5.

Deflection of Beams
5.1. Introduction: In engineering, deflection is a term that is used to describe the degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load. The deformation of a beam is usually expressed in terms of its deflection from its original unloaded position. The deflection is measured from the original neutral surface of the beam to the neutral surface of the deformed beam (Fig.1).

Fig.1 A loaded beam deflects by an amount that depends on several factors including:

the magnitude and type of loading the span of the beam the material properties of the beam (Modulus of Elasticity) the properties of the shape of the beam (Moment of Inertia) the beam type (simple, cantilever, overhanging, continuous) Elastic Curve O x x Fig.2 (b) x +dx dx y d + A x + dx B d Initial position of Elastic Curve

5.2.Equation of Elastic Line y A/ (a) B

/

dy/dx=sin (1) dx=d (2)

1/=d /dx =d(dy/(dx)(dx)=d 2 y/dx2 (3)

d=dx/ ; d=du/y ; du/dx=y/

1/=d/dx (4) du=(dx/)y

=du/dx; du=dx d= dx/y=dx/Ey=Mydx/EIy Fig.3 d=Mdx/EI; d/dx= M/EI (5) From equations (3) and (5): d2y/dx2=M/EI or EI . d2y/dx2=M (6) dx

d y

du

This equation is known as differential equation of Elastic Curve. Sign Convention

When applying Eq.6, it is necessary to define the sign convention of the moment(M) and (d2y dx2). The sign in equation 6 must be chosen such that it will be consistent with the choice of coordinate axes as given in Fig.2 .Furthermore, recall that positive deflection, y, is upward, and as a result, the positive slope angle will be measured counter clockwise from the xaxis. Here, positive increase dx and dy in x and y directions create an increase d that is counterclockwise From the above sign convention, the elastic curve equation may be written in the form as given inEq.6. y

dy/dx(+)
x x

B.M(+)

dy/dx()
y

B.M()

There are several methods to compute deflections in beams, frames and trusses: Double integration method Moment area method Conjugate beam method Work/Energy methods

5.3. Double Integration Method: Once the bending moment (M) is expressed as a function of x, M(x), then successive integrations of equation 6 will yield the beam s slope and the deflection y. The first integration (dy dx) yields the slope of the elastic curve and the second integration y gives the deflection of the beam at any distance x. The resulting solution must contain two constants of integration since EI d2 y dx2 = M is of second order. These two constants must be evaluated from known conditions concerning the slope and deflection at certain points of the beam. Roller or Hinged Support Fixed Support Free End

y(0)=0;dy/dx (0)=0 Fig.4 5.4.Examples:

dy/dx (0)0; y(0)0 y(0)=0; dy/dx 0

Boundary Conditions

1.A Simply supported beam with uniformly distributed load is shown in Fig.5.. Determine the slope and deflection equations, and hence find the slope at A and B and the maximum deflection in the beam. x M x q q Fig.5 A L M+qL(x/2)2 RA (x)=0 M= RA (x) q(x/2)2= qL(x) q(x/2)2 EId2y/dx2=M= qL(x) q(x/2)2 EIdy/dx=qLx2/2(qL/2)x2/2+C1 EIy=(qL/2)x3/3(qL/4)x3/3+C1x+C2 Boundary Conditions: B A RA=qL/2

At x=0: y=0; at x=L: y=0, C2=0, C1=qL3/24 EIdy/dx=qLx2/2(qL/2)x2/2 qL3/24 EIy=(qL/2)x3/3(qL/4)x3/3 (qL3/24)x The slope at x=0 is given by: A=wL3/24EI, and at x=L ,at B: B=wL3/24EI Maximum deflection at x=L/2: ymax= 5wL4/384EI(downwards) 2.A cantilever beam of constant flexural rigidity EI carries a uniformly distributed load as shown in Fig.6. Determine the slope A x L w B

Fig.6

and deflection equations, and hence find the slope and deflection at the free end. Solution: Taken the origin at A , the bending moment at a section spaced x from A is given by: M=w(Lx)2 2 d2 y/dx2=1EI[w(Lx)22] =w2EI(L22Lx+x2) dy/dx=1EI[w2(L2 x2Lx22+x33)]+C1 y= 1EI[ w2(L2x22 Lx33 +x4 12)]+C1x+C2 For x=0: dy dx=0; y=0 dy dx=0=1 EI(w(L2(0)2L(0)22+(0)33))+C1(0)+C2 C2=0 y=0=1EI[w2(L2(0)22L(0)33+(0)412)]+C1(0)+0 dy/dx=wEI(Lx)36=w2EI(L2 x2Lx22+x33) y=1EI[ w2(L2x22 Lx33 +x4 12)] Slope and deflection at B: (x=L) B =dy/dx=wEI(LL)36=w2EI(L2 (L)2L(L)22+(L)33) = wL3 6EI yB=1EI[ w2(L2 (L)22 L(L)33 +(L)4 12)] = wL4 8EI 3.When a cantilever is loaded at some point between the ends, at distance a from the fixed support as shown in Fig.7. Find the deflection under the load and at the free end. C1=0

Solution: M=P(a-x) A Fig.7

P B C L

d2y/dx2=[P(a-x)]=PEI(a-x) Equation for the slope: dy/dx=P/EI(axx2/2)+C1

Equation for deflection: y=P/EI(ax2/2x3/6)+C1x+C2 Constants: at x=0(at A): dy/dx=0, and y=0 C1=0, C2=0 dy/dx=P/EI(axx2 2), y=P/EI(ax2/2x3/6) Slope and deflection at C: at x=a c=dy/dx=Pa2/2EI yc=Pa3/3EI Deflection at the free end(at x=L): yB=yc+c(L-a)=Pa3/3EIPa2/2EI(L-a)=Pa2/6EI(3L-a) 5.5.Problems: 5.1.. Determine the magnitude and direction of the deflection and slope at B of the beam given in Fig.5.1 E and I are constant. 20kN Fig.5.1 A 4 5.2. Derive the equation of the elastic curve for the cantilever beam shown in Fig.5.2. Determine the slope and deflection at the free end if EI=40000kNm 2. 10kNm Fig.5.2 3 5.3. Derive the expressions for the slope and deflection along the beam in Fig.5.3 , then find the slope at the supports and deflection at point C. E and I are constant. M A B Fig.5.3 C L/3 2L/3 40kNm B