9.

9 CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM FOR BEAMS AND FRAMES 387

9.9 Castigliano’s Theorem for Beams

and Frames

Eq. 9–11 ( Ui = 1 M 2 dx >2EI ) . Substituting this equation into Eq. 9–20

The internal bending strain energy for a beam or frame is given by

(! i = 0Ui >0Pi) and omitting the subscript i, we have

L
M 2 dx
0P L0 2EI
0
! =

Rather than squaring the expression for internal moment M, integrating,

and then taking the partial derivative, it is generally easier to differentiate
prior to integration. Provided E and I are constant, we have

L0
0M dx
! = Ma b (9–28)
0P EI

where
! = external displacement of the point caused by the real loads
acting on the beam or frame.
P = external force applied to the beam or frame in the direction of !.
M = internal moment in the beam or frame, expressed as a function of
x and caused by both the force P and the real loads on the beam.
E = modulus of elasticity of beam material.
I = moment of inertia of cross-sectional area computed about the
neutral axis.
If the slope u at a point is to be determined, we must find the partial
derivative of the internal moment M with respect to an external couple
moment M " acting at the point, i.e.,

L0
0M dx
u = Ma b (9–29)
0M " EI
9

The above equations are similar to those used for the method of virtual
work, Eqs. 9–22 and 9–23, except 0M >0P and 0M >0M " replace m and m u,
respectively. As in the case for trusses, slightly more calculation is
generally required to determine the partial derivatives and apply
Castigliano’s theorem rather than use the method of virtual work. Also,
recall that this theorem applies only to material having a linear elastic
response. If a more complete accountability of strain energy in the
structure is desired, the strain energy due to shear, axial force, and torsion
must be included. The derivations for shear and torsion follow the same
development as Eqs. 9–25 and 9–26. The strain energies and their
derivatives are, respectively,
 388 CHAPTER 9 DEFLECTIONS USING ENERGY METHODS

L L
V 2 dx 0Us
L0 2A G L0 G 0P
V 0V
Us = K = a b dx
0P A
L L
T 2 dx 0Ut
L0 2JG L0 JG 0P
T 0T
Ut = = a b dx
0P

These effects, however, will not be included in the analysis of the problems
in this text since beam and frame deflections are caused mainly by bending
strain energy. Larger frames, or those with unusual geometry, can be
analyzed by computer, where these effects can readily be incorporated
into the analysis.

Procedure for Analysis

The following procedure provides a method that may be used to

determine the deflection and/or slope at a point in a beam or frame
using Castigliano’s theorem.

External Force P or Couple Moment M’

Place a force P on the beam or frame at the point and in the
direction of the desired displacement.
If the slope is to be determined, place a couple moment M" at
the point.
It is assumed that both P and M " have a variable magnitude in
order to obtain the changes 0M >0P or 0M >0M ".

Internal Moments M
Establish appropriate x coordinates that are valid within regions
of the beam or frame where there is no discontinuity of force,
distributed load, or couple moment.
Calculate the internal moment M as a function of P or M " and
9 each x coordinate. Also, compute the partial derivative 0M >0P or
0M >0M " for each coordinate x.
After M and 0M >0P or 0M >0M " have been determined, assign P
or M " its numerical value if it has replaced a real force or couple
moment. Otherwise, set P or M " equal to zero.

Castigliano’s Theorem
Apply Eq. 9–28 or 9–29 to determine the desired displacement !
or slope u. It is important to retain the algebraic signs for
corresponding values of M and 0M >0P or 0M >0M ".
If the resultant sum of all the definite integrals is positive, ! or u
is in the same direction as P or M".
 9.9 CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM FOR BEAMS AND FRAMES 389

EXAMPLE 9.14
Determine the displacement of point B of the beam shown in
Fig. 9–27a. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 500 ( 106 ) mm4.

P
12 kN/m 12 kN/ m

B
A x
10 m
10 m
(a)
(b)

SOLUTION
External Force P. A vertical force P is placed on the beam at B as
shown in Fig. 9–27b.

Internal Moments M. A single x coordinate is needed for the

solution, since there are no discontinuities of loading between A and B.
Using the method of sections, Fig. 9–27c, we have
x_ 12 x P
x
a + #M = 0; -M - (12x)a b - Px = 0 2
2
M
0M
M = -6x 2 - Px = -x
0P
V x
Setting P = 0, its actual value, yields
(c)
2 0M
M = -6x = -x Fig. 9–27
0P

Castigliano’s Theorem. Applying Eq. 9–28, we have

L 10
( -6x 2 )( -x ) dx 15 ( 103 ) kN # m3
L0 L0
0M dx 9
!B = Ma b = =
0P EI EI EI

or

15 ( 103 ) kN # m3
!B =
200 ( 106 ) kN>m2 3 500 ( 106 ) mm4 4 ( 10-12 m4 >mm4 )

= 0.150 m = 150 mm Ans.

The similarity between this solution and that of the virtual-work

method, Example 9.7, should be noted.
 390 CHAPTER 9 DEFLECTIONS USING ENERGY METHODS

EXAMPLE 9.15
Determine the slope at point B of the beam shown in Fig. 9–28a. Take
3 kN
E = 200 GPa, I = 60 ( 106 ) mm4.
B C
A
SOLUTION
5m 5m
External Couple Moment M’. Since the slope at point B is to be
(a) determined, an external couple M" is placed on the beam at this point,
Fig. 9–28b.

