B
= Angle made by the tangent to the elastic curve at B with the horizontal.
A
1
A
2
is the deflection of the point A with respect to the tangent to the elastic curve at B and according to
the second moment area theorem, it is equal to the moment of the area of the M / EI diagram between A
and B about A.
But as before C
1
C
2
is the deflection of the point C with respect to the tangent to the elastic curve at B and
according to the second moment area theorem, it is equal to the moment of the area of the M / EI diagram
between B and C about C.
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS - 2
VISION ENGINEERING CLASSES
P
a
g
e
4
Note: h
1
& h
2
are taken as - ve in above equation if after sinking supports A and C lie below the support
of reference B.
Theorem of three moments gives the relation between support moments at A,B and C. This equation
can be extended for a beam having any number of spans. Applying this equation to a series of
consecutive spans, number of equations can be framed depending upon unknown support moments.
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS - 2
VISION ENGINEERING CLASSES
P
a
g
e
5