CE 311 - Theory of Structures

Conjugate-Beam Method

Engr. Saque J. Amilbahar

Instructor

All images are CTTO.

This material is a compilation.
For educational purposes only. 1
Flow of Topics

1. About Conjugate-Beam Method

2. What is a Conjugate Beam?
3. Common Conjugate Beams
3. Conjugate-Beam Method

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Facts About Conjugate-Beam Method
1. developed by Otto Mohr in 1868
2. more convenient for computing slopes and deflections
3. sytematic sign convention
4. does not require sketching the elastic curve
5. uses the relationships among loads, shears, bending moments,
M/EI, slopes and deflections
6. applies the M/EI diagram as a load to a fictitious beam
7. the fictitious beam is referred to as conjugate beam.

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What is Conjugate Beam?

“A conjugate beam which corresponds to a real beam is a

fictitious beam of the same length as the real beam, but is
externally supported and internally connected such that if the
conjugate beam is loaded with the M/EI diagram of the real
beam, the shear and bending moment at any point on the
conjugate beam are equal, respectively, to the slope and
deflection at the corresponding point on the real beam.”

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What is then Conjugate-Beam Method?

In short.....

Conjugate-beam method involves computing the slopes and

deflections of beams by computing the shears and bending
moments in the corresponding conjugate beam, loaded with
M/EI diagram...

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Relationship Review

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Slope and Deflection using CBM
Then, how to get slopes and deflections...

The shear and bending moment at any point on the conjugate

beam must be consistent with the slope and deflection at that
point in the real beam.

Thus we must convert the real beam into its conjugate beam...

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Real to Conjugate Beam

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Sign Convention
Diagramatically:

Positive values of:

+ M/EI (upward) Slope

Conjugate Beam Deflection

Negative values of:

- M/EI (downward) Slope

Conjugate Beam
Deflection

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Common Conjugate Beams

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Procedures of Analysis
We can follow the step-by-step procedure below for the method:
1. Construct the M/EI diagram for the given real beam.
If loads are complicated, employ moment diagram by parts.
2. Determine the conjugate beam corresponding the real beam. Check
for consistency (slope and deflection must consistent to the real beam).
3. Apply the M/EI diagram (from step 1) as the load of the conjugate beam.
The positive ordinates of the M/EI are applied as upward loads on the
conjugate beam and vice versa.
4. Calculate the reactions at the supports of the conjugate beam by
applying the equations of equilibrium and conditions (if any).

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Procedures of Analysis (continuation)
5. Determine the shears at those points on the conjugate beam where the
slopes are desired on the real beam. Determine the bending moments at
those points on the conjugate beam where deflections are desired on the
real beam. (follow the sign convention)

6. The slope at a point on the real beam with respect to the undeformed axis of
the real beam is equal to the shear at that point on the conjugate beam.

7. The deflection at a point on the real beam with respect to the undeformed
axis of the real beam is equal to the bending moment in the conjugate beam.

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Example 1.
Determine the slope and deflection at point B
of the steel beam shown on the right. The
reactions have been computed. E = 29(103) ksi,
I = 800 in4. real beam
Solution:
First draw the moment diagram.
Second find the conjugate beam appropriate. V
Third, load the moment diagram to the
conjugate beam. M/EI

The conjugate beam is shown on the right - moment

75/EI
diagram. The 15 ft supports at A’ and B’
correspond to supports A and B on the real
beam (see chart on real and conjugate beam).
It is important to understand why this is so. The
M/EI diagram is negative.
loaded conjugate beam 13
Example 1. (continuation)
Consider the equilibrium of the conjugate beam.

Since θB and ∆B are to be determined, we must

compute VB’ and MB’ in the conjugate beam, see loaded conjugate beam
the middle diagram.

reactions conjugate beam

= 0.00349 rad

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Example 1. (continuation)
Consider the equilibrium of the conjugate beam.

Now for ∆B .
loaded conjugate beam

reactions conjugate beam

= 1.05 in.

Guys, answer must in correct units and directions.

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Example 2.
Determine the maximum deflection of the
steel beam shown in the right figure. The
reactions have been computed with E = 200 real beam
GPa, and I = 60(106)mm4.
Solution:
First draw the moment diagram. V
Second find the conjugate beam appropriate. 18/EI
Third, load the moment diagram to the
conjugate beam. + moment
M/EI
The conjugate beam loaded with the M/EI
diagram is shown in the bottom diagram. Since
the M/EI diagram is positive, the distributed
load acts upward.

Guys, take note of the loading of M/EI

.
loaded conjugate beam 16
Example 2. (continuation)
Consider the equilibrium of the conjugate beam.

Compute now for reactions of the loaded

conjugate beam. Maximum deflection of the
real beam occurs at the point where the slope
of the beam is zero. This corresponds to the loaded conjugate beam
same point in the conjugate beam where the
shear is zero. Now let us cut as shown below:

reactions conjugate beam

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Example 2. (continuation)
Using the value of x,

the maximum deflection in the real beam

correponding to the moment M’, we have:

(Try using your usual cut procedures-discover)

= 16.8 mm
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Example 3.
Determine the slope and deflection at point B
of the beam shown on the right by conjugate
beam method. EI = constant. M

L
Solution: real beam
First draw the moment diagram.
M/EI
Second find the conjugate beam appropriate.
Third, load the moment diagram to the + moment
conjugate beam. M/EI

The conjugate beam loaded with the M/EI

diagram is shown in the bottom diagram. Since
the M/EI diagram is positive, the distributed
load acts upward. A B

loaded conjugate beam

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Example 3. (continuation)
You can now compute for the reactions of the
loaded conjugate beam... but wait...
A B
Note that the shear at B and moment at B
corresponds directly to the slope and deflection
at that point. loaded conjugate beam

We will now determine the shear at B (we will

denote shear at B as SB , if you cannot visualize
try cutting the section. M
neutral axis
L
real beam elastic curve (red)

o B
n tt
e
ta ng

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Example 4. (intended for self study)
Using conjugate beam method, determine the
deflection at point C of the beam shown on the
right. EI = constant. real beam

Solution:
First draw the moment diagram.
(since the diagram can be so complicated try
digram the moment using superposition method,
recall moment diagramming by parts.

Second find the conjugate beam appropriate.

Third, load the moment diagram to the
conjugate beam. (on the next slide)

M/EI diagram (by parts)

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Example 4. (continuation)
Find the reactions of the loaded conjugate
beam. Find first reaction at A since it is to the
left of C (why - focus on this one...)

M/EI diagram (by parts)

Deflection at C on the real beam is equal to the

bending moment at C in the conjugate beam.

loaded conjugate beam 22

Example 4. (continuation)
Deflection at C can now be:

Same result as of that of the moment-area

method.

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THANK YOU

All images are CTTO.

This material is a compilation.
For educational purposes only. 24