9 Civil Engineering Department
FLEX Course Material
To develop the expression
of the virtual work
method to determine the
deflections of trusses
To demonstrate the
application of virtual work
method
Virtual Work
Method
Theory of Structures II
Richard G. Villamora
Faculty, Civil Engineering Department
College of Engineering
Virtual Work Method
The principle of virtual is
sometimes referred to as
the unit-load method. It
provides a general means
of obtaining the
displacement and slope at
a specific point on a
structure, be it a beam,
frame, or truss.
Principle of Virtual Work
In general, then, the principle of work and energy states:
Based on this concept, the principle of virtual work will now be developed. From the figure above ,
suppose it is necessary to determine the displacement of point A on the body caused by the “real
loads” Ps, Since no external load acts on the body at A and in the direction of Δ, the displacement
can be determined by first placing on the body a “virtual” load such that this force P’ acts in the
same direction as Δ. For convenience, which will be apparent later, we will choose to have a “unit”
magnitude, that is, P’ = 1. The unit load does create an internal virtual load u in a representative
element or fiber of the body. Here it is required that P’ and u be related by the equations of
equilibrium.
Once the virtual loadings are applied, then the body is subjected to the real loads P1, P2 and P3.
Point A will be displaced an amount Δ causing the element to deform an amount dL. Realizing that
the external virtual work is equal to the internal virtual work done on all the elements of the body,
we can write the virtual-work equation as
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By choosing P’=1, it can be seen that the solution for Δ follows directly, since Δ = ΣudL.
Principle of Virtual Work
If the rotational displacement or slope of the tangent at a point on a structure is to be determined,
a virtual couple moment M’ having a “unit” magnitude is applied at the point. As a consequence,
this couple moment causes a virtual load in one of the elements of the body. Assuming that the
real loads deform the element an amount dL, the rotation can be found from the virtual-work
equation
This method for applying the principle of virtual work is often referred to as the method of virtual
forces, since a virtual force is applied resulting in the calculation of a real displacement.
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External Loading. Consider the vertical displacement Δ of joint B of the
truss shown, a typical element of the truss would be one of its members
having a length L. If the applied loadings P1 & P2 cause a linear elastic
material response, then this element deforms an amount NL/AE , where
N is the normal or axial force in the member, caused by the loads. The
virtual-work equation for the truss is therefore
Virtual Work Method for Trusses
Temperature. In some cases, truss members may change their length due to temperature. The
displacement of a selected truss joint due to this temperature change is written as
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Fabrication Errors. Occasionally, errors in fabricating the lengths of the members of a truss may
occur. If a truss member is shorter or longer than intended, the displacement of a truss joint from
its expected position can be determined from
Virtual Work Method for Trusses
Procedure for Analysis
Virtual Forces n
• Place the unit load on the truss at the joint where the desired displacement is to be determined.
The load should be in the same direction as the specified displacement
• With the unit load so placed, and all the real loads removed from the truss, use the method of
joints or the method of sections and calculate the internal n force in each truss member. Assume
that tensile forces are positive and compressive forces are negative.
Real Forces N
• Use the method of sections or the method of joints to determine the N force in each member.
These forces are caused only by the real loads acting on the truss. Again, assume tensile forces are
positive and compressive forces are negative.
Virtual-Work Equation
• Apply the equation of virtual work. It is important to retain the algebraic sign for each of the
corresponding n and N forces when substituting these terms into the equation.
• If the resultant sum is positive, the displacement is in the same direction as the unit load. If a
negative value results, Δ is opposite to the unit load.
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ASSESSMENT TASK
Virtual Work Method
Problems for Practice.
Try solving the following problems for your practice and submit your
solutions if instructed.
1. Determine the vertical displacement of joint D. Use the method of virtual work. AE is
constant. Assume the members are pin connected at their ends.
2. Determine the vertical displacement of joint A (a) if members AB and BC experience a
temperature increase of ΔT = 200°F. Take A = 2 in^2 and E = 29(10^3) ksi. Also, a = 6.60
(10^-6)/°F. (b) if member AE is fabricated 0.5 in. too short. Include the effect of external
forces in both cases.
3-4. Determine the smallest cross-sectional area A required for the members of the truss
shown, so that the horizontal deflection at joint D does not exceed 10 mm.
(3) (4)
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REFERENCES
Hibbeler, R.C., 8th Ed., Structural Analysis, Pearson Prentice Hall,
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 2012.
Kassimali, A., 4th Ed., Structural Analysis, Shortt, C.M., Southern
Illinois University-Carbondale.
