Structural Analysis

CE2100
Deflections Using Energy Methods

Work done by an external force:

Calculate the work done :
1) By gravity on a point mass(m) free falling a distance under gravity (g)
2) By gravity on a point mass(m) pulled vertically up by a distance .
3) By gravity on a car (m) travelling a distance (L) on an uphill slope().
4) By gravity on a car (m) travelling a distance (L) on a downhill slope().

Work done by an External force:

Calculate the work done :
1) By force P on a massless spring extending (lP) under load P.
2) By force P on a massless spring extending (lQ) under additional load
Q, while P was already acting.
3) By moment M1 on a rotational spring rotating () under moment M1.
4) By moment M1 on a rotational spring rotating () under moment M2,
while M1 was already acting.
5) By a Moment M on a beam deforming by (), rotating by ().

Work done by an Internal forces (Strain Energy):

Strain
Energy (U) is the potential energy that is

stored when solid elements undergo deformations.

Axial load P is applied gradually to the bar:

A,
E

d
Px

Energy (dU) stored in length dx = .dx. P/2

= P/AE; therefore, dU = P2/2AE)(dx)

U= P2L/2AE

Bending Moment M(x) is acting on a beam due to a set of

gradually applied loads:
d = (M/EI)dx

dU= M (d/2 = M2(dx)/2EI

U=

d
x

Principle of Work and Energy:

Internal
Work (Strain Energy) = External Work
U=

W=

=
L

-PL

U=W

Principle of Work and Energy:

Internal
Work (Strain Energy) = External
Work
U=

W=

=
M=wL2/2

For more than one point load, we need more

than one unknown variables to calculate W.
But we have only one equation (W=U). This
method is not suitable
6

Principle of Virtual Work

(Johann Bernoulli, 1717):

Not to be confused with Daniel

Bernoulli, though they were
contemporaries

Calculate the forces in each element due to the applied real loads.
Calculate internal deformations in each element due to the applied
real loads (dL).
Apply a unit virtual load at the location (and direction) where we
want to calculate the deformations due to the real loads.
Calculate internal forces in each element due to the virtual load (u).
External work by the virtual load while real loads are applied
gradually = 1 .
Internal work by the virtual load while real loads are applied
gradually = u.dL
1 . u.dL
Therefore, u.dL
Similarly, we can apply unit virtual moment to calculate
=uq.dL

Example, Truss
Please note that
there is a correction