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3.3. MACAULAY’S METHOD

The procedure of finding slope and deflection for a simply supported beam with
an eccentric point load is a very laborious. There is a convenient method for determining
the deflection of the beam subjected to point loads.
This method was devised by Mr. M.H. Macaulay and is known as Macaulay’s method.
This method mainly consists in a special manner in which the bending moment at any
section is expressed and in the manner in which the integrations are carried out.

3.3.1.DEFLECTION OF A SIMPLY SUPPORTED LOAD WITH AN

ECCENTRIC POINT LOAD

A simply supported beam AB of length L and carrying a point load W at a distance

‘a’ from left support and at a distance ‘b’ from right support is shown in Fig. The reaction
at A and B are given by,

RA and RB
The bending moment at any section between A and C at a distance x from A is given

by,Mx= RA X x = Xx

The above equation of B.M. holds good for the values of x between 0 and ‘a’. The
bending moment at any section between C and B at a distance x from A is given by,

Mx= RA X x – W x (x- X x – W (x-a)

The above equation of B.M holds good for all values of x between x = a and x = b.

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The B.M for all sections of the beam can be expressed in a single equation written as

Mx X x ⋮ – W (x-a) … (i)
Stop at the dotted line for any point in section AC. But for any point in section CB, add
the expression beyond the dotted line also. The B.M. at any section is also given by

M = EI …(ii)
Hence equating (i) and (ii), we get

EI X x ⋮ – W (x-a) …(iii) Integrating the above equation, we get

EI …(iv)
Where C1 is a constant of integration. This constant of integration should be written after
the first term. Also the brackets are to be integrated as a whole. Hence the integration

of (x-a) will be and not - ax.

Integrating equation (iv) once again, we get

EIy = …(v)
Where C2 is another constant of integration. This constant is written after C 1x. The

integration of (x − a)2 will be . This type of integration is justified as the constants

of integrations C1 and C2 are valid for all values of x.
The values of C1 and C2 are obtained from boundary conditions. The two boundary
conditions are :
(i).At x = 0, y = 0 and (ii) At x = L, y = 0.since deflection is 0 at A and
B)
(i) At A, x =0 and y = 0. Substituting these values in equation (v) upto dotted line only
as the point A lies in AC (i.e. at first portion), we get
0 = 0+0+C2
∴ C2 = 0
(ii).At B, x = L and y = 0. Substituting these values in equation (v), we get

(since L-a = b)

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…(vi)
Substituting the value of C1 in equation (iv), we get

EI …(vii)
Equation (vii) gives the slope at any point in the beam. Slope is maximum at A or B.
To find the slope at A, substitute x = 0 in the above equation upto dotted line as point A
lies in AC.

EIθA

Substituting the values of C1 and C2 in equation (v), we get

3
EIy = …(Viii)
Equation (viii) gives the deflection at any point in the beam. To find the deflection y c
under the load, substitute x = a in equation (viii) and consider the equation upto dotted
line (as point C lies in AC). Hence, we get

EIyc

– L2 + b2)

(since L = a+b)

∴ yc

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Example.3.3.1. A horizontal beam of uniform section and 6 meters long is simply

supported at its ends. Two vertical concentrated loads of 48 kN and 40 kN act at 1m and
3m respectively from the left hand support. Determine the magnitude of the deflection
under the loads and maximum deflection using Macaulay’s method. If E = 200GN/m 2
and I = 85 X 10-6 m4
Given Data
WC = 48 kN
WD = 40 kN
E = 200GN/m2 = 200 X 106kN/m2
I = 85 X 10-6 m4
To Find:
The deflection under the loads and the maximum deflection Solution:

Taking moment about A,

RB X 6 – (40 X 3) –(48 X 1) = 0
6RB – 120 -48 = 0
6RB = 168

RB = 28 KN
RA +RB =48+ 40
RA + 28 = 88
RA = 88-28 =60 kN
BM for the section X-X
Mx = RA X x⋮ - 48(x-1) ⋮ -40(x-3)
= 60X x⋮ - 48(x-1) ⋮ -40(x-3) … (i)
The B.M. at any section is also given by

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M = EI …(ii)
Hence equating (i) and (ii), we get

