Engr. RYAN A.

LIMCO 197
Structural Theory I

Chapter VII

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. Double-integration method
2. Area-moment method
3. Strain-energy method (Castigliano's Theorem)
4. Conjugate-beam method
5. Method of superposition

Of these methods, the first two are the ones that are commonly used.

7.1 Double Integration Method

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

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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.

Example 7-1. Determine the maximum deflection δ in a simply supported beam of length L
carrying a concentrated load P at midspan.

Solution:
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At x = 0, y = 0, therefore, C2 = 0

At x = L, y = 0

Thus,

Maximum deflection will occur at x = ½ L (midspan)

The negative sign indicates that the deflection is below the undeformed neutral axis.

Therefore,

answer

Example 7-2. Determine the maximum deflection δ in a simply supported beam of length L
carrying a uniformly distributed load of intensity wo applied over its entire length.

Solution:

From the figure below

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At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = L, y = 0

Therefore,

Maximum deflection will occur at x = ½ L (midspan)

answer

Taking W = woL:

answer

Example 7-3. Determine the maximum value of EIy for the cantilever beam loaded as shown in
the figure. Take the origin at the wall.

Solution:
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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

Example 7-4. Find the equation of the elastic curve for the cantilever beam shown in the figure;
it carries a load that varies from zero at the wall to wo at the free end. Take the origin at the wall.

Solution:
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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

Example 7-5. As shown in the figure, a simply supported beam carries two symmetrically placed
concentrated loads. Compute the maximum deflection δ.
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Solution:

By symmetry

At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = L, y = 0

Therefore,

Maximum deflection will occur at x = ½ L (midspan)

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answer

Example 7-6. The simply supported beam shown in the figure carries a uniform load of intensity
wosymmetrically distributed over part of its length. Determine the maximum deflection δ and
check your result by letting a = 0 and comparing with the answer to Example 7-2.

Solution:

By symmetry

At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = a + b, y' = 0
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Therefore,

Maximum deflection will occur at x = a + b (midspan)

Therefore,

answer

Checking:
When a = 0, 2b = L, thus b = ½ L

(okay!)

Example 7-7. Compute the value of EI δ at midspan for the beam loaded as shown in the figure.
If E = 10 GPa, what value of I is required to limit the midspan deflection to 1/360 of the span?

Solution:
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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

Example 7-8. Compute the midspan value of EI δ for the beam loaded as shown in the figure.
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Solution:

At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = 6 m, y = 0

Therefore,

At midspan, x = 3 m

Thus,
answer

Example 7-9. 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 the figure?
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Solution:

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,
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answer

Example 7-10. For the beam loaded as shown in the figure, calculate the slope of the elastic
curve over the right support.

Solution:

At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = 8 ft, y = 0
0 = 40(83) - (25/6)(84) + (25/6)(44) + 8C1
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C1 = -560 lb·ft2

Thus,

At the right support, x = 8 ft

answer

Example 7-11. Compute the value of EI y at the right end of the overhanging beam shown in the
figure.

Solution:
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At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = 10 ft, y = 0
0 = (110/3)(103) - (500/3)(43) + 10C1
C1 = -2600 lb·ft2

Therefore,

At the right end of the beam, x = 13 ft

answer

Example 7-12. Compute the value of EI y at the right end of the overhanging beam shown in the
figure.

Solution:
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At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = 10 ft, y = 0
0 = (110/3)(103) - (500/3)(43) + 10C1
C1 = -2600 lb·ft2

Therefore,

At the right end of the beam, x = 13 ft

answer

Example 7-13. Replace the load P in Example 7-12 by a clockwise couple M applied at the right
end and determine the slope and deflection at the right end.

Solution:
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At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = a, y = 0
0 = -(M / 6a)(a3) + aC1
C1 = Ma / 6

Therefore,

Slope at x = a + b

answer

Deflection at x = a + b
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answer

Example 7-14. A simply supported beam carries a couple M applied as shown in the fgure.
Determine the equation of the elastic curve and the deflection at the point of application of the
couple.

Solution:

At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = L, y = 0
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Therefore,

answer

At x = a

answer

When a = 0 (moment load is at the left support):

answer

When a = L (moment load is at the right support):

answer
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Example 7-15. Determine the value of EIy midway between the supports for the beam loaded as
shown in the figure.

Solution:

At x = 0, y = 0, therefore C2 = 0

At x = 6 m, y = 0
0 = 50(63) - 900(42) - (25/3)(24) + 6C1
C1 = 5600/9 N·m3

Therefore,

At x = 3 m

answer
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Example 7-16. Find the midspan deflection δ for the beam shown in the figure, carrying two
triangularly distributed loads. (Hint: For convenience, select the origin of the axes at the midspan
position of the elastic curve.)

