INSA Rouen Dépt.

Méca

Exercise TD1:
variational formulation for a bending beam problem

Description
Let us consider an elastic straight and homogeneous beam xed at its two extremities and sub-
jected to a lineic density of transverse forces f (x).
We have the following known parameters:
• L length of the beam

• S(x) section of the beam

• ρ volume density of the material constituting the beam

• E Young modulus of the material constituting the beam

• I(x) the inertial moment of the beam

The boundary conditions are
• static: the lineic transverse force f (x)

• kinematic: the xing conditions at the extremities

We adopt the Bernouilli hypothesis according to which any section S(x) of the beam remains
straight and perpendicular to the neutral ber of the beam.
The problem can thus be restricted to the search of the solution u(x) which is the transverse dis-
placement of any point of the beam at the position x.

1 Question 1: the continuous problem

In this question, the aim is to establish the comprehensive mathematical formulation of the prob-
lem to solve.

1.1 Sketch of the whole beam

Let us consider an 3D orthonormal framework (O, x1 , x2 , x3 ) with unit vectors (e1 , e2 , e3 ).
The beam is aligned along the axis (O, x1 ) (and as a consequence x = x1 ) and is located such that
x ∈ [0, L].
The transverse force is exerted in the direction x2 .
Draw a sketch (a schema) of the beam corresponding to the description and featuring both the
physical parameters (S, L,. . . ) and the boundary conditions.

1.2 Mathematical formulation of the boundary conditions

Write the mathematical formulation of the boundary conditions in terms of u(x).

F. Barbe Course MVAR Page 1

INSA Rouen Dépt. Méca

1.3 Mathematical formulation of the balance equation

Let us consider a portion of the beam in between positions x and x + dx along the neutral ber,
where dx is an innitesimal length.
Let us further note T(x) and M(x) respectively the shear force and the bending moment exerted
on the section at x.
dx being innitesimal, we will consider that T(x+dx) = T(x)+dT and M(x+dx) = M(x)+dM
where dT and dM are innitesimal variations over T(x) and M(x) (resp.).

1.3.1 Sketch of the beam portion

Draw a sketch (a schema) of the beam portion featuring the exerted forces and moments.

1.3.2 Forces equilibrium

Show that the balance (equilibrium) equation of the forces projected along the axis (O, x2 ) is

d
(T (x)) − f (x) = 0 ∀x ∈]0, L[
dx

1.3.3 Moments equilibrium

Show that the balance (equilibrium) equation of the moments projected along the axis (O, x3 ) is

d
(M (x)) + T (x) = 0 ∀x ∈]0, L[
dx

1.3.4 Constitutive relation

Let us note I the inertial moment of the beam with respect to the axis (O, x3 ). By denition:
∫
I(x) = y 2 dS
S(x)

In the conditions of the study, we will adopt the following result:

d2 u
M (x) = E · I(x) ·
dx2

1.3.5 Collecting balance equations and constitutive relation

Let us consider the particular case where S is uniform (independent on x).
From the balance equations and the constitutive relation, show that the one and single balance
equation of which u(x) is solution at any point x is

d4 u
−E · I · = f (x) ∀x ∈]0, L[
dx4

F. Barbe Course MVAR Page 2

INSA Rouen Dépt. Méca

2 Question 2: variational formulation

Let us accept that u(x) is the solution of the following continuous problem (CP):

 Find u regular form, solution of:

d4 u
(CP) −E · I · = f (x) ∀x ∈]0, L[ (1)

 dx4
with u(0) = u(L) = 0, du dx
(0) = du
dx
(L) = 0, and f a given function
Let V be the space of Kinematically Admissible (K.A.) displacement elds which are “sufciently
regular”:
V = v(x), regular, v(x) is K.A. 
dv dv
V = v(x), regular, v(0) = v(L) = (0) = (L) = 0
dx dx
Show that a variational displacement formulation of (CP) can be written:

 Find u ∫∈ V, solution of: ∫ L
(VP) L 2
d u d2 v (2)
 E·I · 2
· 2 · dx + f · v · dx = 0 ∀v ∈ V
0 dx dx 0

3 Question 3: properties of regularity of u and v

Let us consider that the input f (x) ∈ L2 ([0, L])
L
where L2 ([0, L]) = f :]0, L[−→ R, 0 f 2 dx < ∞

What are the sufcient conditions to ensure the convergence of the integrals in (VP)?
L
−→ (1) What conditions to ensure 0 f vdx < ∞ ?
 L 2 d2 v
−→ (2) What conditions to ensure 0 ddxu2 dx 2 dx < ∞ ?

To address these questions, we will rely on the Cauchy-Schwartz inequality which states that,
g and h being two integrable functions over ]0, L[,
∣∫ ∣ ∫ [∫ ] 12 [∫ ] 12
∣ L ∣ L L L
∣ ∣
g · h · dx∣ ≤ g · h · dx ≤ 2
g dx · 2
h dx
∣
0 0 0 0

First we will prove this inequality.

Then we will use it to nd the conditions of convergence of the integrals in (VP).

4 Question 3: minimization problem

Show that the variational problem VP is equivalent to the minimization problem MP dened by


 Find u ∈ V, solution of:

 J(u) = min J(v)
(MP) v∈V
∫ L ( 2 )2 ∫ L (3)

 EI d v

 where J(v) = · · dx + f · v · dx
2 0 dx2 0

F. Barbe Course MVAR Page 3

INSA Rouen Dépt. Méca

Exercise TD2:
norms of a vector space
Let us recall the properties that a map should respect to be considered as a norm:
a norm over a vector space E is any map .E : E −→ R+ such that

xE ≥ 0 ∀x ∈ E
λxE = λ · xE ∀x ∈ E, ∀λ ∈ R
xE = 0 ⇔ x = 0
x + yE ≤ xE + yE ∀x, y ∈ E

Show that the following maps .∞ and .2 dened ∀f ∈ C 0 ([a, b]) by
(∫ b ) 12
f ∞ = max f (x) and f 2 = 2
f dx
x∈[a,b] a

are two norms over the space C 0 ([a, b]).

F. Barbe Course MVAR Page 4