10.

4  Determining Deflections by Integration

of a Moment Equation
Whenever the assumptions of the previous section are satisfied and the bending moment
can be readily expressed as an integrable function of x, Equation (10.1) can be solved for
v=0 the deflection v of the elastic curve at any location x along the beam’s span. The procedure
Pin support begins with the derivation of a bending-moment function M(x) based on equilibrium con-
siderations. A single function that is applicable to the entire span may be derived, or it may
be necessary to derive several functions, each applicable only to a specific region of the
beam span. The moment function is substituted into Equation (10.1) to define the differen-
v=0 tial equation. This type of differential equation can be solved by integration. Integration of
Roller support Equation (10.1) produces an equation that defines the beam slope dv/dx. Integrating again
produces an equation that defines the deflection v of the elastic curve. This approach to
determining the elastic curve equation is called the double-integration method.
Each integration produces a constant of integration, and these constants must be eval-
v=0 uated from known conditions of slope and deflection. The types of conditions for which
Pin support values of v and dv/dx are known can be grouped into three categories: boundary conditions,
continuity conditions, and symmetry conditions.

v=0 Boundary Conditions

Roller support
Boundary conditions are specific values of the deflection v or slope dv/dx that are known at
particular locations along the beam span. As the term implies, boundary conditions are
found at the lower and upper limits of the interval being considered. For example, a bending-
moment equation M(x) may be derived for a particular beam within a region x1 ≤ x ≤ x2. The
boundary conditions, in this instance, would be found at x = x1 and x = x2.
dvdx = 0
v=0
Fixed support Boundary conditions are known slopes and deflections at the limits of the bending-
moment equation M(x). The term “boundary” refers to the bounds of M(x), not nec-
essarily the bounds of the beam. Although boundary conditions are found at beam
supports, only those supports within the bounds of the bending-moment equation
V=0 should be considered.
M=0
Free end
FIGURE 10.7  Boundary Figure 10.7 shows several supports and lists the boundary conditions associated with each.
conditions. A pin or roller support represents a simple support at which the beam is restrained from
deflecting transversely (either upward or downward for a horizontal beam); consequently,
the beam deflection at either a pin or a roller must be v = 0. Neither a pin nor a roller, how-
ever, restrains a beam against rotation, and consequently, the beam slope at a simple support
cannot be a boundary condition. At a fixed connection, the beam is restrained against both
deflection and rotation; therefore, v = 0 and dv/dx = 0 at such a connection.
While boundary conditions involving a deflection v and a slope dv/dx are normally
equal to zero at supports, there may be instances in which the engineer wishes to analyze
the effects of support displacement on the beam. For instance, a common design concern is
the possibility of support settlement, in which the compression of soil underneath a foun-
dation causes the support to be displaced downward. To examine possibilities of this sort,
nonzero boundary conditions may sometimes be specified.

One boundary condition can be used to determine one and only one constant of integration.

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