CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD

This is another elegant method for computing deflections and slopes in

beams. The principle of the method lies in calculating BM and SF in an
imaginary beam called as Conjugate Beam which is loaded with M/EI diagram
obtained for real beam. Conjugate Beam is nothing but an imaginary beam
which is of the same span as the real beam carrying M/EI diagram of real beam
as the load. The SF and BM at any section in the conjugate beam will represent
the rotation and deflection at that section in the real beam. Following are the
concepts to be used while preparing the Conjugate beam.

 It is of the same span as the real beam.

 The support conditions of Conjugate beam are decided as follows:

Some examples of real and conjugate equivalents are shown.

Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2
Problem 1 : For the Cantilever beam shown in figure, compute deflection
and rotation at (i) the free end (ii) under the load

Conjugate Beam:

By taking a section @ C´ and considering FBD of LHP,

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2

 SF   f x 

- 150
3 1 2    225
EI EI

BM @ C´=
- 150
3 12 2   450 ;
EI EI
Similarly by taking a section at A’ and considering FBD of LHP;
 225
SF @ A’ =
EI

 225
BM @ A’ = 2  2   900
EI EI
SF @ a section in Conjugate Beam gives rotation at the same section in Real
Beam

BM @ a section in Conjugate Beam gives deflection at the same section in

Real Beam

225
Therefore, Rotation @ C = ( )
EI

Deflection @ C=
450

EI

225
Rotation @ A = ( )
EI

Deflection @ A =
900

EI
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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2
Problem 2: For the beam shown in figure, compute deflections under the
loaded points. Also compute the maximum deflection. Compute, also the
slopes at supports.

Note that the given beam is symmetrical. Hence, all the diagrams for this beam
should be symmetrical. Thus the reactions are equal & maximum deflection
occurs at the mid span. The bending moment for the beam is as shown above.
The conjugate beam is formed and it is shown above.
For the conjugate beam:

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2

VA'  VB'  1 2 [Total load on Conjugate Beam ]

= 1
2 212 60EI 3  4 30EI 
180 120  150
 EI  EI   EI
= 1
2

To compute δC :
A section at C’ is placed on conjugate beam. Then considering
FBD of LHP;

+ BM @ C’=
150
3  12 3 60 1
EI  EI 

450 90 360
=  
EI EI EI

δC 
360
;
EI
δD = δC (Symmetry)

To compute δE:

A section @ E’ is placed on conjugate beam. Then considering

FBD of LHP;

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2

+ BM @ E’=
150
5  12 3 60 3  30 21
EI  EI  EI

i.e δE =
750 270 60 420
   
EI EI EI EI

150 150
θA = ( ) θB = ( )
EI EI

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2
Problem 3: Compute deflection and slope at the loaded point for the beam
shown in figure. Given E = 210 Gpa and I = 120 x 10 6mm4. Also calculate
slopes at A and B.

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 Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2
Note that the reactions are equal. The BMD is as shown above.

To Compute reactions in Conjugate Beam:

 1  60  1  120 
 fy  0  V  VB'    3  
'
3  0
 2  EI  2  EI 
A

90 180
VA'  VB'    0;
EI EI
270
VA'  VB' 
EI

 1  60  1  120 
m VA' 6    34  
0 32  0
 2  EI  2  EI 
B'

360 360 720

6VA'   
EI EI EI
120 150
VA'  ;
VB' 
EI EI

SF and BM at C’ is obtained by placing a section at C’ in the conjugate beam.

120 1  60 
SF @ C’ =   3
EI 2  EI 
30

EI

+ BM @ C’ =
120
3  1  60 31
EI 2  EI 
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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2

360 90 270
  
EI EI EI

Given E = 210 x 109 N/m2

= 210 x 106 kN/m2
I = 120 x 106 mm4
= 120 x 106 (10-3 m)4
= 120 x 106 (10-12)
= 120 x 10-6 m4;
EI = 210 x 106 (120 x 10-6) = 25200 kNm-2
30
Rotation @ C = = 1.19 x 10-3 Radians ( )
25200

270
Deflection @ C = = 0.0107 m
25200
= 10.71 mm ( )
θA = 4.76 X 10-3 Radians

θB = 5.95 X 10-3 Radians:

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2
Problem 4: Compute slopes at supports and deflections under loaded points

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2
for the beam shown in figure.
To compute reactions and BM in real beam:

  fy  0  V A  VB  150

+ M B  0 9VA  506  1003  0

600
VA   66.67kN VB  83.33kN
9

BM at (1) – (1) = 66.67 x

At x = 0; BM at A = 0, At x = 3m, BM at C = 200 kNm

BM at (2) – (2) = 66.67 x – 50 (x-3) = 16.67 x + 150

At x = 3m; BM at C = 200 kNm, At x = 6m, BM at D = 250 kNm

BM at (3) – (3) is computed by taking FBD of RHP. Then

BM at (3)-(3) = 83.33 x (x is measured from B)
At x = 0, BM at B = 0, At x = 3m, BM at D = 250 kNm

To compute reactions in conjugate beam:

1  200   100 
  fy  0  V '
 VB'  3   3 
2  EI   EI 
A

1  25  1  83.33 
 3   3 
2  EI  2  EI 
762.5

EI

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2

+ M '
B
0

i.e
 1   200   100   1   25   1   83.33 
9VA'   3 7   3 4.5   3 4   3 2 
 2   EI   EI   2   EI   2   EI 

3850
9VA' 
EI
427.77
VA' 
EI
334.73
VB' 
EI
334.73
 θ  427.77 ( ) θB  ( )
A
EI EI

To Compute δC :

A Section at C’ is chosen in the conjugate beam:

+ BM at C’ =
427.77
3   1 3 200 1
EI  2   EI 

983.31
=
EI

 δC =
983.31

EI

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2
To compute δD:

Section at D’ is chosen and FBD of RHP is considered.

+ BM at D’ =
334.73
3  1 3 83.33 1
EI 2  EI 

879.19
=
EI

δD 
879.19

EI

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2
Problem 5: Compute to the slope and deflection at the free end for the beam
shown in figure.

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2

The Bending moment for the real beam is as shown in the figure. The conjugate
beam also is as shown.

Section at A’ in the conjugate beam gives

4
 5x 2
SF @ A’ = 0 EI dx

5 x 5
=  3
4
3 0  64
EI 3EI

 320
=
3EI

320
 θA = ( )
3EI

1 4
BM @ A’ =   5x 2 x dx
EI 0
4
- 5 x4  5
=    256
EI  4  0 4EI

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Conjugate Beam method – Unit 2

δA =
320
EI


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