TOPIC 6:

DEFLECTIONS

1 Structural Analysis Eighth Edition l © 2012 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
6.1 Deflection Diagrams & Elastic Curve
• Deflections of structures can come from loads,
temperature, fabrication errors or settlement.
• In design, deflections must be limited in order to prevent
cracking of attached brittle materials.
• A structure must not vibrate or deflect severely for the
comfort of occupants.
• In this topic, only linear elastic material response is
considered  structure will return to its original
undeformed position after the load is removed.
• Sketch the shape of the structure when it is loaded 
deflection diagram for better visualization of the
computed results & to partially check the results.
• Deflection diagram represents the elastic curve for the
points at the centroids of the cross-sectional areas along
each of the members.
• Due to pin-and-roller support,
the disp at A & D must be
zero.
• Within the region of -ve
moment, the elastic curve is
concave upward, vice-versa
for +ve moment.
• There must be a point of
inflection, where the curve
changes from concave up to
concave down.
• The Golden Rules for sketching the deflection profile:
a) Identify points of certainty of deflection profile.
b) Determine direction of joint:
 action of joint on member
 action of member on joint
 direction of joint rotation
• Examples of deflection profile for following beams:
6.2 Elastic-beam Theory
• An initially straight beam will elastically deformed by
loads applied perpendicular to beam’s x-axis & lying in
x-v plane of symmetry..
• Due to loading, the beam deforms under shear &
bending.
• If beam L >> d, greatest deformation will be caused by
bending, or else it will be in shear deformation.
• When Moment deforms the beam element, the angle
between the cross sections becomes dθ.
• The arc dx that rep a portion of the elastic curve
intersects the neutral axis.
• The radius of curvature for this arc is ρ, which is
measured from centre of curvature O’ to dx.
• Any arc on the element other than dx is subjected to
normal strain.
• Hence, the strain in arc ds located at position y from the
neutral axis is:

  (ds'ds) / ds

ds  dx  d and ds'  (   y )d

(   y )d  d 1 
  
d  y

• If the material is homogeneous & behaves in a linear

manner, then Hooke’s law & flexure formula apply:

   / E;   My / I
• Combining those eqns, we have:
1 M

 EI
  the radius of curvatureat a specific point on the elastic curve

M  internal momentin the beam at the point where  is to be determined

E  the material's modulus of elasticity

I  the beam's momentof inertia computedabout the neutral axis

• EI = flexural rigidity; dx = ρdθ  1/ ρ= dθ/dx

M
• Hence, dθ  dx
EI
• Based on calculus, the curvature (1/ρ) in terms of x & v:
1 d 2  / dx 2

 [1  (d / dx) 2 ]3 / 2
• Therefore,
M d 2  / dx 2

EI [1  (d / dx) 2 ]3 / 2
• This eqn rep a non-linear second-order differentiation
eqn.
• Its solution, Δ = f(x) gives the exact shape of the elastic
curve.
• Since the slope of the elastic curve for most structures is
very small, therefore we’ll use small deflection theory
and assume dΔ/dx ≈ 0.
• Eventually,
d 2 M
2

dx EI

• Because of ds ≈ dx, points on the elastic curve will only

be displaced vertically & not horizontally.
6.3 Double Integration Method
d 2 M
• When M = f(x), successive integration of  will yield
dx 2 EI
the beam’s slope, and
M
• θ ≈ tan θ = dΔ/dx =  EI dx
• Then, eqn of elastic curve:
M
  f ( x)   dx
EI
• Referring to the beam above, the internal moment in
regions AB, BC & CD must be written in terms of x1, x2
and x3.
• Once these functions are integrated & the constants
determined, the functions will give the slope & deflection
for each region of the beam.
• Use the proper sign convention for M in derivation.
• +ve v is upward, hence, the +ve slope angle, θ will be
measured counter-clockwise from the x-axis.
• The constants of integration are determined by
evaluating the functions for slope or displacement at a
particular point on the beam where the value of the
function is known, such as:
 disp at support = 0 (or with a given settlement)
 Slope or rotation at specific point = 0
• These values are called boundary conditions.
• Examples of boundary condition in the following beams:
ΔA,y = 0;
C ΔB,x & ΔB,y = 0; θB = 0
ΔC,left = ΔC,right ; θC,left = θC,right

