338 CHAPTER 8 DEFLECTIONS

CHAPTER REVIEW
The deflection of a member (or structure) can always
be established provided the moment diagram is P1
known, because positive moment will tend to bend the
member concave upwards, and negative moment
will tend to bend the member concave downwards.
Likewise, the general shape of the moment diagram
can be determined if the deflection curve is known. P2
beam

inflection point

deflection curve

moment diagram

Deflection of a beam due to bending can be v1,v2

P
determined by using double integration of the
equation. a b

8 d2v M v
= x1 u
dx2 EI
x2
Here the internal moment M must be expressed as a
function of the x coordinates that extend across the
beam. The constants of integration are obtained from
the boundary conditions, such as zero deflection at a
pin or roller support and zero deflection and slope at a
fixed support. If several x coordinates are necessary,
then the continuity of slope and deflection must be
considered, where at x1 = x2 = a, u1(a) = u2(a) and
v1(a) = v2(a).
 CHAPTER REVIEW 339

If the moment diagram has a simple shape, the moment-area theorems or the conjugate beam method can be used to
determine the deflection and slope at a point on the beam.
The moment-area theorems consider the angles and vertical deviation between the tangents at two points A and B
on the elastic curve. The change in slope is found from the area under the M/EI diagram between the two points, and the
deviation is determined from the moment of the M/EI diagram area about the point where the deviation occurs.

w A B
uB/A
tan B tan A
A B
uB/A  Area of M/EI diagram

M
___ A
EI Area B
tA/B tB/A
tan A
tan B
x
A B _
_ tA/B  x (Area of M/EI diagram)
x

The conjugate beam method is very methodical and requires application of the principles of statics. Quite simply, one
establishes the conjugate beam using Table 8–2, then considers the loading as the M/EI diagram. The slope (deflection) at
a point on the real beam is then equal to the shear (moment) at the same point on the conjugate beam.

M
___
EI
w 8

A B A¿ B¿

L L
real beam conjugate beam