Solution:

By ratio and proportion:

By symmetry:

At x = 0, y' = 0, therefore C1 = 0

At x = ½L, y = 0
0 = (1/48)woL2 (½L)2 - (wo60L)(½L)5 + C2
0 = (1/192)wo L4 - (1/1920)wo L4 + C2
C2 = -(3/640)wo L4
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Therefore,

At x = 0 (midspan)

Thus,

answer

Example 7-17. Determine the value of EIδ midway between the supports for the beam shown
in the figure.

Solution:

By symmetry
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At x = 0, y' = 0, therefore C1 = 0

At x = ½L, y = 0

Therefore,

At x = 0 (midspan)
answer

At x = 0 when a = 0

Thus,

answer

7.2.1 Moment Diagram by Parts

The moment-area method of finding the deflection of a beam will demand the accurate
computation of the area of a moment diagram, as well as the moment of such area about any
axis. To pave its way, this section will deal on how to draw moment diagrams by parts and to
calculate the moment of such diagrams about a specified axis.

Basic Principles

1. The bending moment caused by all forces to the left or to the right of any section is equal
to the respective algebraic sum of the bending moments at that section caused by each
load acting separately.
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2. The moment of a load about a specified axis is always defined by the equation of a
spandrel

where n is the degree of power of x.

The graph of the above equation is as shown below

and the area and location of centroid are defined as follows.

Cantilever Loadings
A = area of moment diagram
Mx = moment about a section of distance x
barred x = location of centoid
Degree = degree power of the moment diagram

Couple or Moment Load

Degree: zero
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Concentrated Load

Degree: first

Uniformly Distributed Load

Degree: second

Uniformly Varying Load

Degree: third

Example 7-18. For the beam loaded as shown in the figure, compute the moment of area of the
M diagrams between the reactions about both the left and the right reaction.

Solution:
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Moment diagram by parts can be drawn in different ways; three are shown below.

Solution 1:
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Solution 2:
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Solution 3:

Example 7-19. For the beam loaded as shown in the figure, compute the moment of area of the
M diagrams between the reactions about both the left and the right reaction. (Hint: Draw the
moment diagram by parts from right to left.)
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Solution:

answer

answer
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Example 7-20. For the beam loaded as shown in figure, compute the moment of area of the M
diagrams between the reactions about both the left and the right reaction.

Solution:

By symmetry

and

answer

Thus,
answer

answer
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Thus,
answer

Example 7-21. For the beam loaded with uniformly varying load and a couple as shown in the
figure, compute the moment of area of the M diagrams between the reactions about both the left
and the right reaction.

Solution:
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answer

answer

Example 7-22. Solve Example 7-21if the sense of the couple is counterclockwise instead of
clockwise as shown in the figure.

Solution:
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answer

answer

Example 7-23. For the beam loaded as shown in the figure, compute the value of (AreaAB)
barred (X)A . From the result determine whether the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at B
slopes up or down to the right.
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Solution:

answer

The value of (AreaAB) barred(X)A is negative;

therefore point A is below the tangent through B,
thus the tangent through B slopes downward to
the right. See the approximate elastic curve shown
to the right and refer to the rules of sign for more
information.

Example 7-24. Determine the value of the couple M for the beam loaded as shown in the
figure so that the moment of area about A of the M diagram between A and B will be zero. What
is the physical significance of this result?
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Solution:

answer

The uniform load over span AB will cause segment AB to deflect downward. The moment load
equal to 400 lb·ft applied at the free end will cause the slope through B to be horizontal making
the deviation of A from the tangent through B equal to zero. The downward deflection therefore
due to uniform load will be countered by the moment load.

Example 7-25. For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-632, compute the value of (AreaAB)
barred(X)A. From this result, is the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at B directed up or down to
the right?

Solution:
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answer

The value of (AreaAB) barred(X)A is positive, therefore point A is above the tangent through B,
thus the tangent through B is upward to the right. See the approximate elastic curve shown
above and refer to the rules of sign for more information.
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7.2.2 Area – Moment Method

Another method of determining the slopes and deflections in beams is the area-moment method,
which involves the area of the moment diagram.

Theorems of Area-Moment Method

Theorem I
The change in slope between the tangents drawn to the elastic curve at any two points A and B is
equal to the product of 1/EI multiplied by the area of the moment diagram between these two
points.

