Deflection of Beams

Concepts of deflection-

Relation between Slope, Deflection and Radius of Curvature

Consider a small portion PQ of a beam, bent into an arc as shown in Fig. 19.2.
Let ds = Length of the beam PQ,
R = Radius of the arc, into which the beam has been bent,
C = Centre of the arc,
Ψ = Angle, which the tangent at P makes with x-x axis and
Ψ+ dΨ = Angle which the tangent at Q makes with x-x axis.
From the geometry of the figure, we find that
∠ PCQ = dΨ and ds = R . dΨ
𝑑𝑠 𝑑𝑥
... R= = ....... (Considering ds = dx)
𝑑Ψ 𝑑Ψ
1 dΨ
Or, = ......(i)
𝑅 𝑑𝑥
We know that if x and y be the co-ordinates of point P, then
dy
tanΨ = 𝑑𝑥
Since Ψ is a very small angle, therefore taking tanΨ = Ψ,
dΨ
= (d2y/dx2)
𝑑𝑥

 Simply Supported Beam with a Central Point Load-

Slope, i =
B
Deflection (y )
c
 Simply Supported Beam with a Uniformly Distributed Load-

Slope, i =
B

Deflection (y )
c
Problem A simply supported beam of span 3 m is subjected to a central load of 10 kN. Find the maximum
slope and deflection of the beam. Take I = 12 × 106 mm4 and E = 200 GPa.
SOLUTION Given: Span (l) = 3 m = 3 × 103 mm; Central load (W) = 10 kN = 10 × 103 N;
Moment of inertia (I) = 12 × 106 mm4 and modulus of elasticity (E) = 200 GPa = 200 × 103 N/mm2.
Maximum slope of the beam
We know that maximum slope of the beam,

Maximum deflection of the beam

We also know that maximum deflection of the beam,

Problem A wooden beam 140 mm wide and 240 mm deep has a span of 4 m. Determine the load, that can
be placed at its centre to cause the beam a deflection of 10 mm. Take E as 6 GPa.
SOLUTION Given: Width (b) = 140 mm ; Depth (d) = 240 mm ; Span (l) = 4 m = 4 × 103 mm ; Central
deflection (yC) = 10 mm and modulus of elasticity (E) = 6 GPa = 6 × 103 N/mm2.
Let W = Magnitude of the load,
We know that moment of inertia of the beam section,

and deflection of the beam at its centre (yC),

Problem A simply supported beam of span 4m is carrying a uniformly distributed load of 2kN/m over the
entire span. Find the maximum slope and deflection of the beam. Take EI for the beam as 80 × 109 N-mm2.
SOLUTION Given: Span (l) = 4m = 4 × 103mm ; Uniformly distributed load (w) = 2kN/m = 2N/mm and
flexural rigidity (E) = 80 × 109 N-mm2.
Maximum slope of the beam
We know that maximum slope of the beam,
Maximum deflection of the beam
We also know that maximum deflection of the beam,

Problem A simply supported beam of span 6m is subjected to a uniformly distributed load over the entire
span. If the deflection at the centre of the beam is not to exceed 4mm, find the value of the load. Take E =
200 GPa and I = 300 × 106 mm4.
SOLUTION. Given: Span (l) = 6 m = 6 × 103 mm ; Deflection at the centre (yC) = 4 mm ; modulus of elasticity
(E) = 200 GPa = 200 × 103 N/mm2 and moment of inertia (I) = 300 × 106 mm4.
Let w = Value of uniformly distributed load in N/mm or kN/m.
We know that deflection at the centre of the beam (yC),

 Cantilever with a Point Load at the Free End-

Slope,

Deflection

 Cantilever with a Uniformly Distributed Load-

Slope,

Deflection

Problem A cantilever beam of 2.0m span is subjected to a point load of 30kN at its free end. Find the slope
and deflection of the free end. Take EI for the beam as 8 × 1012 N-mm2.
SOLUTION Given : Span (l) = 2 m = 2 × 103 mm ; Point load (W) = 30 kN = 30 × 103 N and
flexural rigidity (EI) = 8 × 1012 N-mm2.
Slope at the free end
We know that slope of the free end,

Deflection of the free end

We also know that deflection of the free end,

Problem A cantilever beam of 160 mm width and 240 mm depth is 1.75 m long. What load can be placed at
the free end of the cantilever, if its deflection under the load is not to exceed 4.5mm? Take E for the beam
material as 180 GPa.
SOLUTION Given: Width (b) = 160 mm; Depth (d) = 240 mm; Span (l) = 1.75 m = 1.75 × 103mm ; Deflection
under the load (yB) = 4.5 mm and modulus of elasticity (E) = 180 GPa = 180 × 103N/mm2.
Let W = Load, which can be placed at the free end of the cantilever.

Problem A cantilever beam 120 mm wide and 150 mm deep carries a uniformly distributed load of 10kN/m
over its entire length of 2.4meters. Find the slope and deflection of the beam at its free end. Take E =180 GPa.
SOLUTION Given: Width (b) = 120 mm ; Depth (d) = 150 mm ;
Uniformly distributed load (w) = 10 kN/m = 10 N/mm ; Length (l) = 2.4 m = 2.4 × 103 mm and modulus of
elasticity (E) = 180 GPa = 180 × 103 N-mm2.
Slope at the free end of the beam
We know that moment of inertia of the cantilever beam section,

and slope at the free end,

Deflection at the free end of the beam

We also know that deflection at the free end,

Problem A cantilever beam 100mm wide and 180mm deep is projecting 2m from a wall. Calculate the
uniformly distributed load, which the beam should carry, if the deflection of the free end should not exceed
3.5mm. Take E as 200GPa.
SOLUTION Given: Width (b) = 100mm; Depth (d) = 180mm; Span (l) = 2m = 2 × 103 mm;
Deflection at the free end (yB) = 3.5 mm and modulus of elasticity (E) = 200 GPa = 200 × 103 N/mm2.
Let w = Uniformly distributed load, which the beam should carry.
We know that moment of inertia of the beam reaction,

and deflection of the free end of the beam (yB),

Problem A cantilever beam of length 3m is carrying a uniformly distributed load of ‘w’ kN/m. Assuming
rectangular cross-section with depth (d) equal to twice the width (b), determine the dimensions of the beam,
so that vertical deflection at the free end does not exceed 8mm. Take maximum bending stress = 100MPa
and E = 200GPa.
SOLUTION Given: Span (l) = 3m = 3 × 103 mm; Uniformly distributed load = w kN/m = w N/mm;
Depth (d) = 2b; Deflection at the free end (yB) = 8 mm;
Maximum bending stress (σmax) =100 MPa =100 N/mm2 and
Modulus of elasticity (E) = 200 GPa = 200 × 103 N/mm2.

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