Elastic Deflection

Castiglianos Method
If deflection is not covered by simple cases in Table 5.1 (p186)

Complementary
Energy U

Stored Elastic Energy

U

Incremental:
Deflection:

Castiglinos Theorem:

U = U' = Q 2
dU = dU' = dQ
= dU dQ

= U Q

When a body is elastically deflected by any combination of loads, the

deflection at any point and in any direction is equal to the
partial derivative of strain energy (computed with all loads acting)
with respect to a load located at that point and acting
in that direction

Elastic Deflection

Castiglianos Method
Table 5.3 (p193): Energy and Deflection Equations

Example: Axial Tension

Stored Elastic Energy:
Case 1 from Table 5.1:
gives:

For varying E and A:

Elastic Deflection
Castiglianos Method
Table 5.3 (p193): Energy and Deflection Equations

(1) Obtain expression for all components of energy

Table 5.3

(2) Take partial derivative to obtain deflection

Castiglinos Theorem:

= U Q

Elastic Deflection: Castiglianos Method

first compute Energy, then Partial Derivative to get deflection

Here 2 types of loading:
Table 5.3

magnitude

Bending

and

@ x:

1. Energy: here it has two components:

(23=8)*3*4 = 96

2. Partial Derivatives for deflection:

Shear

Elastic Deflection: Castiglianos Method

Table 5.3

TWO METHODS

Differentiate after Integral

Differentiate under Integral

Elastic Deflection: Castiglianos Method

Transverse shear contributes only <5% to deflection

Elastic Deflection: Castiglianos Method

90 bend cantilever beam

shear neglected

Use of Dummy Load Q=0

Shear neglected => only 4 energy components:
1) BENDING portion a_b: Mab=Py
2) BENDING portion b_c: Mbc=Qx +Ph
3) TENSION portion a_b: Q
4) COMPRESSION portion b_c: P

(Tension and Compression

mostly negligible if torsion
and bending are present)

Elastic Deflection: Castiglianos Method

500kg x 9.8m/s2
=4900 N

Eccentrically Load Column

No Buckling

Redundant Support
Guy wire

Now Deflection known (=0)

Find necessary Tension Force F

Hence partial derivative of total elastic energy

with respect to F must be zero
Omit zero derivatives
- all energy terms above a
- compression term below a
Only bending term is left: M= (4900 N)(1.2m)-Fy = 5880 Nm - Fy

(Nm)2

(Nm)2

Nm3

Nm3

finite value

Nm

m3

m3

=! 0
F=2940 N