Fall 2024-25

School of Mechanical Engineering

BMEE202L Mechanics of Solids

Module 5
Deflection of Beams
By
Dr. T. Christo Michael
Professor
Outline
 Why Deflection?
 Equation of Elastic Curve
 Deflection of Beams by Different Methods

2
 Why Deflection ?

 The design specifications of a beam will generally include a

maximum allowable value for its deflection

 Hence, the determination of the maximum deflection of a

beam under a given loading, becomes an important concern
for a designer

3
 Equation of Elastic Curve

From the elementary calculus, the

curvature of a plane curve at a point
Q (x,y) of the curve can be
expressed as

But, in the case of the elastic curve of a beam, the slope dy/dx is very small,
and its square is negligible compared to unity. We write, therefore,

But, we know, Therefore,

4
Deflection of Beams by Different Methods
 Double Integration Method
 Macaulay’s Method (using Singularity Function)
 Moment Area Method
 Conjugate Beam Method
 Superposition Method
 Castigliano’s Theorem (Energy Method)
 Statically Indeterminate Beam
 Numerical Integration Method

5
 Double Integration Method
Cantilever Beam with a point load at the end:

At the fixed end B we have x = L and θ = dy/dx = 0

At B we have x = L, y = 0

6
The slope equation is

The deflection equation is

The deflection and slope at A are obtained by letting x = 0 in

slope and deflection Eqns.

7
Simply supported beam with a point load at the mid:
𝑃
𝑅A = 𝑅B =
2 𝒙
𝑃
𝑀= 𝑥
2
𝑑2𝑦 𝑃
𝐸𝐼 2 = 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦 𝑃 2
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑥 + 𝐶1 𝑥 = 0; 𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑥 4 𝑥 = 𝐿; 𝑦 = 0
At x = L/2, we have θ = dy/dx = 0
𝑑𝑦
𝑥 = 𝐿/2; =0
2 𝑑𝑥
𝑃 𝐿 𝑃𝐿2
0= + 𝐶1 𝐶1 = −
4 2 16
The slope equation is
𝑑𝑦 𝑃 2 𝑃𝐿2
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑥 −
𝑑𝑥 4 16 8
 𝑑𝑦 𝑃 2 𝑃𝐿2
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑥 −
𝑑𝑥 4 16

𝑃 3 𝑃𝐿2 𝑥
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑥 − + 𝐶2
12 16
At x = 0, we have y = 0
𝐶2 = 0
The deflection equation is
𝑃 3 𝑃𝐿2 𝑥
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑥 −
12 16
At x = 0, the slope is At x = L/2, the deflection, y is maximum

𝑑𝑦 𝑃𝐿2 𝑃𝐿3
=− 𝑦max =−
𝑑𝑥 16𝐸𝐼 48𝐸𝐼

9
Simply supported beam with udl throughout the length:

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑀 𝑥
2
=
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
Differentiate w.r.to x
𝑑3𝑦 1 𝑑𝑀 𝑑𝑀
3
= =𝑉
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑3 𝑦 𝑉 𝑥
3
=
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼

Differentiate w.r.to x
𝑑4 𝑦 1 𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉
= = −𝑤
𝑑𝑥 4 𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑4 𝑦 𝑤 𝑥
=−
𝑑𝑥 4 𝐸𝐼
10
 𝑑4 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 4 = −𝑤
𝑑𝑥
𝑑3 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 3 = 𝑉 𝑥 = −𝑤𝑥 + 𝐶1
𝑑𝑥
𝑑2 𝑦 1
𝐸𝐼 2 = 𝑀 𝑥 = − 𝑤𝑥 2 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2
𝑑𝑥 2
At x = 0, M = 0
𝐶2 = 0
At x = L, M = 0

1
𝐶1 = 𝑤𝐿
2
The bending moment equation is
𝑑2𝑦 1 2
1
𝐸𝐼 2 = 𝑀 𝑥 = − 𝑤𝑥 + 𝑤𝐿𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2 2
11
 𝑑2𝑦 1 2
1
𝐸𝐼 2 = 𝑀 𝑥 = − 𝑤𝑥 + 𝑤𝐿𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2 2
𝑑𝑦 1 1
𝐸𝐼 = − 𝑤𝑥 + 𝑤𝐿𝑥 2 + 𝐶3
3
𝑑𝑥 6 4
1 1
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = − 𝑤𝑥 + 𝑤𝐿𝑥 3 + 𝐶3 𝑥 + 𝐶4
4
24 12
At x = 0, y = 0
𝐶4 = 0
At x = L, y = 0
At x = L/2, y is maximum
1 1
0 = − 𝑤𝐿 + 𝑤𝐿4 + 𝐶3 𝐿
4
24 12 5𝑤𝐿4
1 𝑦 max =
𝐶3 = − 𝑤𝐿3 384𝐸𝐼
24
1 1 1
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = − 𝑤𝑥 + 𝑤𝐿𝑥 − 𝑤𝐿3 𝑥 + 𝐶4
4 3
24 12 24
12
Limitations of Double Integration Method
 In the case of the beam and loading
shown, two differential equations
are required, one for the portion of
beam AD and the other for the
portion DB
 The first equation yields the
functions θ1 and y1, and the second
the functions θ2 and y2
 Altogether, four constants of
integration must be determined
 Two will be obtained by writing that
the deflection is zero at A and B,
and the other two by expressing
that the portions of beam AD and
DB have the same slope and the
same deflection at D
 This method is quite laborious 13
Macaulay’s Method (using Singularity Function)

