3.

BUILT – IN AND STATICALLY INDETERMINATE BEAMS

3.1 Introduction
A built – in or encastred beam is one in which the ends are rigidly fixed in a horizontal
position, usually at the same level.
The walls or other constraints at the ends exert moments on the beam to hold the ends
horizontal. In cases where these fixing moments are not equal, a resultant moment is applied to
the beam, which is opposed by reactions at the ends. These reactions in addition to those required
for equilibrium of the load system, hence the total reactions are different from those in simply
supported beams with similar loading.

MA A B
MB
X Y

RA RB

Figure 3.1: Free body diagram of a built – in beam

The shape of the beam will generally be as shown in Figure 3.1, with points of inflexion being X
and Y. At these points BM is zero.
The BM diagram will consist of:
a) The positive BM due to the end fixing moments, varying linearly from MA at one end to
MB at the other.
b) The negative BM due to transverse loads, calculated as if the beam were simply
supported at the ends. These are shown in Figure 3.2.
It is usual to combine the two BM diagrams to obtain the resultant BM diagram as shown in
Figure 3.3.

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 MB
MA
Positive BM due to the end moments

Negative BM due to transverse loads

Figure 3.2: Positive & Negative BM due to end moments and transverse loads respectively

+Ve
+Ve

-Ve

Figure 3.3: Resultant BM diagram

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3.2 Built – in beam with central concentrated load
Figure 3.4 shows the central concentrated loaded beam and Figures 3.5 and 3.6 are the
corresponding SF and BM diagrams respectively.
Due to the symmetry of the loading, the reactions are each equal to P/2 and the fixings moments
are equal in magnitude.

L/2 P

M A B
M
x

L
P/2 P/2

Figure 3.4: Built – in beam with central concentrated load

SF

Figure 3.5: Shear force diagram

BM

Figure 3.6: Bending moment diagram

Taking the origin at the centre,

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 ( )
2
d y −P L
EI . 2
= −x + M
dx 2 2

∴ EI .
dy −P L
dx
=
2 2 [
x2
. x− + Mx +C 1
2 ]
dy
But when, x = 0, =0 hence, C1 = 0
dx
dy PL
Also, when, x=L/ 2, =0, hence M =
dx 8

⟹ EI .
dy −P Lx x 2 PL
dx
=
2 2
− +
2 8
x [ ]
∴ EI . y =
2 4 [
−P L x 2 x 3 PL 2
− +
6 16 ]
x + C2

When x=L/2, y = 0, hence, C 2=P L3 /192

⟹ EI . y=P −[
L3 L x 2 x 3
192 16 12
+ ]
The maximum deflection occurs at the centre of the beam, when x = 0, hence;
3
PL
y max =
192 EI

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3.3 Built – in beam with uniformly distributed load
Figure 3.7 shows the free body diagram of a built - in beam loaded with a UDL and Figures 3.8
and 3.9 are the corresponding shear force and bending moment diagrams respectively.

A /unit length B
M M

L/2 x

Figure 3.7: Built – in beam loaded with UDL

SF
L/2

Figure 3.8: Shear force diagram for built – in beam with UDL

M M

BM

Figure 3.9: Bending moment diagram for a built – in beam with UDL

Due to the symmetry of the loading, the reactions are each equal to ωL /2 and the end fixing
moments are equal in magnitude.
Taking the centre of the beam as the origin;

d 2 y −ωL L
[ ] ( )
2
ω L
EI . = −x + −x + M
d x2 2 2 2 2

¿−
2 4[
ω L2 2
−x + M ]
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∴ EI .
dy −ω L2
dx
=
2 4 [
x3
x − + Mx+C1
3 ]
dy
When x = 0, =0, so C1 = 0
dx
2
dy
When x=L/2, =0, so M = ω L
dx 12

⟹ EI .
dy −ω L2
dx
=
2 4 [x 3 ω L2
x− +
3 12
x ]
∴ EI . y =
2 8[
−ω L2 2 x 4 ω L2 2
x−
12
+
24 ]
x +C2

ω L4
When x = L/2, y = 0, hence, C 2=
384

∴ EI . y =ω [ L 4 L2 x 2 x 4
384
−
48 24
+ ]
The maximum deflection occurs at the centre, when x = 0, hence;
4
ωL
y max =
384 EI
3.4 Built – in beam with concentrated load not at centre
Let the distances of the load, P, from the ends A and B be a and b respectively as shown in
Figure 3.10.

P
a b

MA A B
MB
x

L
RA RB

Figure 3.10: Built – in beam with concentrated load not at centre

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 RB

SF
RA

Figure 3.11: Shear force diagram for a built – in beam with a non-central concentrated load

MA
MB

Figure 3.12: Bending moment diagram for a built – in beam with a non – central concentrated load

Pb Pa
Since the end fixing moments are un – equal, the reactions at A and B will not be and
L L
respectively, as the case for a simply supported beam.
Taking the origin at fixed support A, and using Macaulay’s method;
2
d y
EI . 2
=−R A x + P [ x −a ] + M A
dx

Hence,

dy x2 P 2
EI . =−R A + [ x−a ] + M A x +C 1
dx 2 2
dy
When x = 0, =0, hence, C 1=0, since [x – a] is negative for this value of x.
dx

x3 P 3 x2
⟹ EI . y=−R A . + [ x−a ] + M A . +C 2
6 6 2
dy
When x = L, =0, hence,
dx

