Faculty of Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

21MECH01I Structure Mechanics
Semester 1, 2021/2022

Tutorial 4: Deflection of Beams and Shafts

Q1] A picture is taken of a man performing a pole vault, and the minimum radius of curvature of the pole is
estimated by measurement to be 4.5 𝑚. If the pole is 40 𝑚𝑚 in diameter and it is made of a glass-
reinforced plastic for which 𝐸 = 131 𝐺𝑃𝑎, determine the maximum bending stress in the pole.

Ans:
𝜎 = 582 𝑀𝑃𝑎

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Q2] Draw the bending-moment diagram for the shaft and then, from this diagram, sketch the elastic curve
for the shaft’s centreline. Determine the equations of the elastic curve, by the integration method, using
the coordinates 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 . 𝐸𝐼 is constant.

Ans:
1
𝑣1 = (150𝑥12 − 85𝑥1 + 9.375)
𝐸𝐼
1
𝑣2 = (125𝑥23 − 20𝑥2 )
𝐸𝐼

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Q3] The simply supported wood beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶 in the figure below has the rectangular cross section shown. The
beam supports a concentrated load of 300 𝑁 located 2 𝑚 from the left support. Determine, by the
integration method the maximum displacement and the maximum slope angle of the beam. Use 𝐸 =
12 𝐺𝑃𝑎 for the modulus of elasticity. Neglect the weight of the beam. (Note that the reactions at 𝐴 and
𝐶 have already been computed by equilibrium analysis.)

Ans:
𝑣 ′ (𝐴𝐵) = (2.441 𝑥 2 − 6.510) × 10−3
𝑣 (𝐴𝐵) = (0.8138 𝑥 3 − 6.510𝑥) × 10−3 𝑚
𝑣 ′ (𝐵𝐶) = (2.441 𝑥 2 − 7.324 (𝑥 − 2)2 − 6.510) × 10−3
𝑣 (𝐵𝐶) = (0.8138 𝑥 3 − 2.441 (𝑥 − 2)2 − 6.510𝑥) × 10−3 𝑚
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 7.09 𝑚𝑚 ↓
𝑣 ′ 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.487° ⤺

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Q4] Determine the elastic curve for the cantilevered 𝑊360 × 45 beam using the 𝑥 coordinate. Specify the
maximum slope and deflection, by the integration method. 𝐸 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎 and 𝐼 = 121 × 106 𝑚𝑚4

Ans:
𝜃𝑚𝑎𝑥 = −0.29°
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = −10.07 𝑚𝑚

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Q5] For the beam and loading shown, using the discontinuity functions, determine (a) the equation of the
elastic curve, (b) the slope at end 𝐴, (c) the deflection of point 𝐶. Assume that flexural rigidity 𝐸𝐼 is constant.

Ans:
𝑀𝑜
𝑣= {𝑥 3 − 3𝐿〈𝑥 − 𝑎〉2 + (3𝑏 2 − 𝐿2 )𝑥}
6𝐸𝐼𝐿
𝑀𝑜
𝜃𝐴 = (3𝑏 2 − 𝐿2 )
6𝐸𝐼𝐿
𝑀𝑜 𝑎𝑏
𝑣𝑐 = (𝑏 − 𝑎) ↑
3𝐸𝐼𝐿

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Q6] Using the discontinuity functions, determine the maximum deflection in region 𝐴𝐵 of the overhang
beam. 𝐸 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎 and 𝐼 = 84.9 × 10−6 𝑚4.

Ans:
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.0021 𝑚 = 2.1 𝑚𝑚 ↑

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Q7] The cantilever beam 𝐴𝐵 of length L is loaded by the force 𝑃 and the couple 𝑀0 . Using the superposition
method Determine 𝑀𝑜 in terms of 𝑃 and 𝐿 so that the slope of the elastic curve at 𝐴 is zero.

Ans:
𝑃𝐿
𝑀𝑜 =
8

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Q8] Using the superposition method, find the vertical displacement of point 𝐶 of the frame 𝐴𝐵𝐶. The cross-
sectional moments of inertia are 2𝐼0 for segment 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐼0 for segment 𝐵𝐶.

Ans:
5 𝑤𝑜 𝑎4
𝛿𝑐 = ↓
8 𝐸𝐼𝑜

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Q9] Using the superposition method, determine the slope at 𝐵 and the deflection at point 𝐶 of the simply
supported beam. 𝐸 = 200 𝐺𝑃𝑎 and 𝐼 = 45.5 × 10−6 𝑚4.

Ans:
𝜃𝐵 = 0.00722 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝑣𝐶 = 13.2 𝑚𝑚 ↓

END OF TUTORIAL PROBLEMS

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