EI = 60X x⋮ - 48(x-1) ⋮ -40(x-3) …(iii) Integrating the above equation, we

get
2
EI…(iv)
Where C1 is a constant of integration. This constant of integration should be written after
the first term. Also the brackets are to be integrated as a whole. Integrating equation
(iv) once again, we get
3 3
EIy= 60…(v)
Where C2 is another constant of integration. This constant is written after C1x. The
values of C1 and C2 are obtained from boundary conditions. The two boundary conditions
are :
(i).At x = 0, y = 0 and (ii) At x = 6m, y = 0. (since deflection is 0 at A and B) (ii)
At A, x =0 and y = 0. Substituting these values in equation (v) uptothe first dotted line
only as the point A lies in AC (i.e. at first portion), we get
0 = 0+0+C2
∴C2 = 0
(ii).At B, x = 6m and y = 0. Substituting these values in equation (v), we get
3 3
0 = 60 X

Substituting the value of C1 in equation (iv), we get

2 2 2
EI…(vii)
Equation (vii) gives the slope at any point in the beam.
Substituting the values of C1 and C2 in equation (v), we get

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EIy= 60 …(viii)
Deflection at the point C.
This is obtained by substituting x =1 in equation (viii) up to the first dotted line we get,
EIyc = 10 X 13 -163.33 X 1
= -153.33 kNm3

= −0.00902𝑚
= -9.02mm
Deflection at the point D.
This is obtained by substituting x =3 in equation (viii) up to the Second dotted line we
get,
EIyD = 10 X 33 -163.33 X 3 – 8(3-1)3
= -283.99 kNm3

∴yc =
= - 16.7 mm
Maximum Deflection

The maximum deflection should be between C and D Where

∴ Put = 0. In equation (vii) up to second dotted line only

Or 30x2 – 163.33 – 24(x2 – 2x +1) = 0

Or 30x2 – 163.33 – 24x2 +48x -24 = 0
By solving We get,
X = 2.87m or x = -10.87m
X = -10.87m is not possible , so we take
X = 2.87mWhen x = 2.87m, y = ymax
Substituting the above condition in equation viii up to the second dotted line we get,

EIy
EIymax= 236.399 – 468.757 – 52.31 = -284.668

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.01674m
∴ymax = -16.74 mm

Example.3.3.2. A beam of length 8m is simply supported at its ends. It carries a

uniformly distributed load of 40 kN/m as shown in Fig. Determine the deflection of the
beam at its mid point and also the position of maximum deflection and maximum
deflection. Take E = 2 X 105N/mm2 and I = 4.3 X 108mm

Given Data:
Length, L = 8m
u.d.l, w = 40KN/m
E = 2 X 105N/mm2
I = 4.3 X 108mm4
To find
(i) The central deflection
(ii) The position and magnitude of maximum deflection. Solution
Taking moment about A,

RB X 8 – 40 X 4 X
8RB – 480 = 0
8RB = 480

∴ RB = 60 KN
RA +RB = (40 x 4)
∴ RA + 60 = 160
∴RA = 160 - 60 =100 kN

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In ordet to obtain the general expression for the bending moment at a distance x from
the left end A, which will apply for all values of x, it is necessary to extend the udlupto
the support B, compensating with an equal upward load of 40kN/m over the span DB as
shown in Fig.
Now Macaulay’s method can be applied.

BM for the section X-X is given by,

Mx = RA X x + 40 (x-5) X
= 100X x⋮- 20(x-1)2⋮+ 20(x-5)2
The B.M. at any section is also given by

M = EI
Equating the both values of B.M we get,

EI = 100X x⋮ - 20(x-1)2⋮ + 20(x-5)2 Integrating the above equation, we get

3
EI …(i)
Where C1 is a constant of integration. This constant of integration should be written after
the first term. Also the brackets are to be integrated as a whole. Integrating the above
equation once again, we get,

EIy = 50

… (ii)
Where C2 is another constant of integration. This constant is written after C1x.
The values of C1 and C2 are obtained from boundary conditions. The two boundary
conditions are :

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(i).At x = 0, y = 0 and (ii) At x = 8m, y = 0. (since deflection is 0 at A and B) (i) At A,

x =0 and y = 0. Substituting these values in equation (ii) uptothe first dotted line only as
the point A lies in AC (i.e. at first portion), we get
0 = 0+0+C2
∴C2 = 0
(ii).At B, x = 8m and y = 0. Substituting these values in equation (ii), we get

Substituting the value of C1 in equation (ii), we get

EIy= 50 …(iii)
Deflection at the Centre.
This is obtained by substituting x =4 in equation (iii) up to the second dotted line we get,

EIy
= - 1401.66 kNm3
= - 1401.66 X 1012 Nmm3

∴y =
= -16.3mm
(i) Maximum Deflection

The maximum deflection should be between C and D Where

∴ Put = 0. In equation (i) up to second dotted line only

0 = 50x2– 583.33 – 6.667(x-1)3 …(iv)