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 2
L P( 2
0=−R A . + L−a ) + M A L ………………………………..(3.1)
2 2
When x = L, y = 0, hence;

L3 P ( 3 L2
0=−R A . + L−a ) + M A . ……………………………..(3.2)
6 6 2
Solving equations (3.1) and (3.2) simultaneously leads to;

P b2 Pa b2
RA= ( L+2 b) M
and A =
L3 L2
By symmetry of the free body diagram, it can be concluded that;
2 2
Pa Pa b
R B= 3
( L+2 b) and M B = 2
L L
Note
By symmetry,
MA b
= [Recall your concepts of MEC1102]
MB a

Substituting values of MA and RA gives;

−P b2 ( x3 P 3 Pa b
2
x2
EI . y= L+2 a ) + [ x−a ] + .
L3 6 6 L2 2
The deflection at the point of application of the load, i.e. at x = a is;

−P b2 a3 P a3 b2
EI . y= ( L+2 a ) +
L
3
6 2L
2

3 3
Pa b
⟹ y= 3
3 EI L
The maximum deflection will occur between the load point and the centre of the beam. If a > b,
dy
this point will correspond to x < a, and it is determined by setting, =0, neglecting the
dx
Macaulay term for this case.

P b3 x 2 Pa b2
⟹− ( L+2 a ) + 2 x=0
L3 2 L
2 aL
∴ x=
L+2 a

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Hence,

(
−P b ( L+2 a ) 2 aL
) ( )
2 3 2 2
Pa b 2 aL
EI . y max = +
L
3
6 L+ 2a 2 L L+2 a
2

2 P a3 b2
∴ y max=
3 EI ( L+2 a )2

3.5 Statically indeterminate beams

These are beams where the number of unknown reactions exceeds the number of equilibrium
equations available. In this case, it is necessary to supplement the equilibrium equations with
additional equations stemming from deformations of the beam.
3.5.1 Types of statically indeterminate beams
There are several types of indeterminate beams. The following are the four of the common
examples of statically indeterminate beams.
(a) Supported cantilever

P
M1

R1 R2

Figure 3.13: Supported cantilever

In this case, we have unknown reactions, R 1, R2 and M1 (end fixing moment). The two static
equations must be supplemented by one equation based upon deformations.
(b) Cantilever with spring – like support at the other end

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 P
M1

R1
R2

Figure 3.14: Cantilever with spring – like support

In this case of a simple linear spring, the flexible support exerts a force proportional to the
beam deflection at that point. The unknown reactions are again R1, R2 and M1. The two static
equations must be supplemented by one equation stemming from deflection.
(c) Beam clamped at both ends
/unit length
M1 M2

R1 R2

Figure 3.15: Beam clamped at both sides

In this case the unknowns are R1, R2, M1 and M2. The two static equations must be
supplemented by two equations arising from the deformations.
(d) Beam supported on three supports at the same level
P P

R1 R2 R3

Figure 3.16: Beam supported on three supports at the same level

The unknowns are R1, R2 and R3. The two static equations must be supplemented by one
equation based upon deformations. A beam of this type that rests on more than two supports
is called a continuous beam.

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Examples 3.1
Question 1
(a) A beam is clamped at A, simply supported at B and subjected to a concentrated load, P as
shown in Figure 3.17. By first deriving a general deflection equation of the beam together
with equilibrium equations, determine all reactions and end fixing moment.
Pb 2 2 P a2 Pb 2 2
[Ans: R1= 3
(3 L −b ) , R 2 = 3
(2 L+b) and M 1= 2 (L −b )]
2L 2L 2L
P

M1

a b
R1 R2
L

Figure 3.17: Examples 3.1 – Question 1

(b) Repeat question 1 (a) above using only the fundamental equations derived using the direct
integration method (Refer to Table 1.2)
Question 2
The beam in Figure 3.18 is clamped at A, spring supported at B and loaded by the UDL, ω per
unit length. Prior to application of the load, the spring is stress free. The spring constant is 345
kN/m. To determine the flexural rigidity, EI of the beam, an experiment is conducted without the
uniform load, ω, and also without the spring being present. In this experiment, it is found that a
vertical force of 10000 N applied at ends, B, deflects that point by 50 mm. The spring is then
attached to the beam at B and a uniform load of magnitude 5 kN/m is applied between A and B
as shown. Determine the deflection of point B under these conditions.
[Ans: 10.3 mm]

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 /unit length

B
MA A

RA
RB
L=3m

Figure 3.18: Examples 3.1 – Question 2

Question 3
(a) The beam of flexural rigidity, EI, shown in Figure 3.19 is clamped at both ends and subjected
to a uniformly distributed load extending along region BC of length 0.6L. Determine all
reactions and end fixing moments.
[Ans R A =0.1512 ωL, M A =0.0396 ω L2, RC =0.4488 ωL and M C =0.0684 ω L2]
/unit length
A B C
0.4L 0.6L

Figure 3.19: Examples 3.1 – Question 3

(b) If EI =1.8 ×10−7 Nm2, L = 10 m, and ω=10 kN/m, determine the deflection midway
between B and C. [Ans: 55.68 mm]

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