8.

Deflection of Beams
Introduction
In the previous chapters we discussed design of the beams for strength. However, we also need to
consider the deflections of beams in the design process. Excessive deflection of a beam might be
undesirable due to many practical reasons.
Let’s consider a prismatic beam subjected to pure bending, that is, M is constant throughout the
beam. This beam will bend into an arc of circle. Assuming staying within elastic limits, the
curvature of the neutral surface is:
1 𝑀
=
𝜌 𝐸𝐼
where ρ is radius of curvature.
If transverse loading(s) act on the beam, then the moment is no longer constant and is a function
of x: M=M(x)
In this case, the above equation is still valid and we can write:
1 𝑀(𝑥)
=
𝜌 𝐸𝐼
As a result of the variation of M, radius of curvature will also vary along the length of the beam.
Let’s consider some simple cases of M variations, before proceeding to the calculation of
deflections.
Example 1: Cantilever with Loading at the End
Let’s consider a simple loading case. A cantilever beam AB of length L is subjected to a
concentrated load P at its free end.

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We can write the variation of moment as follows. Note that a moment that bends a structure
concave down is negative.
𝑀(𝑥) = −𝑃𝑥
Therefore, the curvature is:
1 −𝑃𝑥
=
𝜌 𝐸𝐼
At point A: x=0 1/𝜌 = 0 → 𝜌𝐴 = ∞
Note that infinite radius of curvature implies a straight line.
1 𝑃𝐿 𝐸𝐼
At point B: x=L =− → 𝜌𝐵 = −
𝜌 𝐸𝐼 𝑃𝐿

In this case, we were able to express M(x) as a single function for the whole beam AB.
Example 2: An overhanging beam with multiple loads.

In this case, drawing the moment diagram might be simpler, as we learned in statics.

In this case, M(x) is expressed separately for the beam segments AB, BC and CD. If needed, we
can define a coordinate axis and define the moment as a piecewise function.
Between AE M(x)>0, the beam is concave upward.

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Between ED M(x)<0, the beam is concave downward.
Largest value of curvature (1/ρ) occurs at point C.

Equation of the Elastic Curve

We need to find a way of correlating the curvature with the deflection of the beam. We can use
our ME 210 knowledge for this purpose. Curvature is defined as:

𝑑2 𝑦
1 𝑑𝑥2
𝜅= = 3
𝜌
𝑑𝑦 2 2
(1 + (𝑑𝑥) )

where y(x) is the curve that defines the deflection of the beam as demonstrated in the below
figure.

Since we are only considering elastic deformations, the associated deflections will be small and
dy/dx << 1. Then the denominator can be approximated as:

𝑑𝑦 2
1+( ) ≈1
𝑑𝑥
and the approximate form of curvature becomes:

1 𝑑2 𝑦
𝜅= ≈ 2
𝜌 𝑑𝑥
Using the relationship between the curvature and the bending moment,

1 𝑀(𝑥)
=
𝜌 𝐸𝐼
We can write:

107
𝑑 2 𝑦 𝑀(𝑥)
=
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼
We obtained a 2nd order differential equation. The product EI is called the flexural rigidity, the
higher this term is, the more resistant a beam will be to a given amount of bending moment. Note
that in the case of a nonuniform beam, flexural rigidity can be a function of x.
For beams with constant cross-section and uniform properties, EI is constant. Then we can
integrate the above equation and obtain:
𝑑𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = ∫ 𝑀(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑐1
𝑑𝑥
Where c1 is the first integration constant. A second integration gives:

𝐸𝐼𝑦 = ∫ (∫ 𝑀(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑐1 ) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑐2

Where c2 is the second integration constant.

𝐸𝐼𝑦(𝑥) = ∬ 𝑀(𝑥)𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑥 + 𝑐1 𝑥 + 𝑐2

c1 and c2 are to be determined from appropriate boundary conditions.

In some designs, the slope of the beam at a specific point is also important. The slope can be
defined in terms of θ, as shown in the below figure.

