516 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS DEFLECTION OF BEAMS 517

w
EI (dY ) ~W x0 _ WL'
dx atA 4 16

A~=====t======tC============~B
-___ I

-- __ ~ Yc -------
_-
[(: t A is the slope at A and is represented by 8 A ]

~,~ ------~----- WL2

~I<---------------------------------~~W
2 2
or Elx8 A =- - - -
16
Fig. 12.3
WL'
.. 8A =- 16EI
Now The slope at point B will be equal to 8A' since the load is symmetrically applied.

Consider a section X at a distance x from A. The bending moment at this section is WL'
given by,
.. eB = 8A =- 16EI ...(12.6)
Equation (12.6) gives the slope in radians.
Mx= R.4 xx
W Deflection at any point
=2 xx (Plus sign is as B.M. for left portion at X Deflection at any point is obtained by integrating the slope equation (iii). Hence inte-
is clockwise) grating equation (iii), we get
But B.M. at any section is also given by equation (12.3) as W x3 WL2
EI xy = 4'3-16x + C 2 ••. (iv)
M=EI d'y
dx' where C2 is another constant of integration. At A, x = 0 and the deflection (y) is zero.
Equating the two values ofRM., we get Hence substituting these values in equation (iu), we get
EI x 0 = 0 - 0 + C,
d'y W
EI---, = 2 xx .. (i) or C2 = 0
dx
Substituting the value of C 2 in equation (iv), we get
On integration, we get 3 2
EI x y = Wx _ WL • X ••• (v\
dy W x 2
EI-=~x-+C ... (ii) 12 16
dx 2 2 1 The above equation is known as the deflection equation. We can find the deflec~i')ll at
where C 1 is the constant of integration. And its value is obtained from boundary conditions. any point on the beam by substituting the values of x. The deflection is maximum at eentre
The boundary condition is that at x = ~, slope (dY) = 0 (As the maximum deflection is at the point C, where x = f· Letyc represents the deflection at C. Then substituting x = ~ andy = Yc
2 dx
centre, hence slope at the centre will be zero). Substituting this boundary condition in equa- in equation Cu), we get
tion (ii), we get
W (L)' WL' x (L)
W (L)2 E1xyc= 12 "2 -16 "2
O=-x - +C
4 2 1
WL' WL' WL' - 3WL'
-------
WL' 96 32 96
or C, =-16 2WL' WL'
Substituting the value of C l in equation (ii), we get =-96~-48

EI dy _- Wx' _ IVL' ( ... )

... Ill
WL3
dx 4 16 y, ~ - 48EI
The above equation is known the slope equation. We can find the slope at any point on (Negative sign shows that deflection is downwards)
the beam by substituting the values ofx. Slope is maximum at A. AtA,x = 0 and hence slope at
A will be obtained by substituting x = 0 in equation (iii). WL' ...(12.7)
.. Downward deflection, Y c = 48EI
518 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS DEFLECTION OF BEAMS 519

Problem 12.1. A beam 6 m long, simply supported at its ends, is carrying a point load of Now using equation (12.7), we get
50 kN at its centre. The moment of inertia of the beam (i.e. I) is given as equal to 78 x 106 mm4.
WL3
IrE for the material of the beam = 2.1 x 105 Nlmm 2 , calculate: (i) deflection at the centre orthe Yc; = 48EI
beam and (ii) slope at the supports.
2
Sol. Given: WL' L WL3 WL L)
=--x- ( ... 48EI = 16EI x "il"
Length, L = 6 m = 6 x 1000 = 6000 mm l6EI 3
Point load, W = 50 kN = 50,000 N
M.O'!., 1== 78 X 10 6 mm 4
4000
= 0.01745 x -3- [
.: WL2
l6EI
= 0.01745 from equation (i)]
Value of E = 2.1 x 10 5 N/mm 2
= 23.26 mm. Ans.
Let Yc = Deflection at the centre and
Problem 12.3. A beam 3 m long, simply supported at its ends, is carrying a point load
SA = Slope at the support.
W at the centre. If the slope at the ends of the beam should not exceed r, find the deflection at
(i) Using equation (12.7) for the deflection at the centre, we get
the centre of the beam. (Annamalai University, 1991)
WL3 Sol. Given:
Y, = 48EI
Length, L = 3 m = 3 x 1000 = 3000 mm
50000 x 6000 3
Point load at centre = W
= 48 x 2.1 x 10 5 x 78 x 10 6
= 13.736 mm. ADs.
Slope at the ends, El A = ElB = 1 a