Theorem II
The deviation of any point B relative to the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at any other point
A, in a direction perpendicular to the original position of the beam, is equal to the product of 1/EI
multiplied by the moment of an area about B of that part of the moment diagram between points
A and B.

and
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Rules of Sign

1. The deviation at any point is positive if the point lies above the tangent, negative if the
point is below the tangent.
2. Measured from left tangent, if θ is counterclockwise, the change of slope is positive,
negative if θ is clockwise.

7.2.2.1 Cantilever Beam

Generally, the tangential deviation t is not equal to the beam deflection. In cantilever beams,
however, the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at the wall is horizontal and coincidence
therefore with the neutral axis of the beam. The tangential deviation in this case is equal to the
deflection of the beam as shown below.

From the figure above, the deflection at B denoted as δB is equal to the deviation of B from a
tangent line through A denoted as tB/A. This is because the tangent line through A lies with the
neutral axis of the beam.

Example 7-26. The cantilever beam shown in Fig. 1 has a rectangular cross-section 50 mm wide
by h mm high. Find the height h if the maximum deflection is not to exceed 10 mm. Use E = 10
GPa.

Solution:

Figure 1
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Example 7-27. For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. 2, determine the deflection 6 ft from the
wall. Use E = 1.5 × 106 psi and I = 40 in4.

Figure 2
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Thus, δB = | tB/C | = 0.787968 in

Example 7-28. For the cantilever beam shown in Fig. 3, determine the value of EIδ at the left
end. Is this deflection upward or downward?

Figure 3
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∴ EIδ = 6.67 kN·m3 upward

Example 7-29. Compute the value of δ at the concentrated load in Fig. 4. Is the deflection
upward downward?

Figure 4
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∴ δ = 0.06912 inch downward

Example 7-30. For the cantilever beam shown in Fig. 5, what will cause zero deflection at A?

Figure 5
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7.2.2.2 Simply Supported Beam

The deflection δ at some point B of a simply supported beam can be obtained by the following
steps:

1. Compute

2. Compute

3. Solve δ by ratio and proportion (see figure above).

Example 7-31. Compute the midspan value of EIδ for the beam shown in Fig.1. (Hint: Draw the
M diagram by parts, starting from midspan toward the ends. Also take advantage of symmetry to
note that the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at midspan is horizontal.)

Figure 1
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By symmetry:

From the figure

Thus

Example 7-32. For the beam in Fig. 2, find the value of EIδ at 2 ft from R2. (Hint: Draw the
reference tangent to the elastic curve at R2.)

Figure 2
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By ratio and proportion:

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Example 7-33. Find the value of EIδ under each concentrated load of the beam shown in Fig. 3.

Figure 3
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By ratio and proportion:

Deflections:

→ answer

Example 7-34. . Find the value of EIδ at the point of application of the 200 N·m couple in Fig.
4.

Figure 4
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Example 7-35. Determine the midspan value of EIδ for the beam shown in Fig. 5.

Figure 5
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By ratio and proportion:

7.2.2.3 Midspan Deflection in Simply Supported Beams

In simply supported beams, the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at the point of
maximum deflection is horizontal and parallel to the unloaded beam. It simply means that the
deviation from unsettling supports to the horizontal tangent is equal to the maximum deflection.
If the simple beam is symmetrically loaded, the maximum deflection will occur at the midspan.

Finding the midspan deflection of a symmetrically loaded simple beam is straightforward

because its value is equal to the maximum deflection. In unsymmetrically loaded simple beam
however, the midspan deflection is not equal to the maximum deflection. To deal with
unsymmetrically loaded simple beam, we will add a symmetrically placed load for each load
actually acting on the beam, making the beam symmetrically loaded. The effect of this
transformation to symmetry will double the actual midspan deflection, making the actual
midspan deflection equal to one-half of the midspan deflection of the transformed symmetrically
loaded beam.

Example 7-36. For the beam shown in Fig. 1, show that the midspan deflection is

δ = (Pb/48EI) (3L2 - 4b2).

Figure 1
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(okay!)

Problem 7-37. Find the deflection midway between the supports for the overhanging beam
shown in 2.

Figure 2
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answer

Problem 7-38. For the overhanging beam shown in Fig. 3.

Figure 3

answer
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Problem 7-39. Determine the midspan deflection of the simply supported beam loaded by the
couple shown in Figure 4.

Figure 2

answer

Problem 7-39. Determine the midspan deflection of the beam loaded as shown in 4.

Figure 3
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answer
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(okay!)

Problem 7-40. Determine the midspan value of EIδ for the beam shown in Fig. 6.

Figure 6

answer

Problem 7-41. Determine the midspan value of EIδ for the beam shown in Fig. 6 that carries a
uniformly varying load over part of the span.

Figure 6
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answer