The above equation is solved by trial and error method.
Let x=1, then R.H.S of equation (iv)
= 50-583.33-6.667 X 0 = -533.33

Let x=2, then R.H.S = 50 X 4 – 583.33 -6.667 X 1 = -390

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Let x=3, then R.H.S = 50 X 9 – 583.33 -6.667 X 8 = -136.69

Let x=4, then R.H.S = 50 X 16 – 583.33 -6.667 X 27 = +36.58
In equation (iv), when x = 3 then R.H.S is negative but when x =4 then R.H.S is positive.
Hence exact value of x lies between 3 and 4
Let x=3.82, then R.H.S= 50 X 3.82 – 583.33 – 6.667(3.82-1)3= -3.22
Let x=3.83, then R.H.S= 50 X 3.83 – 583.33 – 6.667(3.83-1)3 = -0.99
The R.H.S is approximately zero
∴ x = 3.83m.
Hence maximum deflection will be at a distance of 3.83m from support A.
When x = 3.83m, y = ymax
Substituting the above condition in equation viii up to the second dotted line we get,

EIy

EIymax= -1404.69 kNm3 = - 1404.69 X 1012Nmm3

∴ymax = -16.33 mm

Example.3.3.3. An overhanging beam ABC is loaded as shown in Fig. Find the slopes
over each support and at the right end. Find also the maximum upward deflection
between supports and the deflection at the right end.
Take E = 2 X 105N/mm2 and I = 5 X 108mm4.

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Sol.Given:
Point load, W = 10 KN E = 2 X 105N/mm2.
I = 5 X 108mm4
Taking moments about A, we get RB X 6 = 10 X 9

= 15 kN
∴RA = Total load - RB = 10-15 = -5 kN
Hence the reactions RA will be in the downward direction. Hence above Fig. will be
modified as shown in following fig. Now write down an expression for the B.M in the
last section of the beam.

BM for the section X-X is given by,

EI = RA X x⋮ + RB (x-6)
= -5x ⋮ + 15 (x-6)
Integrating the above equation, we get

EI …(i)
Where C1 is a constant of integration. This constant of integration should be written after
the first term. Also the brackets are to be integrated as a whole. Integrating the above
equation once again, we get,

EIy = -

… (ii)
Where C2 is another constant of integration. This constant is written after C1x. The
values of C1 and C2 are obtained from boundary conditions. The two boundary conditions
are :

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(i).At x = 0, y = 0 and (ii) At x = 6m, y = 0. (since deflection is 0 at A and B) (ii)

At A, x =0 and y = 0. Substituting these values in equation (ii) uptothe dotted line only
as the point A lies in AB (i.e. at first portion), we get
0 = 0+0+C2
∴C2 = 0
(ii).At B, x = 6m and y = 0. Substituting these values in equation (ii), we get

6𝐶1 = 5 X 36

Substituting the value of C1 and C2 in equation (i) & (ii), we get,

EI …(iii)

AndEIy …(vi)
slope over the support A
By substituting x= 0 in equation (iii) upto dotted line, we get the slope at Support A
( the point x = 0 lies in the first part AB of the beam)

∴EIθA = 30kNm2 = 30 X 109 Nmm2

= 0.0003 radians.
Slope at the support B
By substituting x= 6 m in equation (iii) upto dotted line, we get the slope at Support
B ( the point x = 6 lies in the first part AB of the beam)

∴EIθB 60kNm2 = - 60 X 109 Nmm2

= - 0.0006 radians.
Slope at the right end i.e., at C
By substituting x= 9 m in equation (ii), we get the slope at C. In this case, complete
equation is to be taken as the point x = 9 m lies in the last part of the beam)

∴EIθC 105 kNm2

= - 105 X 109 Nmm2

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= - 0.00105 radians.

Maximum upward deflection between the supports

For the maximum deflection between the supports, should be zero. Hence equating the
slope given by equation (iii) to be zero upto dotted line, we get

or5𝑥2 = 60 or x = = 3.464 m
Now substituting x = 3.464 m in equation (iv) upto dotted line, we get maximum
deflection as

EIy
= 69.282 kNm3
= 69.282 × 1000 ×109 Nmm3 = 69.282 × 1012 mm3

y
= 0.6928 mm(upward)
Deflection at the right end i.e., at point C
By substituting x= 9 m in equation (iv), we get the deflection at point C. Here complete
equation is to be taken as the point x = 9 m lies in the last part of the beam.

EIyc
= 270 kNm3 = - 270 × 1012Nmm3

yc
= - 2.7mm(downward)

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