(ii) Using equation (12.6) for the slope at the supports, we get 1 X"
== 180 ::::: 0.01745 radians
2
WL Let y c = Deflection at the centre
SB=SA==- --
l6EI
Using equation (12.6), we get
WL2
(Numerically) WL 2 WL2
l6EI ... (i)
SA == l6EI or 0.01745 = l6EI
50000 x 6000 2
--==~==--o radians Now using equation (12.7), we get
16 x 2.1 x 10 5 x 78 x 10 6
::::: 0.06868 radians WL3 WL2 L
Y, = 48EI = 16EI x"3
180
= 0.06868 x - - degree (.: 1 radian = 1~o. degree)
= 3.935°.
"
Ans.
Problem 12.2. A beam 4 metre long, simply supported at its ends, carries a point load W
= 0.01745 x"3
L
c- ~~I ~ 0.01745)

at its centre. If the slope at the ends of the beam is not to exceed r, find the deflection at the 3000
= 0.01745 x -3- ( ... L = 3000 mm)
centre of the beam.
Sol. Given: = 17.45 rum. Ans.
Length, L == 4 m : : : 4000 mm
Point load at centre::::: W 12.5. DEFLECTION OF A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM WITH AN ECCENTRIC POINT
LOAD
Slope at the ends, SA == 88 == 1a = 1180
x "
= 0.01745 radians A simply supported beam AB of length L and carrying a point load W at a distance a
from support A and at a distance b from support B is shown in Fig. 12.4.
Let Yc = Deflection at the centre
Using equation (12.6), for the slope at the supports, we get The reactions at A and B can be calculated by taking moments about A.
2 We find that reaction at A is given by
eA - WL-
-
- l6EI
(Numerically) Wxb Wxa
RA=-L and RB=-L-
or 0.01745 = WL' ... (i)
16EI
520 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS DEFLECTION OF BEAMS 521

W C -EI _ W.b.a'
1 - 2L
x 8e
I<- ' -----+I Substituting the value of C l in equations (i) and (iii), we get
c
Ar=====t'================~B
:x I dy_W.b 'EI
EI dx - 2L . x + x ec -
W.b.a'
2L ... (iv)
~-----a------~'~'----b--~
1+-__- '____ L _ _ _ _ _ _ _-+1
:~b
W.b Wa
L L Ely = . x3 + (EI.e c W':}/)x ... (v)

Fig. 12.4 The equation (iv) gives the slope whereas equation (v) gives the deflection at any point
in section AC. But the value of Be is unknown ..
(a) Now consider a section X at a distance x from A in length AC. The bending moment
(b) Now consider a section X at a distance x from A in length CB as shown in Fig. 12.5.
at this section is given by,
Here x varies from a to L. The B.M. at this section is given by,
Mx=RA xx Mx = RA·x - W(x - a)
Wxb W.b
= -L- x x (Plus sign due to sagging) = -y;- . x - W(x - a)
But B.M. at any section is also given by equation (12.3) as

M=EI d':;;
dx
Equating the two values of B.M., we get
d 2y W xb
EI=--, = -xx
dx L
W.b W.a
Integrating the above equation, we get L
L R,
2
EI dy = W x b x x + C ... (i)
dx L 2 1 Fig. 12.5
where C l is the constant of integration. But B.M. at this section is also given by equation (12.3) as
Integrating the equation (i), we get
M=EI d'y
W.b x 3 dX2
EI.y = U'3 + C1·x+ C2 ... (ii)
Equating the two values of B.M., we get
where C2 is another constant of integration. The values ofCl and C2 are obtained from bound-
ary conditions.
d 2y ~ ___
EI __
dx'
W.b
L
.x -W(x
. -a)