Singularity Function

14
Example 1
For the beam and loading shown in Figure, determine the maximum
deflection and the slope at end A. E = 200 GPa and I = 65x106 mm4.
𝒙

𝑅A = 25 kN
𝑅B = 20 kN

𝑑2 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 2 = 𝑀
𝑑𝑥
𝑀 = 25𝑥 − 30 𝑥 − 2 − 15 𝑥 − 4
𝑑2 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 2 = 25𝑥 − 30 𝑥 − 2 − 15 𝑥 − 4 (𝟏)
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 12.5𝑥 2 − 15 𝑥 − 2 2 − 7.5 𝑥 − 4 2 + 𝐶1 (𝟐)
𝑑𝑥
12.5 3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑥 − 5 𝑥 − 2 3 − 2.5 𝑥 − 4 3 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2 (𝟑)
3 15
At x = 0, y = 0; sub in (3)
12.5 3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑥 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2
3
0 = 0 + 0 + 𝐶2 𝐶2 = 0

At x = 6 m, y = 0; sub in (3)
12.5
0= (6)3 −5 6 − 2 3 − 2.5 6 − 4 3 + 𝐶1 (6) 𝐶1 = −93.33
3
𝑑𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 12.5𝑥 2 − 15 𝑥 − 2 2 − 7.5 𝑥 − 4 2 − 93.33 (𝟒)
𝑑𝑥
12.5 3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑥 − 5 𝑥 − 2 3 − 2.5 𝑥 − 4 3 − 93.33𝑥 (𝟓)
3
𝑑𝑦
At maximum deflection, =0
𝑑𝑥

0 = 12.5𝑥 2 − 15 𝑥 − 2 2 − 7.5 𝑥 − 4 2 − 93.33

0 = 12.5𝑥 2 − 15 𝑥 − 2 2
− 93.33 𝑥 = 2.9 m 16
 12.5 3 3
𝐸𝐼𝑦max = 𝑥 −5 𝑥−2 − 93.33𝑥 × 1012
3

𝑦max = −13.3 mm

Slope at A,
𝑥=0
𝑑𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 12.5𝑥 2 − 15 𝑥 − 2 2 − 7.5 𝑥 − 4 2 − 93.33
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 −93.33 × 109
𝐸𝐼 = 0 − 93.33 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 200 × 103 × 65 × 106
𝑑𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = −93.33 × 109
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
= −0.0072
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 −93.33 × 109
=
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
17
Example 2
For the beam and loading shown, using singularity functions, (a)
express the slope and deflection as functions of the distance x from
the support at A, (b) determine the deflection at the midpoint D. Use E
= 200 GPa and I = 6.87 x 10-6 m4.

𝑑2 𝑦 2 2
𝐸𝐼 2 = 2.6𝑥 − 1.2 𝑥 − 0.6 − 0.75 𝑥 − 0.6 + 0.75 𝑥 − 1.8
𝑑𝑥
−1.44 𝑥 − 2.6 0 (𝟏) 18
 𝑑2 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 2 = 2.6𝑥 − 1.2 𝑥 − 0.6 − 0.75 𝑥 − 0.6 2 + 0.75 𝑥 − 1.8 2
𝑑𝑥
−1.44 𝑥 − 2.6 0 (𝟏)
𝑑𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 1.3𝑥 2 − 0.6 𝑥 − 0.6 2 − 0.25 𝑥 − 0.6 3 + 0.25 𝑥 − 1.8 3
𝑑𝑥
−1.44 𝑥 − 2.6 1 + 𝐶1 (𝟐)

𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 0.433𝑥 3 − 0.2 𝑥 − 0.6 3 − 0.0625 𝑥 − 0.6 4 + 0.0625 𝑥 − 1.8 4

−0.72 𝑥 − 2.6 2 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2 (𝟑)

At x = 0, y = 0; sub in (3)
𝐶2 = 0
At x = 3.6 m, y = 0; sub in (3)