θ is measured in radians. We can write:

tan θ = dy/dx
For small θ, which is the case for small deflections, the relation becomes:
tan θ ≈ θ(x) ≈ dy/dx
Below are some example cases of beam bending:

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Let’s consider the simply-supported beam:

A B

In this case M(x) is defined piece-wise. For segments AC and CB, we have different expressions
for M(x), and therefore we have different differential equations.
As a result of the integration of M(x) over AC and CB, we will get 4 integration constants. This
means that we need 4 boundary conditions to determine these constants.
2 conditions come from the fact that the supports at points A and B do not allow vertical motion.
Therefore,

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yA = 0, and yB =0
We can obtain the remaining 2 conditions the compatibility condition at C. Compatibility
condition ensures that the beam deflection behaves in a continuous and smooth fashion as it
crosses point C.
𝑦1 (𝑥)|𝑥=𝑥𝑐 = 𝑦2 (𝑥)|𝑥=𝑥𝑐

𝜃1 (𝑥)|𝑥=𝑥𝑐 = 𝜃2 (𝑥)|𝑥=𝑥𝑐

The second condition can be rewritten as:

𝑑𝑦1 𝑑𝑦2
( = )|
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥=𝑥𝑐
In other words, the beam deflection and the beam slope cannot be discontinuous.
Example: Determine the equation of the elastic curve of the below given beam.

We define the x-axis starting from point A, towards B. Consider a section of the beam, AC:

The bending moment at location x is:

𝑀 = −𝑃𝑥
Substitute this to the governing differential equation of the elastic curve:
𝑑2𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = −𝑃𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2
Integrating once:

110
 𝑑𝑦 1
𝐸𝐼 = − 𝑃𝑥 2 + 𝑐1
𝑑𝑥 2
Note that at x = L, dy/dx = 0, since the beam is fixed at point B and cannot rotate there.
Substituting these to the above equation, we obtain the first integration constant:
1
0 = − 𝑃𝐿2 + 𝑐1
2

1 2
𝑐1 = 𝑃𝐿
2
Therefore the differential equation is now:
𝑑𝑦 1 1
𝐸𝐼 = − 𝑃𝑥 2 + 𝑃𝐿2
𝑑𝑥 2 2
Integrate one more time:
1 1
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = − 𝑃𝑥 3 + 𝑃𝐿2 𝑥 + 𝑐2
6 2
Note that at x = L, y = 0, since the beam is fixed at point B and cannot move there. Substituting
these values:
1 1
0 = − 𝑃𝐿3 + 𝑃𝐿3 + 𝑐2
6 2
1
𝑐2 = − 𝑃𝐿3
6
Therefore the deflection of the beam is defined as:
𝑃
𝑦= (−𝑥 3 + 3𝐿2 𝑥 − 2𝐿3 )
6𝐸𝐼
The deflection at the free end of the beam can be obtained by substituting x = 0:
𝑃𝐿3
𝑦=−
3𝐸𝐼
In this case, this is also the maximum deflection over the length of the beam. The negative result
indicates that the deflection is downward.
The slope of the beam can be obtained as follows:
𝑑𝑦 𝑃
𝜃= = (−3𝑥 2 + 3𝐿2 )
𝑑𝑥 6𝐸𝐼

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Example:

P=wL/ 5 w

B
A C

L
L/2

a) Determine the equation of the elastic curve for segment BC.

b) Deflection at the midpoint of BC.
c) Slope at B

P=wL/ 5 w

B
A C

RB RC

First, write the equilibrium equations:

∑ 𝑀𝑐 = 0

𝑤𝐿 3𝐿 𝐿
× + 𝑤𝐿 × − 𝑅𝐵 × 𝐿 = 0
5 2 2
4
𝑅𝐵 = 𝑤𝐿
5

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∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

𝑤𝐿
−𝑤𝐿 − + 𝑅𝐵 − 𝑅𝐶 = 0
5
Substituting for RB:
2
𝑅𝑐 = 𝑤𝐿
5
Now define x-axis such that it starts from B and moves towards C.

P=wL/ 5 w

B
A M
j V
x
RB

∑ 𝑀𝑗 = 0

𝑤𝑙 𝐿 4 𝑥
× ( + 𝑥) − 𝑤𝐿𝑥 + (𝑤𝑥) + 𝑀 = 0
5 2 5 2
3 1 1
𝑀= 𝑤𝐿𝑥 − 𝑤𝑥 2 − 𝑤𝐿2
5 2 10
Now that we determined M as a function of known variables, we can proceed with the elastic
curve equation:
𝑑2𝑦 3 1 1
𝐸𝐼 2
= 𝑤𝐿𝑥 − 𝑤𝑥 2 − 𝑤𝐿2
𝑑𝑥 5 2 10
𝑑𝑦 3 1 1
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑤𝐿𝑥 2 − 𝑤𝑥 3 − 𝑤𝐿2 𝑥 + 𝑐1
𝑑𝑥 10 6 10
1 1 1
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑤𝐿𝑥 3 − 𝑤𝑥 4 − 𝑤𝐿2 𝑥 2 + 𝑐1 𝑥 + 𝑐2
10 24 20
Apply the boundary conditions:
𝑥 = 0 , 𝑦 = 0 → 𝑐2 = 0