(i) At A, x :::: 0 and deflection y :::: 0 Integrating the above equation, we get
Substituting these values in equation (ii), we get
0= 0 + 0 + C 2
EI dy = W .b . W(x - £_ a)2 +C
3
... (vi)
dx L 2 2
C, = 0 where C3 is the constant of integration.
Substituting the value of C2 in equation (ii), we get Integrating the equation (vi) again, we get
_ W.b 3 W. b x 3 W (x _ a)3
EI.y- 6L .x +Cl·x ... (iii) EI.y = - - - . - - - . - - + C.;c + C4 •.. (vii)
2L 3 2 3
where C4 is another constant of integration. The values ofC3 and C 4 are obtained from bound-
(ii) At C, x = a and slope : = Se . (Note that value of Se is unknown).
ary conditions.
The value of C 1 is obtained by substituting these values in equation (i). Hence, we get ei) At B, x = Land y = O. Substituting these values in equation (vii), we get
W.b a 2 W b L3 W (L _ a)3
EI. ec = L~' '2 + C1 0= - - ' - . - - - --~. +C3 xL+C4
. 2L 3 2 3
 DEFLECTION OF BEAMS 523
522 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS

The deflection (i.e., y) at any point in CB is obtained by substituting the values 0[C3 and
W.b.L2 W.b' C4 in equation (vii). Hence, we get from equation (vii),
- 6 - + CsL +C4 (": L- a = b)
6 2
3 2
C =_W_b_ _ W.b.L -C xL EI. W.b6L .X , -6 W (x-a) 3 + (EI .8 - w.b.a
c 2L
)x
4
... (viii)
6 6 '
W.ab (
+ - 3 - (a-b)-EI. L. Se ... xi)
(ii) At C, x = a and slope :; = Se- (The value of Se is unknown).
The deflection at the point C is obtained by substituting x = a in the above equation. Let
The value of C3 is obtained by substituting these values in equation (vi). Yc = the deflection at C. Hence, we get
Hence, we get from" equation (vi) 2
EI8 - W.b.a
. c- 2L
W(
2
)2 C
- 2 a- a + 3
EI _ W.b.a
·Ye- 6L
3
W (a _a)3 + .(EI.S
6 e_
w.b.a
2L
)a
W.a.b
W.b.a
2
-o+C + - - 3 - (a - b) - EI.L.S e
2L 3
3 3
2 1 [w.b.a O+EI.a,Se- W.b.a + W.a.b(a_b)_EI.L.S e ]
C =EI.8 _ W.b.a or Ye= EI 6L 2L . 3
... (ix)
3 c 2L
Substituting the value of C3 in equation (viii), we get _ 1 IW.b.a 3 W· a;,b 3 + W.;.b (a-b) +EI.a.Se-EI.L.S ] ... (A)
2
- EI l 6L 2 e
_ W.b' _ W.b.L2 (EI.S _ w.b.a )L The deflection at the point C can also be obtained by substituting x = a in equation (v).
C4 - 6 6 e 2L
Hence, we get
2 3 2
W.b' W.b.L2 EI.ee.L+ W.b.a EI _ W. b. a (EI S _ W. b. a )
6 6 2 ·Yc - 6L + . c 2L .a
2
= W. b (b2 _ L2) _ EI.S . L + W. b. a 3
6 e 2 or Yc
=~[W.b.a3
EI 6L
+EI.8 .a- w.b.a ]
c 2L ...(B)
2
_ W.b(b2 L2'+ W.b.a EI.L.S
- 6 -) 2 e Equating the two values of Yc given by equations (A) and (B), we get
3
=
W.b
-6- [b2 - L2 + 3a 2]- EI.L.e e ~[W.b.a3 +El.8 .a- W.b.a3]_~[W.b.a3 W.h.a + W.a.h _
EI 6L e 2L - EI 6L 2L 3 (a b)
W.b 2
= -6 [b - (a + b)2 + 3a 2]_ EI.L,Se (.: L=a+b) + EI.a.Se - El.L.S e ]
W.b W.a.b
= -6- [6 2 - a 2 - b 2 - 2ab + 3a 2 ] - EI.L,Se or 0=--3- (a - b) - El.L.S e
W.b
= -6- [2a 2 - 2ab]- EI.L.ee or EI.L,Se = W. a ..!c (a _ b)
3
W.b W.a.b
= -6- x 2a(a - b) - EI.L.ee or Se = 3EI.L (a - b) ... (12.8)
W.ab The above equation gives the value of 8c (i.e., slope at point C). Substituting this value
= 3- [a - b]- EI.L,Se
of 8c in equation (iv), we get the slope at any point in AG. Hence, we get from equation (iv),
2
The slope (Le., : ) at any point in CB is obtained by substituting the value of C3 in EI dy ~ W.b.x'+Elx W.a.b(a_b)_ W.b.a
dx 2L 3EI.L 2L
equation (vi). Hence, we get from equation (vi),
2
= W.b x2 + W.a.b(a_b)_ W.b.a
dy W.b 2 W W.6.a 2
EI dx ~ 2£' x -2 (x - a)2 + EI.S e
2L
•.• (x) 2L 3L 2L
 524 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS DEFLECTION OF -BEAMS 525

