Example: Determine the vertical and horizontal deflections at the point B of the truss

shown.

Solution: Apply a horizontal fictitious load P1 =0 at B and replace the 84kN load by P2
so that differentiation of the total strain energy can be carried out with respect to P1 and.
P2 . P1 =0 and P2=84kN

Ax

P1
Ay Cy
P2

∑F x = 0 → A x = 35 − P1
 4
∑M A = 0 →35(4) + 7C y − 4P2 = 0 → C y =
7
P2 − 20

3
∑F y = 0 → A y +C y − P2 = 0 → A y = 20 + P2
7

Using method of joints, calculate member forces. Take the partial derivatives of the
member forces with respect to P1 and P2

3 4
20 + P2 −20 + P2
7 7

Member L(m) F(kN) δF δF δF δF

FL FL
δ P1 δ P2 δ P1 P1 = 0 δ P2 P1 = 0
P2 =84 P2 =84

AB 4 -15+ P1+ 0.43P2 1 0.43 84.48 36.32

BC 3 -15+ 0.43P2 0 0.43 0 37.24
AD 5.66 -28.28-0.61P2 0 -0.61 0 274.55
BD 4 P2 0 1 0 336.00
CD 5 25-0.71P2 0 -0.71 0 122.97
TOTAL 84.48 797.08

⎛ ⎞
1 ⎜ FL δ F ⎟ = 84.48 kNm = 84.48
xB = ∑
EA ⎜⎜ δ P1 P1 = 0 ⎟ 200(106 )0.0012
= 0.00035m
⎟ AE
⎝ P2 =84 ⎠

⎛ ⎞
1 ⎜ FL δ F ⎟ = 797.08 kNm = 797.08
yB = ∑
EA ⎜⎜ δ P2 ⎟
P1 = 0 ⎟ AE 200(106 )0.0012
= 0.00332m
⎝ P2 =84 ⎠