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 1 1 1 1
𝑥 = 𝐿 ,𝑦 = 0 → 0 = 𝑤𝐿4 − 𝑤𝐿4 − 𝑤𝐿4 + 𝑐1 𝐿 + 0 → 𝑐1 = − 𝑤𝐿3
10 24 20 120
a) Elastic curve is:
𝑤 1 1 1 1 3
𝑦(𝑥) = ( 𝐿𝑥 3 − 𝑥 4 − 𝐿2 𝑥 2 − 𝐿 𝑥)
𝐸𝐼 10 24 20 120
The slope is:
𝑑𝑦 𝑤 3 1 1 2 1 3
= ( 𝐿𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3 − 𝐿 𝑥− 𝐿)
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼 10 6 10 120
b) Deflection at the midpoint:
𝐿 13𝑤𝐿4
𝑦 (𝑥 = ) = − 𝐸𝐼
2 1920
c) Slope at B:
𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝐿3
(𝑥 = 0) = − = 𝜃𝐵
𝑑𝑥 120𝐸𝐼

Direct Determination of the Elastic Curve from the Load Distribution

Now we will show that we can derive the elastic curve directly from the load distribution.
𝑑2𝑦 𝑀(𝑥)
Previously, we obtained the following: =
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼

Assuming constant EI, differentiate the above equation and note that the derivative of bending
moment is shear force.
𝑑3𝑦 1 𝑑𝑀(𝑥) 1
3
= = 𝑉(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
Differentiate further, noting that the derivative of shear force is distributed load, w.
𝑑4𝑦 1 𝑑𝑉(𝑥) 1
4
= = − 𝑤(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
Therefore, the elastic curve of the beam is related to the load distribution on the beam, w(x),
through a fourth order linear differential equation.
𝑑4𝑦 𝑤(𝑥)
4
=−
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
We can rewrite the differential equation as:
𝑑4𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = −𝑤(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 4
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Integration of above equation four times gives:
𝑑3𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑉(𝑥) = − ∫ 𝑤(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑐1
𝑑𝑥 3
𝑑2𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑀(𝑥) = − ∫ ∫ 𝑤(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑐1 𝑥 + 𝑐2
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦 𝑐1 𝑥 2
𝐸𝐼 = 𝐸𝐼𝜃(𝑥) = − ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑤(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + + 𝑐2 𝑥 + 𝑐3
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑐1 𝑥 3 𝑐2 𝑥 2
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = − ∫ ∫ ∫ ∫ 𝑤(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + + + 𝑐3 𝑥 + 𝑐4
6 2
where c1, c2, c3, c4 are for integration constants.
Therefore, in this case, we need four boundary conditions.
Two examples are given below, with the boundary conditions needed for the determination of
these constants.

115
Taken from Beer and Johnston, Mechanics of Materials, 6th Edition

116
Statically Indeterminate Beams
Consider the below example. By using the principles of statics, we cannot determine the reaction
force at the support B. Therefore, this is a statically indeterminate problem.

We have 4 unknowns: Ax, Ay, MA, B

We can write the equilibrium equations.

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 , ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 , ∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0

We need one more equation. We can use the elastic beam equation for this purpose:
𝑑2𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑀(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑥 𝑥

𝐸𝐼𝑦 = ∫ ∫ 𝑀(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑐1 𝑥 + 𝑐2
0 0

Now there are 4 unknowns + 2 integration constants => 6 unknowns. We had 3 equations from
equilibrium. We need 3 more equations. For this we can use the following boundary conditions:
𝑑𝑦
𝑥=0 =0
𝑑𝑥
{𝑥 = 0 𝑦=0
𝑥=𝐿 𝑦=0

117
Taken from Beer and Johnston, Mechanics of Materials, 6th Edition

118
Method of Superposition
Total displacement = Σ displacements due to individual loadings.
Total rotation = Σ rotations due to individual loadings.
The method of superposition works quite well, because the deflections that we are considering in
the elastic regime are small, and they do not change the geometry of the beam considerably.
Therefore, the deflections caused by each type of load can be treated separately and then added
up.

119
Beam Deflection Formulas
The below table is very useful, especially for the implementation of the superposition approach.

120