sum nNL/AE is positive, the displacement Δ is in the
same direction as the unit load. If a negative value results, Δ is opposite
to the unit load.

NB: When applying Virtual Work Method formula, attention should be paid to
the units of each numerical quantity. In particular, the virtual unit load can be
assigned any arbitrary unit (lb, kip, N, etc.), since the n forces will have these
same units, and as a result the units for both the virtual unit load and the n
forces will cancel from both sides of the equation.
 Mr. Kimarai J

Examples
Determine the vertical displacement of joint C of the steel truss shown below.
The cross-sectional area of each member is A=0.5 in2 and E=29 (103) ksi.

i. Determine the N on each element from the real loads applied in the
truss above using the method of joints

ii. Apply a Virtual unit load (1-k unit) at the point of determining the
displacement (C) and determine again the n on each element’ similarly
using the method of joints.
 Mr. Kimarai J

iii. Calculate and identify the lengths of each member of the truss that
might not be shown.
iv. Tabulate the resultant values for each member for easy identification.

To calculate the displacement, the Totality of nNL for the whole truss members.

Converting the units of member length to inches and substituting the numerical
values for A and E, we have;
 Mr. Kimarai J

Example 2.
The cross-sectional area of each member of the truss shown in the truss below is
A=400mm2 and E=200GPa: (a) Determine the vertical displacement of joint C
if a 4-kN force is applied to the truss at C. (b) If no loads act on the truss, what
would be the vertical displacement of joint C if member AB were 5 mm too
short?

Application
Determining displacements and rotations in both frames, Beams, and trusses
create the first level of knowledge of describing the use and application of
indeterminate structures. While each aspect in indeterminate structures
contributes to both advantages and disadvantages, they are subject of
determination in determinate structures as they inhibit their overall
performances.
 Mr. Kimarai J

Chapter 2: ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY INDETERMINATE

STRUCTURES
Introduction
Indeterminate structures exhibit more unknowns; but the occurrence of
settlements and displacement of supports have created a significant concern to
structural uses. While determining these displacements has been of great subject
in determinate structures, indeterminate structures have exhibited:
• Response to Settlement of Support under external load influence,
• Response to changes in Temperature; for indeterminate trusses,
• Response to tolerance problems during construction like fabrication
errors,
• Construction aspects; like the difference in lateral measurements; and
• Behavior aspects.