0 = 0.433(3.6)3 −0.2(3)3 −0.0625(3)4 +0.0625(1.8)4 −0.72 + 𝐶1 (3.6)

𝐶1 = −2.692
19
 𝑑𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 1.3𝑥 2 − 0.6 𝑥 − 0.6 2 − 0.25 𝑥 − 0.6 3
+ 0.25 𝑥 − 1.8 3
𝑑𝑥
−1.44 𝑥 − 2.6 1 − 2.692 (𝟒)

𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 0.433𝑥 3 − 0.2 𝑥 − 0.6 3 − 0.0625 𝑥 − 0.6 4 + 0.0625 𝑥 − 1.8 4

−0.72 𝑥 − 2.6 2 − 2.692𝑥 (𝟓)

Deflection at D, x = 1.8 m
𝐸𝐼𝑦D = 0.433(1.8)3 −0.2 1.2 3 − 0.0625 1.2 4 + 0.0625(0)4
−0.72 −0.8 2 − 2.692(1.8)

𝐸𝐼𝑦D = 0.433(1.8)3 −0.2 1.2 3 − 0.0625 1.2 4

+ 0.0625(0)4
−0 − 2.692 1.8 = −2.794
𝐸𝐼𝑦D = −2.794
−2.794 × 103
𝑦D =
200 × 109 × 6.87 × 10−6

𝑦D = −2.03 mm
20
Example 3
The beam is subjected to the load shown. Determine the equation
of the elastic curve. EI is constant.

21
Example 4
An overhanging beam with uniformly distributed load of 6 kN/m
distributed over 1.5 m and two concentrated loads of 20 kN are as
shown in Fig. 1. The cross section of the beam is shown in Fig. 2.

All dimensions
Fig. 1
Fig. 2 are in mm
Find the deflections at the ends using Macaulay’s method. Take
Young’s modulus as 200 GPa.

22
Example 5
The wooden beam is subjected to the load shown in Fig. 1. The cross
section of the beam is shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

Find the deflection at the free end using Macaulay’s method.

Take Young’s modulus as 12 GPa.

23
Moment Area Method
 The moment-area method provides a semi-graphical technique
for finding the slope and displacement at specific points on the
elastic curve of a beam or shaft
 Application of the method requires calculating areas associated
with the beam’s moment diagram
 The moment-area method is based on two theorems, one used
to determine the slope and the other to determine the
displacement at a point on the elastic curve

24
 Consider a beam AB subjected to
some arbitrary loading

 We draw the diagram representing

the variation along the beam of
the quantity M/EI obtained by
dividing the bending moment M by
the flexural rigidity EI

 Except for a difference in the

scales of ordinates, this diagram
will be the same as the bending-
moment diagram if the flexural
rigidity of the beam is constant

25
From the elastic curve,
𝑑𝑦
𝜃=
𝑑𝑥

We know,
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑2 𝑦 𝑀
𝐸𝐼 2 = 𝑀 2 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼

𝑑 𝑑𝑦 𝑀
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼

𝑑𝜃 𝑀
=
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼

𝑀
𝑑𝜃 = 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼
26
 𝑀
𝑑𝜃 = 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼

Considering two arbitrary points C and

D on the beam and integrating both
members of the above equation from C
to D
𝜃𝐷 𝑥𝐷
𝑀
𝑑𝜃 = 𝑑𝑥
𝜃𝐶 𝑥𝐶 𝐸𝐼

𝑥𝐷
𝑀
𝜃𝐷 − 𝜃𝐶 = 𝑑𝑥
𝑥𝐶 𝐸𝐼

This is the first moment-area theorem

27
 Consider two points P and P' located between C and D, and at a
distance dx from each other
 The tangents to the elastic curve drawn at P and P' intercept a
segment of length dt on the vertical through point C.
 Since the slope θ at P and the angle dθ formed by the tangents at
P and P' are both small quantities, we can assume that dt is equal
to the arc of circle of radius x1 subtending the angle dθ. We have,
therefore,

Integrating from C to D

tC/D and is called the tangential deviation

of C with respect to D 28
 We now observe that (M/EI)dx represents an element of area
under the (M/EI) diagram, and x1(M/EI)dx the first moment of that
element with respect to a vertical axis through C (see the figure)
 We can, therefore, state the second moment-area theorem as
follows: The tangential deviation tC/D of C with respect to D is equal
to the first moment with respect to a vertical axis through C of the
area under the (M/EI) diagram between C and D

29
30
Conjugate Beam Method
 Conjugate beam is an
imaginary beam of the same
length of the real beam

 The load diagram of the

conjugate beam is M/EI
diagram. Shear force at any
location of the conjugate
beam is the slope of the real
beam at the corresponding
point and the bending
moment of the conjugate
beam is the deflection in the
real beam
31