Internal Moments M. Two coordinates, x 1 and x 2, must be used to

determine the internal moments within the beam since there is a
discontinuity, M ", at B. As shown in Fig. 9–28b, x 1 ranges from A to B
and x 2 ranges from B to C. Using the method of sections, Fig. 9–28c, the
internal moments and the partial derivatives are computed as follows:
For x 1:
3 kN
a + #M = 0; M 1 + 3x 1 = 0
M¿
B C
A M 1 = -3x 1
x1 x2 0M 1
= 0
0M "
(b) For x 2:

3 kN a + #M = 0; M 2 - M " + 3(5 + x 2) = 0
M1 M 2 = M " - 3(5 + x 2)
0M 2
x1 V1 = 1
0M "
Castigliano’s Theorem. Setting M " = 0, its actual value, and
3 kN
M¿ applying Eq. 9–29, we have
M2
L

L0
0M dx
x2 V2
uB = Ma b
5m 0M " EI

112.5 kN # m2
5 5
( -3x 1 ) (0) dx 1 -3 ( 5 + x 2 ) (1) dx 2
L0 L0
9 (c)
= + = -
Fig. 9–28 EI EI EI
or
-112.5 kN # m2
uB =
200 ( 106 ) kN>m2 3 60 ( 106 ) mm4 4 ( 10-12 m4 >mm4 )
= -0.00938 rad Ans.
The negative sign indicates that uB is opposite to the direction of the
couple moment M". Note the similarity between this solution and that
of Example 9.8.
 9.9 CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM FOR BEAMS AND FRAMES 391

EXAMPLE 9.16
Determine the vertical displacement of point C of the beam shown in
Fig. 9–29a. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 150 ( 106 ) mm4.

SOLUTION
External Force P. A vertical force P is applied at point C,
Fig. 9–29b. Later this force will be set equal to a fixed value of 20 kN.

Internal Moments M. In this case two x coordinates are needed for

the integration, Fig. 9–29b, since the load is discontinuous at C. Using 20 kN
8 kN/m
the method of sections, Fig. 9–29c, we have
For x 1: B
A
x1 C
a + #M = 0; -(24 + 0.5P)x 1 + 8x 1 a b + M 1 = 0 4m 4m
2
(a)
M 1 = (24 + 0.5P)x 1 - 4x 21
0M 1
= 0.5x 1
0P
For x 2:
P
8 kN/ m
a + #M = 0; -M 2 + (8 + 0.5P)x 2 = 0

M 2 = (8 + 0.5P)x 2
x1 x2
0M 2 8 ! 0.5 P
= 0.5x 2 24 ! 0.5 P
0P
(b)

Castigliano’s Theorem. Setting P = 20 kN, its actual value, and

applying Eq. 9–28 yields
L

L0
0M dx x1
! Cv = Ma b 8x1 ___
0P EI 2
M1 M2
4 4
( 34x 1 - 4x 21 )( 0.5x 1 ) dx 1 ( 18x 2 )( 0.5x 2 ) dx 2
L0 L0
= + V1 V2 9
x1 x2
EI EI 8 ! 0.5 P
24 ! 0.5 P

234.7 kN # m3 192 kN # m3 426.7 kN # m3

= + = (c)
EI EI EI
Fig. 9–29
or
426.7 kN # m3
! Cv =
200 ( 106 ) kN>m2 3 150 ( 106 ) mm4 4 ( 10-12 m4 >mm4 )

= 0.0142 m = 14.2 mm Ans.

 392 CHAPTER 9 DEFLECTIONS USING ENERGY METHODS

EXAMPLE 9.17
Determine the slope at point C of the two-member frame shown in
2 k/ft Fig. 9–30a. The support at A is fixed. Take E = 29 ( 103 ) ksi, I = 600 in4.

B C
SOLUTION
10 ft 12 ft
External Couple Moment M’. A variable moment M" is applied to
the frame at point C, since the slope at this point is to be determined,
60!
A Fig. 9–30b. Later this moment will be set equal to zero.

(a) Internal Moments M. Due to the discontinuity of internal loading

at B, two coordinates, x 1 and x 2, are chosen as shown in Fig. 9–30b.
Using the method of sections, Fig. 9–30c, we have

For x 1:
2 k/ft
x1
a + #M = 0; -M 1 - 2x 1 a b - M" = 0
2
x2 C
B
12 ft
x1 M¿ M 1 = - 1 x 21 + M " 2
10 ft
0M 1
= -1
0M "
A
For x 2:
(b)
a + #M = 0; -M 2 - 24(x 2 cos 60$ + 6) - M " = 0

M 2 = -24(x 2 cos 60$ + 6) - M "

x1 2x1
___
2 0M 2
M1 = -1
0M "
x1 M¿
V1
Castigliano’s Theorem. Setting M " = 0 and applying Eq. 9–29
yields
24 k
L

L0
B
0M dx
9 uC = Ma b
x2 0M " EI
6 ft M¿
60 ! 12
1 -x 21 2 (-1) dx 1 10
-24 ( x 2 cos 60$ + 6 ) (-1) dx 2
L0 L0
M2 V2 = +
EI EI
N2
x2 cos 60 ! " 6 ft 576 k # ft2 2040 k # ft2 2616 k # ft2
= + =
(c) EI EI EI

Fig. 9–30 2616 k # ft2 ( 144 in2 >ft2 )

uC = = 0.0216 rad Ans.
29 ( 103 ) k>in2 ( 600 in4 )