Case Study

Deflection of Beams

Dela Cruz, Judy Ann M.

Marcelo, Frances Louise F.
CE - 405
 ABSTRACT

The deformation of a beam is usually expressed in terms of its deflection from

its original unloaded position. The deflection is measured from the original neutral
surface of the beam to the neutral surface of the deformed beam. The configuration
assumed by the deformed neutral surface is known as the elastic curve of the beam.
This study focuses on the analysis of Cantilever and Overhanging Beam. The
various methods use in solving the Deflection and Slope of the beam are Double
Integration, Moment Area by Parts, Conjugate Method, Virtual Works and
Castigliano’s Second Theorem. The calculation of the deflection along the beam
length requires numerical solution of simultaneous equations which is a significant
draw- back for optimization or reliability analysis. This paper aims to overcome
these shortcomings by presenting an analytical solution for which method is the
best way for the analysis of a cantilever beam and overhanging beam. For the
purpose of comparison, the deflections and slope were calculated and compared to
which method is efficient and convenient to use in Cantilever and Overhanging
Beam. It was found that Virtual Work Method is the most convenient method to use
in Cantilever and Overhanging Beam.
 I. INTRODUCTION
When a structure is loaded, its stressed elements deform. In a truss, bars in
tension elongate and bars in compression shorten. Beams bend and cables stretch.
As these deformations occur, the structure changes shape and points on the
structure displace. Although these deflections are normally small, as part of the
total design, the engineer must verify that these deflections are within the limits
specified by the governing design code to ensure that the structure is serviceable
(Leet and Uang 2005). When a beam deflected, slope can be measured. Slope in a
beam is the amount (in radians) by which the beam deflects at any section when
subjected to a particular load arrangement and under a particular support condition
(Laplace, J., 2015).

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. For most problems the elastic curve can be
sketched without much difficulty. When doing so, however, it is necessary to know
the restrictions as to slope or displacement that often occur at a support or a
connection. (Hibbeler, 2012)

There were 4 types of beam. But in this study, we will only focus on two: (a)
Overhanging Beam and (b) Cantilever Beam. If the ends of a beam are made to rest
freely on supports beam, it is called a simple (freely) supported beam. If a beam is
fixed at one end while the other end is free, it is called cantilever beam.

There are five (5) methods to be used in computing the deflection and slope of
a beam. Where we aim to find out which is the best and the most convenient
(easiest to hardest) method to use in solving the deflection and slope. These
methods are: (1) Double Integration, (b) Moment Area by Parts, (c) Conjugate
Method, (d) Virtual Works and/or (e) Castigliano’s Second Theorem.

The double integration method is able to get the equation of the elastic curve.
The first integration y' yields the slope of the elastic curve and the second
integration y gives the deflection of the beam at any distance x. The resulting
solution must contain two constants of integration since EI y" = M is of second
order. 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 determine the conjugate beam to be used for analysis,
the relationship between loads and curvature previously discussed in the theory is
applied. That is, that the slope and deflection at a support or connection on the real
beam is equal to the shear and moment at the same point on the conjugate beam
respectively. Therefore, each support or connection on the real beam will be
replaced with the conjugate support or connection that will follow this relationship
(Westergaard, 1921). The Method of Virtual Work is a technique used to determine
slope and deflection of a structure subjected to loading. In beams, the slope and
deflection at a given point can be obtained by analyzing the 'real system', then
subsequently creating a 'virtual system' using a unit load or moment at the point of
interest. By examining both the real and virtual systems, and applying the suitable
Virtual Work equation, a value for deflection or slope at a point can be obtained
(Erochko, J., 2013). While in the Castigliano’s Second Theorem, the first partial
derivative of the total internal energy in a structure with respect to the force
applied at any point is equal to the deflection at the point of application of that force
in the direction of its line of action.
  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The results will provide the students with some knowledge on the different
methods used in solving the deflection and slope of a beam and how cantilever and
overhanging beam can be easily solved using one the methods. It will give the
student’s a realization that Virtual Work Method is the best way to solved both
cantilever and overhanging beams. At the end of this study students would finally
know that there is an easy way of solving the deflection and slope of a cantilever
and overhanging beam by comparing the different methods.
IV. CONCLUSION
There were five (5) methods that was compared to determine which is the
most convenient way to find the deflection and slope of a beam, overhanging and
cantilever beam. The study meets its objective to identify which is the easiest and
most convenient method to use. Therefore, as we compared the five methods we
conclude that Virtual Works and Castigliano’s Second Theorem as the most
convenient method amongst the five methods that was used. These two methods
has a similar disadvantage: get the reaction wrong and all the solution is wrong and
on setting reference point. The advantages has also similarity and differences.
However, Virtual Works being used to complicated beams made it more
advantageous than the Castigliano’s. It was also found out that the Moment-Area
by parts method is the hardest method for both simply supported beam and
cantilever beam. Aside from getting the reactions off all the support, the considered
first part of the solution will dictate the flow of it- which is the moment by parts. If
you don’t know how to do it properly, the whole solution will suffer. However, if you
have completed the moment by parts, it will speed up your computation. While
Conjugate Method is considered easier in cantilever method than in overhanging
beam because the figure of the deflection is easy to perceive and the deflection and
slope can be solved by direct summation of y-component and moment, respectively.
On the other hand, Double Integration is easier in simply supported beam because
the addition of unknown is not as many as other complicated beams (pertaining to
C) and the same EI throughout the span which is easier and faster to solve. And the
least recommended method in both beam is Moment Area by Parts.
V. References

Kimiaeifar, A., Tolou, N., Barari, A., & Herder, J. L. (2013). Large deflection
analysis of cantilever beam under end point and distributed loads. Journal of the
Chinese Institute of Engineers, 37, 438–445.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02533839.2013.814991

Leet, K., Uang, C. M. (2005). Fundamentals of Structural Analysis (2nd ed.).

McGraw-Hill Education (Asia)

Hibbeler, R. C. (2012). Structural Analysis (8th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Kassimali, A. (2010). Structural Analysis (4th ed.). Australia: Cengage Learning

The Theorem of Least Work (2012):

https://engineering.purdue.edu/~ce474/Docs/The%20Theorem%20of%20Least%20W
ork_2012.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1QoIR-T-whG4yKif-
nqHj9O5ocs7TVWqWID40Xk96msxyXqoSick8uEAI

Moment Diagram by Parts: https://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/mechanics-and-

strength-of-materials/moment-diagrams-by-
parts?fbclid=IwAR0d8tskmJMLahUxAQLAYrUDRRqiQNdbhtGizfysJ8TM09mFstZ
GEyuCPKY

Double Integration Method: https://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/mechanics-and-

strength-of-materials/double-integration-method-beam-deflections