3/15/2018

VIRTUAL WORK
TRUSS DEFLECTIONS USING VIRTUAL WORK

Procedure for analysis on computing the truss deflections

using virtual work:
1. Calculate the real forces in the members of the truss
either by method of joints or by method of sections due to
externally applied forces. From this, determine the actual
deformation (D) in each member from the equation PL/AE.
Assume tensile forces as positive and compressive forces
as negative.

VIRTUAL WORK
TRUSS DEFLECTIONS USING VIRTUAL WORK

Procedure for analysis on computing the truss deflections

using virtual work:
2. Now consider the virtual load system such that only a unit
load is considered at the joint either in the horizontal or in
the vertical direction, where the deflection is sought.
Calculate virtual forces (dP) in each member due to the
applied unit load at the sought joint.
3. Now, using the equation below, evaluate the sought joint
deflection, u.
u = S(dP)D

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VIRTUAL WORK
TRUSS DEFLECTIONS USING VIRTUAL WORK

Procedure for analysis on computing the truss deflections

using virtual work:
4. If the deflection of a joint needs to be calculated, due to
temperature change, determine the actual deformation (DT)
in each member from the equation DT = aTL.

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 1

Find the horizontal and vertical deflection of joint C of truss
ABCD loaded as shown. Assume that all members have the
same axial rigidity.
10 kN

B C
5 kN

4m

A D

4m

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VIRTUAL WORK
BEAM SLOPES AND DEFLECTIONS USING
VIRTUAL WORK
VIRTUAL WORK EQUATIONS
• Virtual Work Equation for Displacement:
L
∫
mM
1·D = dx
0 EI

• Virtual Work Equation for Slope:

L
∫
mqM
1·q = dx
0 EI

VIRTUAL WORK
BEAM SLOPES AND DEFLECTIONS USING
VIRTUAL WORK
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
using virtual work:
• Virtual Moments m or mq

1. Place a unit load on the beam or frame at the point and

in the direction of the desired displacement.
2. If the slope is to be determined, place a unit couple
moment at the point.
3. Establish appropriate x coordinates that are valid within
regions of the beam or frame where there is no
discontinuity of real or virtual load.

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VIRTUAL WORK
BEAM SLOPES AND DEFLECTIONS USING
VIRTUAL WORK
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
using virtual work:
• Virtual Moments m or mq

4. Assume m or mq acts in the conventional positive

direction of moment.

VIRTUAL WORK
BEAM SLOPES AND DEFLECTIONS USING
VIRTUAL WORK
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
using virtual work:
• Real Moments

1. Using the same x coordinates as those established for m

or mq, determine the internal moments M caused only by
the real loads.

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VIRTUAL WORK
BEAM SLOPES AND DEFLECTIONS USING
VIRTUAL WORK
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
using virtual work:
• Real Moments

2. Since or mq was assumed to act in the conventional

positive direction it is important that positive M acts in this
same direction. This is necessary since positive or negative
internal work depends upon the directional sense of load
(defined by ±m or ±mq) and displacement (defined by ±M
dx/EI).

VIRTUAL WORK
BEAM SLOPES AND DEFLECTIONS USING
VIRTUAL WORK
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
using virtual work:
• Virtual Work Equation

1. Apply the equation of virtual work to determine the

desired displacement D or rotation q. It is important to
retain the algebraic sign of each integral calculated within its
specified region.

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VIRTUAL WORK
BEAM SLOPES AND DEFLECTIONS USING
VIRTUAL WORK
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
using virtual work:
• Virtual Work Equation

2. If the algebraic sum of all the integrals for the entire

beam or frame is positive, D or q is in the same direction as
the virtual unit load or unit couple moment, respectively. If a
negative value results, the direction of D or q is opposite to
that of the unit load or unit couple moment.

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 1

Determine the displacement of point B of the steel beam
shown. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 500x106 mm4.

12 kN/m

B
A

10m

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SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 2

Determine the tangential rotation at point A of the steel
beam shown. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 60x106 mm4.

12 kN/m

A
B

10m

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 3

Determine the slope q at point B of the steel beam shown.
Take E = 200 GPa, I = 60x106 mm4.

3 kN

A
B C

5m 5m

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SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 4

Determine the displacement at point D of the steel beam
shown. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 300x106 mm4.

30 kN
120 kN-m
B C
A D

3m 3m 4.5m

DEFLECTIONS
CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM FOR BEAMS
CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM EQUATIONS
• Castigliano’s Theorem Equation for Displacement:
L
∫ M ( ∂P ) EI
∂M dx
D =
0

• where:
D = external displacement of the point caused by the real
loads acting on the beam
P = external force applied to the beam in the direction of D
M = internal moment in the beam as a function of x caused
by both the force P and the real loads in the beam

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DEFLECTIONS
CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM FOR BEAMS
CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM EQUATIONS
• Castigliano’s Theorem Equation for Slope:
L
∫ M (∂M’) EI
∂M dx
q =
0

• where:
q = external slope of the point caused by the real loads
acting on the beam
M’ = external moment applied to the beam
M = internal moment in the beam as a function of x caused
by both the moment M and the real loads in the beam

DEFLECTIONS
CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM FOR BEAMS
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
and rotation using Castigliano’s theorem:

• External Force P or Couple Moment M’

1. Place a force P on the beam at the point and in the

direction of the desired displacement.
2. If the slope is to be determined, place a couple moment
M’ at the point.
3. It is assumed that both P and M’ have a variable
magnitude.

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DEFLECTIONS
CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM FOR BEAMS
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
and rotation using Castigliano’s theorem:

• Internal Moments M

1. Establish appropriate x coordinates that are valid within

regions of the beam where there is no discontinuity of
force, distributed load, or couple moment.
2. Calculate the internal moment M as a function of P and
M’ and each x coordinate. Also, compute the partial
derivative ∂M/∂P or ∂M/∂M’ for each coordinate x.

DEFLECTIONS
CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM FOR BEAMS
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
and rotation using Castigliano’s theorem:

• Internal Moments M

3. After M and ∂M/∂P or ∂M/∂M’ have been determined,

assigned P or M’ its numerical value if it has replaced a
real force or couple moment. Otherwise, set P or M’
equal to zero.

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DEFLECTIONS
CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM FOR BEAMS
Procedure for analysis on computing the beam deflections
and rotation using Castigliano’s theorem:

• Castigliano’s Theorem

1. Apply the Castigliano’s theorem equations to determine

the desired displacement D or slope q. It is important to
retain the algebraic signs for corresponding values of M
and ∂M/∂P or ∂M/∂M’.
2. If the resultant sum of all the definite integrals is
positive, D or q is in the same direction as P or M’.

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 1

Determine the displacement of point B of the steel beam
shown. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 500x106 mm4.

12 kN/m

B
A

10m

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SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 2

Determine the slope q at point B of the steel beam shown.
Take E = 200 GPa, I = 60x106 mm4.

3 kN

A
B C

5m 5m

SAMPLE PROBLEM NO. 3

Determine the vertical displacement at point C of the beam
shown. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 150x106 mm4.

20 kN

8 kN/m

A C
B

4m 4m

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