Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

CE 9 (Structural Theory)

ENGR. APRILLE ELLEN E. QUEBADA

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UNIT 3: DEFLECTION OF BEAMS: GEOMETRIC METHODS

1.0. Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this chapter, you shall be able to:

1. Determine the deflections of a given determinate structure using the geometric

method of analysis.

1.1. Introduction

The deflections to be considered throughout this chapter apply only to structures

having linear elastic material response. Under this condition, a structure subjected to a load
will return to its original undeformed position after the load is removed.

Before the slope or displacement of a point on a beam or frame is determined, it is often

helpful to sketch the deflected shape of the structure when it is loaded in order to partially
check the results. This deflection diagram represents the elastic curve or locus of points which
defines the displaced position of the centroid of the cross section along the members.

If the elastic curve seems difficult to establish, it is suggested that the moment diagram
for the beam or frame be drawn first. By our sign convention for moments, a positive moment
tends to bend a beam or horizontal member concave upward, Fig. 8–1. Likewise, a negative
moment tends to bend the beam or member concave downward, Fig. 8–2. Therefore, if the
shape of the moment diagram is known, it will be easy to construct the elastic curve and vice
versa.

1.2. Double Integration Methods

Radius of Curvature
𝐸𝐼
From strength of materials; 𝜌 =
𝑀
2
(1+𝑦 ′ )3/2
From calculus; 𝜌 = 𝑦"
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The deflection of beams is so small such that the slope of the elastic (y’) curve dy/dx is
very small and squaring the expression the value becomes negligible.

1
𝜌 = 𝑦"

𝐸𝐼 1
Thus, = 𝑦"
𝑀

𝑀 1
𝑦 " = 𝐸𝐼 = 𝐸𝐼 𝑀

If EI is constant, the equation maybe written as:

𝑬𝑰𝒚" = 𝑴

E- Elastic Modulus
I- Moment of Inertia
M-Bending Moment @ a dist. x from the end beam.
EI- Flexural Rigidity
y”-Deflection of the beam @ any distance x
y’-slope of elastic curve
y- deflection of elastic curve

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1:

1. A simply supported beam 10m long carries a uniform load of 24 kN/m. Using
E=200GPa and I=240x106 mm4. Determine the rotation (in degrees) and deflection
of the beam at a point 4m from the left support.

A B
x=4

𝐸𝐼𝑦” = 𝑀 = 120𝑥 − 24𝑥(𝑥/2)

𝐸𝐼𝑦 ′ = ∫ 120𝑥 − ∫ 12𝑥 2

120 2 12 3
=∫ 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 𝐶1
2 3
𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1:

𝐸𝐼𝑦 ′ = 60𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 3 + 𝐶1

𝐸𝐼𝑦 = ∫ 60𝑥 2 − ∫ 4𝑥 3 + ∫ 𝐶1

𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2:
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2 60 4
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 4 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2
3 4
When x=0 & y=0

In Equation 2:

0 = 20(10)3 − 104 + 𝐶1 (10)

𝐶1 = −1000

The rotation (𝑦’ = 𝜃) @ x=4

From Equation 1:

𝐸𝐼𝑦 ′ = 60(4)4 − 4(4)3 − 1000

296𝑥103
𝜃 = 𝑦′ =
200,000(240𝑥106 )

𝑦 ′ = 0.006167 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 0.353°

The Deflection @ x=4

By using Equation 2:

𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 20(4)3 − 44 − 1000(4) = −2976 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚3

2976𝑥104
y= = 62 𝑚𝑚
200,000(240𝑥106 )

1.3. Area-Moment Method

Theory I:
The change in slope between the tangents drawn to the elastic curve at any points A
&B is equal to the product of 1/EI multiplied by the area of the moment diagram
between these two points.
1
𝜃𝐴𝐵 = (𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝐵)
𝐸𝐼
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Theory II:
The deviation of any point B relative to the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at nay
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 pts. A &B.
1
𝑡𝐵/𝐴 = (𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝐵)𝑥𝐵
𝐸𝐼
1
𝑡𝐴/𝐵 = (𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴𝐵)𝑥𝐴
𝐸𝐼

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.

Deflection of Simply Supported Beams

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

1
1. Compute 𝑡𝐶/𝐴 = 𝐸𝐼 (𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎𝐴𝐶 )𝑋¯𝐶
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2. Compute 2
1
𝑡 = (𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 )𝑋¯
𝐵/𝐴 𝐴𝐵 𝐵
𝐸𝐼

3. Solve δ by ratio and proportion.

𝜹 + 𝒕𝑩/𝑨 𝒕𝑪/𝑨
=
𝒙 𝑳

Deflection of Cantilever Beams

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.

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
diagram 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.

𝑀 = (∑ 𝑀)𝐿 = (∑ 𝑀)𝑅

2. The moment of a load about a specified axis is always defined by the equation of a
spandrel

𝑦 = 𝑘𝑥𝑛
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where2
n is the degree of power of x.

𝟏
𝑨= 𝒃𝒉
𝒏+𝟏
𝟏
𝑿𝑮 = 𝒃
𝒏+𝟐

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2:

For the beam loaded as shown in the figure below, compute the moment of area of the
M diagrams between the reactions about both the left and the right reaction. (Hint:
Resolve the trapezoidal loading into a uniformly distributed load and a uniformly
varying load.)