ΔA,x , ΔA,y & θA = 0;

ΔB,x , ΔB,y & θB = 0;
Δmid,left = Δmid,right ; θmid,left = θmid,right = 0
ΔB,y & ΔC,y = 0;

θB, left = θB, right; θC, left = θC, right

ΔA,x, ΔA,y & ΔC,y = 0;

θB, left = -θB, right; θC, left = θC, right
ΔB,y, left = ΔB,y, right
ΔD,x , ΔD,y & θD = 0

ΔA,x , ΔA,y & θA = 0;

θB, left = θB, right; ΔB,y, left = ΔB,y, right

ΔC,y = 0

ΔA,x , ΔA,y, ΔB,y , ΔC,y & ΔD,y = 0;

θB, left = θB, right; θC, left = θC, right;

Example 6.1
The cantilevered beam is subjected to a couple moment of
20 kNm at its end. Use double integration method,
determine:
a) the equation of the elastic curve.
b) the slope and displacement at point B.
Assume E = 200 GPa, I = 6.8 ×106 mm4.
Solution:
d 2
M  M 0  EI 2
dx

d
EI  EI    M 0dx  M o x  C1
dx

Boundary condition at point A

When x  0, θA  0. Hence,


1
M o x  C1   0  C1  0
EI

M o x2
EI    M o x  C1 dx   C1 x  C2
2

Another boundary condition at point A

When x  0,  A,y  0. Hence,
1  M o x2 
   C1 x  C2   0  C2  0
EI  2 
Hence, the slope and deflection equation for the beam are:
Mox M o x2
 ; 
EI 2 EI

For point B:
20  106 (3600)
B   0.0529rad
(200  103 )(6.8  106 )
20  106 (36002 )
 B, y   95.3mm
2(200  10 )(6.8  10 )
3 6
Example 6.2
The beam is subjected to a load P at its end. Determine the
displacement at C using double integration approach.
Assume EI is constant.

Boundary condition available:

ΔA,x, ΔA,y & ΔB,y = 0; θB, left = θB, right

Note: Due to vertical load only is applied on the beam, hence the vertical
displacement will be considered in this case.
Solution:

Moment Function:
For member AB, (0  x1  2a) :
P
M 1   x1
2

For member BC, (2a  x2  3a) :

M2 
P
x2 
3P
 x2  2 a ) 
2 2
 Px 2  3Pa
Slope & Elastic Curve:
For member AB:
d 2 1 P
EI 2
 M 1   x1
dx1 2
2
 P  Px1
EI 1     x1 dx    C1
 2  4
 Px12  Px
3
EI 1      C1 dx   1  C1 x1  C2
 4  12

When x1  0 ,  A, y  0. Hence,
 P ( 0) 3
1 
 A, y  
  12  C1 (0)  C2   0  C2  0

EI 
When x1  2a,  B , y  0. Hence,
1  P ( 2a ) 3  Pa 2
   C1 ( 2a )   0  C1 
EI  12  3
For member BC:
d 22
EI 2
 M 2  Px 2  3Pa
dx2
2
  Px 2  3Pa dx
Px 2
EI  2   3Pax 2  C3
2
 Px 2 2  3
Px 2 3Pax 2
2
EI  2     3Pax 2  C3 dx    C3 x2  C4
 2  6 2

When x2  2a ,  B , y  0. Hence,
1 P( 2a )3 3Pa ( 2a )2 
 B, y    C3 ( 2a )  C4   0
EI 6 2 
When x2  2a,  B,left   B,right. Hence,
1  P( 2a ) 2 Pa 2  1  P(2a ) 2 
   
  
  3Pa (2a )  C3 
EI  4 3  EI  2 
2 2
Pa 10 Pa
C3  6 Pa 2  2 Pa 2  Pa 2  
3 3
Therefore,
1  P ( 2a )3 3Pa ( 2a )2  10 Pa 2  
   ( 2a )  C4   0
 6 
EI  2  3  
8Pa 3 20 Pa 3
C4   6 Pa 3 
6 3
 2 Pa 3

Displaceme nt at C with x2  3a :
1  P (3a )3 3Pa (3a )2  10 Pa 2  
C , y     (3a )  2 Pa 
 6 
3

EI 2  3  
Pa 3

EI
6.4 Moment-Area Theorems
• If we draw the moment diagram for the beam & then
divide it by the flexural rigidity, EI, the “M/EI diagram”
results.

