Module 1

DEFLECTION OF STATICALLY
DETERMINATE BEAMS :
DOUBLE- INTEGRATION METHOD

COURSE MATERIALS

The above figure shown is the edge view of the neutral surface of a deflected beam
which is called the “elastic curve”. From this we are going to determine the equation of
the curve, that is how to determine the vertical displacement “y” of any point in terms of
its coordinate.
The deflections are assumed to be so small that there is no appreciable
difference between the original length of the beam and the projection of its deflected
length. Consequently the elastic curve is very flat and its slope at any point is very
small. The value of the slope, tan θ = dy/dx, may therefore with only small error be set
equal to θ, hence

𝑑𝑦
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = ------------------------------------- (a)
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝜃 𝑑2 𝑦
and = 𝑑𝑥 2 ------------------------------------- (b)
𝑑𝑥

If we consider the variation in θ in a differential length “ds” caused by bending in the

beam, it is evident that

𝑑𝑠 = 𝜌𝑑𝜃 ------------------------------------- (c)

Where ρ is the radius of the curve over the length ds. Because the elastic curve is very
flat, ds is practically (the same) equivalent to dx. From equations (c) and (b) we obtain:

1 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜃
= ≈ 𝑑𝑥
𝜌 𝑑𝑠

1 𝑑2 𝑦
= 𝑑𝑥 2 ------------------------------------- (d)
𝜌

In the derivation of the flexure formula, we obtain the relation:

1 𝑀
= 𝐸𝐼 ------------------------------------- (e)
𝜌

Equating the values of equation (d) and (e):

𝑑2𝑦 𝑀
=
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼

𝑑2 𝑦
or 𝐸𝐼 =𝑀 ------------------------------------ (f)
𝑑𝑥 2

The above equation is known as the differential equation of the elastic curve of a beam.
The product EI is called the “flexural rigidity” which is usually constant.

Integrating the equation of the elastic curve,

𝑑2 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = ∫ 𝑀𝑑𝑥 + 𝐶1 -------------------------- (g)
𝑑𝑥 2
This is the slope of equation specifying the slope of the value of dy/dx at any point.
Note: M is the moment equation in terms of x, and given conditions of the loading.
Integrating further equation (g),

𝐸𝐼𝑦 = ∫ ∫ 𝑀𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2
This is the equivalent deflection equation of the elastic curve specifying the “y” value for
any value of x; C2 is another constant which must be evaluated from the given
conditions of the beam and its loadings.