ΣMR2=0
4R1=200(4)(2)+(1/2)(3)(400)(1)
R1=550N

ΣMR1=0
4R2=200(4)(2)+(1/2)(3)(400)(3)
R2=850N
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(AreaAB)X¯A=(1/2)(4)(2200)(8/3)−(1/3)(4)(1600)(3)−(1/4)(3)(600)(17/5)
(AreaAB)X¯A=3803.33N⋅m3 answer

(AreaAB)X¯B=(1/2)(4)(2200)(4/3)−(1/3)(4)(1600)(1)−(1/4)(3)(600)(3/5)
(AreaAB)X¯B=3463.33N⋅m3 answer

SAMPLE PROBLEM 3:

For the beam in the figure below, find the value of EIδ at 2 ft from R2. (Hint: Draw the
reference tangent to the elastic curve at R2.)
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2
ΣMR2=0
6R1=80(4)(4)
R1=640/3 lb

ΣMR1=0
6R2=80(4)(2)
R2=320/3 lb

1
tA/C=𝐸𝐼 (𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎𝐴𝐶)X¯A

tA/C=(1/EI)[1/2(4)(2560/3)(8/3)+1/2(2)(640/3)(4+2/3)−1/3(4)(640)(3)]
tA/C=8960/3EI

tB/C=(1/EI)(AreaBC)X¯B
tB/C=(1/EI)[1/2(2)(640/3)(2/3)]
tB/C=1280/9EI
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2
By ratio and proportion:

y/2=tA/C/6
y=(2/6)(8960/3EI)
y=8960/9EI

δB=y−tB/C
δB=(8960/9EI)−(1280/9EI)
δB=2560/3EI
EIδB=2560/3 lb⋅ft3 answer

1.4. Conjugate Beam Method

Slope on real beam = Shear on conjugate beam

Deflection on real beam = Moment on conjugate beam

Properties of Conjugate Beam:

1. The length of a conjugate beam is always equal to the length of the actual beam.
2. The load on the conjugate beam is the M/EI diagram of the loads on the actual beam.
3. A simple support for the real beam remains simple support for the conjugate beam.
4. A fixed end for the real beam becomes free end for the conjugate beam.
5. The point of zero shear for the conjugate beam corresponds to a point of zero slope for the real
beam.
6. The point of maximum moment for the conjugate beam corresponds to a point of maximum
deflection for the real beam.

Supports of Conjugate Beam:

Knowing that the slope on the real beam is equal to the shear on conjugate beam and the
deflection on real beam is equal to the moment on conjugate beam, the shear and bending
moment at any point on the conjugate beam must be consistent with the slope and deflection
at that point of the real beam. Take for example a real beam with fixed support; at the point
of fixed support there is neither slope nor deflection, thus, the shear and moment of the
corresponding conjugate beam at that point must be zero. Therefore, the conjugate of fixed
support is free end.
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EXAMPLE 4:
Find the value of EIδ at 2 ft from R2.

Solution:
Solving for reactions

ΣMR2=0

6R1=80(4)(4)

R1=213.33 lb

ΣMR1=0

6R2=80(4)(2)

R2=106.67 lb
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From the conjugate beam

ΣMA=0

6F2+1/3(4)(640)[3/4(4)]=1/2(4)(853.33)[2/3(4)]+1/2(2)(213.33)[4+1/3(2)]

F2=497.77 lb⋅ft2

MB=1/2(2)(213.33[1/3(2)]−2F2

MB=1/2(2)(213.33[1/3(2)]−2(497.77)

MB=−853.32 lb⋅ft3

Thus, the deflection at B is

EIδB=MB

EIδB=−853.32 lb⋅ft3

EIδB=853.32 lb⋅ft3 downward answer

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2 Score:

ASSESSMENT
Name: Year & Section: Instructor:
Date Finished:

General Instructions: Read the questions carefully and answer all the items of this assessment.
Use another sheet/s of paper for your illustrations and computations. Avoid erasures. Do not
mutilate this paper.

1. Find the value of EIδ under each concentrated load of the beam shown in the figure below using the Area-
Moment Method.
2. Using Conjugate Beam Method. Refer to the same figure as #1.

3. Determine the maximum value of EIy for the cantilever beam loaded as shown in the figure below using
Double Integration Method. Take the origin at the wall. Use a=2.5 m, L=7 m, and P=1.25 KN.

Criteria: Solution 75 %
This shows the entire process of determining the correct answer for a particular
question. This includes the application and presentation of the
theory/concept/formula used to get what is/are required in the problem. It also
includes drawings or sketches to justify the entire process.
Correct Answer/s 25 %
This is the output of the entire process. This includes the correct magnitude plus the
correct unit of what is/are required in the problem.

Criteria: Presentation (Figures/Sketches) 20 %

Organization of thoughts 30 %
Originality of ideas 40 %
Language and Grammar 10 %

End of Assessment
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1.0. 2
References

Hibbeler, R.C. (2003). Structural Analysis (5th ed.). PEARSON EDUCATION (ASIA) PTE LTD.
Hibbeler, R.C. (2012). Structural Analysis (8th ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall.
Kassimali, A. (2011). Structural Analysis (4th ed., SI). Cengage Learning
Laddha, S. (05 Sept 2020). Determinacy and Indeterminacy Notes for Civil Engineering. grade up.
https://gradeup.co/determinacy-and-indeterminacy-study-notes-for-civil-i-962e5600-8eea-
11e7-b808-af67e196ee9a
Learn About Structures. (n.d.). External Indeterminacy.
https://learnaboutstructures.com/External-Indeterminacy
Learn About Structures. (n.d.). Internal Determinacy for Trusses.
https://learnaboutstructures.com/Determinacy-for-Trusses
Learn About Structures. (n.d.). Internal Indeterminacy.
https://learnaboutstructures.com/Internal-Indeterminacy
of Materials (4th ed.). HarperCollinsPublisher Inc.

1.1. Acknowledgment
The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were taken from
the references cited above.
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