M 
d   dx
 EI 
6.4.1 Theorem 1
• Theorem 1:
 Area of curvature diagram (M/EI) between 2 points is
equal to the change in slope.

• dθ on either side of the element dx = the lighter shaded

area under the M/EI diagram.
• Figure below is an exaggerated view of vertical deviation
dΔ of the tangents on each side of the differential
element, dx.

• Since slope of elastic curve & its deflection are assumed

to be very small, it is satisfactory to approximate the
length of each tangent line by x & the arc ds’ by dΔ.
• Use s =  r (where r = x)  dΔ = xd
• Again ,we know that:
d 2  d M M BM
2
   d  dx Hence,  B / A   dx
dx dx EI EI A EI
6.4.2 Theorem 2
• Theorem 2:
 Vertical distance to point A from the tangent line B
is equal to the 1st moment of area under the M/EI
diagram.
• Provided the M/EI area from A to B is computed, it
indicates that the tangent at point A is below the
tangent to the curve extended from point B.
• The vertical deviation of the tangent at A with respect to
the tangent at B can be found by integration.
M
d  xd  x dx
EI
B M
 d dx   A / B  A x EI dx
• From statics subject, we know that centroid of an area:

x  dA   xdA
• So,
M B
ΔA/B  x  dx
A EI

where
x  distance from point A to the centroid of the area
between A & B.
Example 6.3
Determine the slope and displacement at point B & C of
the beam using moment-area theorems. Take E = 200 GPa,
I = 360(106) mm4.
Solution:
M A 0
M A  10(10)  0
MA  100kNm (CCW )

F y 0  RAy  10kN
F x 0  RAx  0

M/EI diagram: Elastic curve:

 L M 1  50 100   375
B  B/ A   dx     5 
0 EI 2  EI EI  200 106  360 106 10 12
 0.00521 rad
  50  2  1  50 
 5   5 
L M
 B   B/A  x  dx  2.5  5
0 EI  EI  3  2 EI 
 1041.67

200 106  360 106 10 12
 0.0145m  14.5mm 
L M 1 100  500
C  C / A   dx   10 
0 EI 2 EI 200 106  360 106 10 12
 0.00694 rad
M 2
10 1   100 10 
L
 C   C/A  x  dx 
0 EI 3  2 EI 
 3333.33

200 106  360 106 10 12
 0.0463m  46.3mm 
Example 6.4
At what distance a should the bearing supports at A and B
be placed so that the displacement at the center of the
shaft is equal to the deflection at its ends?
Assume the bearings exert only vertical reactions on the
shaft. EI is constant. Use the moment-area theorems.
Solution:

M/EI diagram: Elastic curve:

Point C

 Pa ( L  2a)  1 ( L  2a)   Pa
B/C      L  2a 2
EI 2 2 2  8EI
 Pa ( L  2a)  1 ( L  2a)   1  Pa  2a 
D/C      a     a  
EI 2 2 2   2 EI  3 
 Pa 2
L  4a 2  
3
Pa

8EI 3EI
Stated in the question, that:
B/C  D/C  B/C
2 B / C   D / C
  Pa  Pa 2
2
 
3
2 L  2a    L  4a 2 
Pa
 8EI  8 EI 3EI
PaL2 Pa 2 L 7 Pa 3
  0
8 EI EI 6 EI
6 L2  48 La  56a 2 0

48 L  (48 L) 2  4(56)(6 L2 ) 48 L  960 L

a  
2(56) 112
 0.152 L or 0.705L

Hence, choose a = 0.152L