In this chapter we will show how to determine the elastic deflections of a structure using various geometrical and energy methods. Also, the method of double integration will be discussed, The geometrical methods we will consider include the moment-area theorems and the conjugate-beam method, tnd the energy methods are based on virtual work and Castigliane’s theorem, Each of these methods has particular advantages or disadvantages, which will be discussed when each method is presented. 8.1 Deflection Diagrams and the Elastic Curve Deflestions of structui¥s can occur from yarious sourees, such as Toads, temperature, fabrication errors, or settlement. In design, deiections rmust be limited in order to prevent cracking of attached brittle materials such as conerete or plaster. Furthermore, a structure must not vibrate or deflect severely in order to “appear” safe for its occupants. More important, though, deflections A specified poinss in-a structure must be determined if one is to analyze statically indeterminate structures ‘The deflections to be considered in this text apply only to structures having linear elastic material response. Under this condition, a structure subjected 10 a load will return to its original undeformed position after the load is removed. The deflection of a structure is caused by its intemal loadings such as normal force, shear foree, or bending moment, For beams and frames however, the greatest deflections are most often caused by internal bending whereas intemal axial forces cause the deflections of a trussBefore the slope or displacement of a point on a beam or frame is ‘computed, it is often helpful to sketch the shape of a structure when it is loaded in order 10 visualize the computed results and thereby partially check the results. This deflection diagram represents the elastic curve for the points at the centroids of the cross-sectional areas along each of the members. For most problems the elastic curve can be sketched without much difficulty, When doing so, however, it is necessary to know the restrictions as 1 slope or displacement that ofien occur at a support or a connection, With reference to Table 8-1, supports that resist « force, such as a pin, restriet displacement; and those that resist montent, such as a fixed wall, restrict rotation. Note also that defleetion of frame members that are fixed connected (4) causes the joint (o rotwte the members by the same amount 6 On the other hand, if a pin connection is used at the joint, the apembers will each have a different slope or rotation at the pin, since the pirréannot support a moment (5). Using these restrictions, typical examples of deflected beams and frames, sketched to a greatly exaggerated scale, are shown in Fig. 8-1 @ fxed.comectel joint piconet ii) Wig. 8-1