W.b W.b [3x 2 -(a 2 +2ab)1=0

-~
= 6L [3x 2 + 2a(a - b) - 3a2 ] 6ElL
:=: W.b
BL [3x2-2ab-a2] ... (e) or 3x2 _ Ca2 + 2ab) = 0 (-: ~~1 cannot be zero)
As the length AC is more than length CB, hence maximum slope will be at the support
or
.. A, where x = O. Let the slope at A is represented by eA" Hence dy at A will be equal to eA , 112
dx
Substituting x = 0 in equation (C), we get x= a2~2ab
[ ]
El (ddxY)
atA
~ W. b
6L
[3 x 0 _ 2ab _ a 2 ] Substituting this value of x in equation CD), we get maximum deflection.

or El.SA =
W.b
6L (- 2ab - 2
a ) Y-
= W.b
BElL [(
a 2+2ab )312 _ ( a 2+2ab )112 Caz+2ab)
3 3
1
- W.a.b
or SA= BEl.L (a+2b) ... (12.9) _ W. b [<a 2 + 2ab)3/2 Ca 2 + 2ab)312]
[Negative sign with the slope means that tangent at the point A makes an angle in the - BElL 3 x 13 13
anti-clockwise or negative direction).
Value of Maximum Deflection
= W. b . (a2 + 2ab)3/2
BElL
[_1__ -.!..]
3x13 13
Since 'a' is more than 'b' hence maximum deflection will be in length AC. The deflection
at any point in length AC is given by equation (v) as . = W.b (a 2 +2ab)312 (1-3)
BElL 313
2
El.y -- W.b e;r;-x 3
+
(El . S c W.b.a
2L )
x W . b (a2 + 2ab)31Z

':i
913El.L
= W. b x3 +
BL
[EL W. 3El.L
a . b (a _ h) W
2
a ] x
Negative sign means the deflection is in downward direction.
D d W.b (a 2 + 2ab)312 ... (12.10)
:. ownwar, Ymax 9J3EI.L
r W.a.b b ]
l.: Sc ~ 3El.L (a- ) from Eq.(12.8) Deflection under the point load
Let Yc = Deflection under the point load
::: W.b x3 +[w.a.b ca _b)_ w.b.a 2 ].x The deflection at any point in length AC is given by equation CD), as
BL 3L 2L _ W.b 3 2 b]
Yc- BElL [x -x(a +2a )
W.b 3 2
= ~ [x + 2a (a - b)x - 3a . x] The deflection under the point load will be obtained by substituting x = a in the above
W.b 3 2 '} equation.
= -~ [x + 2a x - 2abx - Sa-x]
BL _ W.b 3 2
YC - BElL [a - a(a + 2ab)]
W.,b 3 2 W.b 3 2
= ilC [x - a x- 2abx] = 6L [x -x(a + 2ab)]
= W. b [a3 _ a3 _ 2a2b]
W.b 3 2 BElL
or y = BElL [x -x(a + 2ab)] ... (D) 2 2
= W. b x (_ 2a 2b) = _ Wa b
BElL 3ElL
The deflection will be maximum if : = 0
Negative sign means the deflection is downward.
dy IV.b
But - ~ -~ [3x'- (a 2 + 2ab)] Wa 2b z
dx 6ElL :. Downward, yc = 3ElL ... (12.11)

For maximum deflection, -k == 0

Note. The above method for finding the slope and deflection is very laborious. There is a simple
method of finding the slope and deflection at any point in a beam. This method is known as Macaulay's
method which will be discussed later on.