Virtual Work is a hypothetical concept that is used mainly for derivation and proof.
However it will be seen that this concept can be used as a primary method of analysis.
Consider a structure having external loads Wi with equivalent (vector) displacements
i at the joints, and internal forces Pj with equivalent displacements ej in the members.
If the loads Wi are in equilibrium with the forces Pj and the displacements i are
compatible with the displacements ej, then the principle of virtual work states that:
Wi i = Pj ej
joints members
If the conditions of equilibrium and compatibility are satisfied, neither of the sets of
forces or displacements need actually exist, but may be only virtual. Combinations of
Virtual forces with real displacements lead to indirect methods of analysis in which
the final equations are transformed into a more easily managed form 1
A C A C
B B
MA
VA VC
1
Solving problems in Structures, Croxton and Martin
2
Understanding structural analysis, 2nd edition, David Brohn
1
Virtual States:
The concept of a virtual state is useful in solving certain kinds of problems,
particularly those of deformations. These virtual states need only satisfy one of the
two conditions mentioned previously:
either equilibrium or compatibility.
We will use the previous example to discuss these concepts.
W
A C
B VIRTUAL FORCE
In this virtual force state there is
equilibrium of forces, since the load is
supported by the moment and vertical
reaction at A. However the deflection
MA is no longer compatible with the rigid
support at C
VA
A
B C VIRTUAL DISPLACEMENT
A state of virtual displacement can be
created by the introduction of a hinge at
A and B, which is compatible with the
support conditions. The introduction of
these two hinges results in a mechanism,
Hence this system satisfies compatibilty
but not equilibrium
The virtual state is an analytical device. Because only one state needs to be satisfied
it is more easily evaluated. When we combine real and virtual states, we can easily
develop theorems of great power and application in the solution of structural
problems 3
Students are referred to the book, Understanding structural analysis, 2nd edition for the
proof of the two formulae which are discussed herein after:
3
Understanding structural analysis, 2nd edition, David Brohn
2
The following theorems are reproduced from Brohns Understanding structural
analysis:
1. Theorem of VIRTUAL Displacements;
In any structural system, the external VIRTUAL work of the applied loads
acting over the VIRTUAL displacement is equal to the internal VIRTUAL
work of the VIRTUAL displacement acting against the internal forces
2. Theorem of VIRTUAL Forces;
In any structural system, the external VIRTUAL work of the external
VIRTUAL forces acting over the real displacement is equal to the internal
VIRTUAL work done against the internal VIRTUAL forces by the real
displacement
A C A B C D
Ultimate Mt of R B
2Mu for sagging and Mu for hogging
3 1 5
W 18
A C A
B D
1 1 B C
12 6
2
1=
M
2=
2MU
3
Virtual work method for deflection (applied at joints);
This method has been covered adequately in Structural Analysis 2 or 3 for
determining the deflection in a structure at a particular point and in a particular
direction.
Remember the formula =nNL/AE (refer to STAN201 or STAN301 notes).
N
L
1 6 5 4 X
Z
10 kN 10 kN
10 m 10 m 10 m
4
member N n L NnL
1-2 14.144 0.9428 14.144 188.61
2-3 10 0.666 10 66.60
3-4 14.144 0.4714 14.144 94.30
4-5 -10 -0.3333 10 33.33
5-6 -10 -0.3333 10 33.33
6-1 -10 -0.6666 10 66.66
2-6 -10 -0.6666 10 66.66
3-6 0 -0.4714 14.144 0.00
3-5 -10 0 10 0.00
549.49
deflection =NnL/AE
A= 4.80E-04 M^2
E= 2.00E+08
deflection= 5.72 mm
5
Y 10
2 3
14.14
-9.999 14.14
-.0004 -9.999
1
Z 6 5 4 X
2 0.6666 3
-0.3333
-0.6666 -0.3333
1
Z 6 5 4 X
member N n L NnL
1-2 14.144 0.9428 14.144 188.61
2-3 10 0.666 10 66.60
3-4 14.144 0.4714 14.144 94.30
4-5 -10 -0.3333 10 33.33
5-6 -10 -0.3333 10 33.33
6-1 -10 -0.6666 10 66.66
2-6 -10 -0.6666 10 66.66
3-6 0 -0.4714 14.144 0.00
3-5 -10 0 10 0.00
549.49
deflection =NnL/AE
A= 4.80E-04 M^2
E= 2.00E+08
deflection= 5.72 mm
6
Virtual work method for deflection in rigidly jointed structures, where the loads
are applied at points other then the joints.
Here bending moment and other stress resultants will also be present. Due to the
variable nature of the resultants it becomes necessary to integrate along the length of
the member. The integrands are derived by partial differentiation of the expressions
for strain energy (eg axial force: P2dx / 2EA)
Axial Force: nNdx / AE
Bending Moment: mMdx / EI
Shear Force: sSdx / GA
Torque: tTdx / GJ
(Lower case italics indicate stress resultants due to the unit / virtual load)
The derivation of most of these formulae can be found in Brohn chapter 5, frames 33
to 52.
7
Example 1 (eg 6.2 from SPIS)
Show that the midspan deflection of a simply supported beam with a uniformly
distributed load is 5wL4/384EI
=
=
=
w 1
x x
M m
( )
=
53
students to cmplete integration to prove that = 384
= =
=
=
8
Example 2 (eg 6.8 from SPIS)
w -2wh2
B C
I
h 2I M
2h
A
-2h
mH mV
-1*h
2 + 0
2
= 0
(22 . )
= 0
2
1 2 4
= 22 =
2 2 0 2
= 2 +
H= * + 0*
(1) (22 )
= 0.5
4
2 + [0] = 2
V= * + *
1
1 (2) (22 ) 4
(2) (22 )
= 2 +
44
=
9
Tutorial
a) Determine the slope at C, for the frame shown in example above.
w -2wh2
B C
I
h 2I M
2h
A
1
Mdue to rotation
-1
10
Solution
1
1(1)22 2(1)22
= 2
+ 3
3 43 73
= + =
3 3
11
Maximum Deflections for Load Case 1:
X :3.06 mm at node 4
Y mm at node 10
Y :-24.25
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1
Z X
90
Y 62.5
40 22.5
4 5 6 7 10
8 2.5
9 10
90 3
90 2
90 1
Z X
12
Tutorial1 : virtual work determinate structures
Use the virtual work method to find the following:
Question 1
Derive an expression for the deflection under the central point load in the simply
supported beam below;
Question 2
Derive an expression for the deflection and slope at B in the cantilever beam below;
A B
L
Question 3
10kN
A C
5 5 2
B
Question 4
Derive an expression for maximum deflection and the slope at A for the simply
supported beam below;
w kN/m
A L
13