Deflection (engineering) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Deflection (engineering)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In engineering, deflection is the degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load. It may refer to an angle or a distance. The deflection distance of a member under a load is directly related to the slope of the deflected shape of the member under that load and can be calculated by integrating the function that mathematically describes the slope of the member under that load. Deflection can be calculated by standard formula (will only give the deflection of common beam configurations and load cases at discrete locations), or by methods such as virtual work, direct integration, Castigliano's method, Macaulay's method or the direct stiffness method, amongst others. The deflection of beam elements is usually calculated on the basis of the EulerBernoulli beam equation while that of a plate or shell element is calculated using plate or shell theory. An example of the use of deflection in this context is in building construction. Architects and engineers select materials for various applications. The beams used for frame work are selected on the basis of deflection, amongst other factors.

Contents
1 Beam deflection for various loads and supports 1.1 End loaded cantilever beams 1.2 Uniformly loaded cantilever beam 1.3 Center loaded beam 1.4 Intermediately loaded beam 1.5 Uniformly loaded beam 2 Structural deflection 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

Beam deflection for various loads and supports

End loaded cantilever beams
The elastic deflection and angle of deflection (in radians) in the example image, a (weightless) cantilever beam, with an end load, can be calculated (at the free end B) using:[1]

where

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Deflection (engineering) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflection_(engineering)

= Force acting on the tip of the beam = Length of the beam (span) = Modulus of elasticity = Area moment of inertia Note that if the span doubles, the deflection increases eightfold. The deflection at any point, , along the span of an end loaded cantilevered beam can be calculated using:[1]

Deflection of a cantilevered beam

Note that at (the end of the beam), the and equations are identical to the and equations above.

Uniformly loaded cantilever beam

The deflection, at the free end B, of a cantilevered beam under a uniform load is given by:[1]

where = Uniform load on the beam (force per unit length) = Length of the beam = Modulus of elasticity = Area moment of inertia The deflection at any point, , along the span of a uniformly loaded cantilevered beam can be calculated using:[1]

Center loaded beam

The elastic deflection (at the midpoint C) of a beam, loaded at its center, supported by two simple supports is given by:[1]

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Deflection (engineering) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflection_(engineering)

where = Force acting on the center of the beam = Length of the beam between the supports = Modulus of elasticity = Area moment of inertia The deflection at any point, , along the span of a center loaded simply supported beam can be calculated using:[1]

for

Intermediately loaded beam

The maximum elastic deflection on a beam supported by two simple supports, loaded at a distance from the closest support, is given by:[1]

where = Force acting on the beam = Length of the beam between the supports = Modulus of elasticity = Area moment of inertia = Distance from the load to the closest support (i.e. This maximum deflection occurs at a distance

from the closest support and is given by:[1]

Uniformly loaded beam

The elastic deflection (at the midpoint C) on a beam supported by two simple supports, under a uniform load (as pictured) is given by:[1]

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Deflection (engineering) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflection_(engineering)

where = Uniform load on the beam = Length of the beam = Modulus of elasticity = Area moment of inertia The deflection at any point, , along the span of a uniformly loaded simply supported beam can be calculated using:[1]

Shows a statically determinate beam, deflecting under an evenly distributed load.

Structural deflection
Building codes determine the maximum deflection, usually as a fraction of the span e.g. 1/400 or 1/600. Either the strength limit state (allowable stress) or the serviceability limit state (deflection considerations amongst others) may govern the minimum dimensions of the member required. The deflection must be considered for the purpose of the structure. When designing a steel frame to hold a glazed panel, one allows only minimal deflection to prevent fracture of the glass. The deflected shape of a beam can be represented by the moment diagram, integrated (twice, rotated and translated to enforce support conditions).

See also
Bending Slope deflection method Virtual work Direct integration Castigliano's method Macaulay's method Direct stiffness method

References
1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Gere, James M.; Goodno, Barry J. Mechanics of Materials (Eighth ed.). p. 1083-1087. ISBN 978-1-111-57773-5.

External links
Deflection & stress of beams Calculators (http://www.engineersedge.com /beam_calc_menu.shtml) Deflection of beams (http://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/mechanics-and-strength-of-materials /chapter-6-beam-deflections) Online Calculator for Deflection and slope of beams (http://civilengineer.webinfolist.com /str/sdcalc.htm) Beam Deflections (http://www.clag.org.uk/beam.html) Beam Deflections (Tabulated) (http://www.advancepipeliner.com/Resources/Others/Beams
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Deflection (engineering) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflection_(engineering)

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