CIVL 3121 Deflections - Conjugate Beam 1/5

Deflections Deflections

 The conjugate
conjugate––beam method was developed by  The previous expressions relate the internal
in Heinrich Müller-Breslau in 1865. shear and moment to the applied load.
 The method is based on the similarity between  The slope and deflection of the elastic curve
the relationships for loading and shear, and are related to the internal moment by the
shear
h andd moment.
t f ll i expressions
following i

dV dM d 2M d M d 2y M
 w (x ) V  w  
dx dx dx 2 dx EI dx 2
EI
M M
V   w (x )dx M    w (x )dx dx   dx y   dx dx
EI EI

Deflections Deflections

 Let’s compare expressions for shear, V,  Let’s compare expressions for bending
and the slope,  moment, M, and the displacement, y

dV d M d 2M d 2y M
w  w 
dx dx EI dx 2 dx 2
EI
 What do you see?  What do you see?
 If you replace w with the term M/EI the  Just as before, if you replace w with the
expressions for shear force and slope are term M/EI the expressions for bending
identical moment and displacement are identical

Deflections Deflections

 We will use this relationship to our advantage w

by constructing a beam with the same length as w = w(x)
Real beam with applied loading.
the real beam referred to as the conjugate Determine the bending moment
(draw the bending moment
beam
beam. x diagram)

 The conjugate beam is loaded with the M/EI M

diagram, simulating the external load w. EI
Conjugate beam where the
applied loading is bending
moment from the real beam

x Note the sign of loading w and

the M/EI on the conjugate
beam.
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Deflections Deflections

 Therefore, the two theorems related to the  Conjugate–Beam Supports

conjugate beam method are:  When the conjugate beam is drawn, it is important
that the shear and moment developed in the conjugate
 Theorem 1: The slope at a point in the real beam correspond to the slope and displacement
beam is equal to the shear at the corresponding conditions in the real beam.
beam
point in the conjugate beam.
Real Support Conjugate Support

 Theorem 2: The displacement of a point in the V

real beam is equal to the moment at the 

corresponding point in the conjugate beam. Pin or roller Pin or roller

=0 0 M=0 V0

Deflections Deflections

 Conjugate–Beam Supports  Conjugate–Beam Supports

Real Support Conjugate Support Real Support Conjugate Support

M V R VL VR
L

Free end Fixed end Interior support Hinge

0 0 M0 V0 =0 L =  R  0 M=0 V L = VR  0

VL VR
L R

Fixed end Free end Hinge

Interior roller
=0 =0 L and R may have
M=0 V=0 0 VL and VR may have
different values M0
different values

Deflections Deflections

 As a rule, statically determinant real beams Procedure for analysis

have statically determinant conjugate beams
and statically indeterminate beams become
unstable conjugate beams.
 However, the M/EI loading may provide the
necessary “equilibrium” to hold the conjugate
1. Construct the conjugate beam with the M/EI loading.
Remember when the M/EI diagram is positive the loading is upward and
when the M/EI diagram is negative the loading is downward.
2. Use the equations of equilibrium to solve for the
reactions of the conjugate beam.
This may be difficult if the moment diagram is complex.

beam stable. 3. Solve for the shear and moment at the point or points
where the slope and displacement are desired.
If the values are positive, the slope is counterclockwise and the
displacement is upward.
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Deflections Deflections

 Draw the conjugate beam, including supports,  Draw the conjugate beam, including supports,
for the following beams for the following beams

Conjugate beam and supports Conjugate beam and supports

Deflections Deflections

 Draw the conjugate beam, including supports, Example: Determine the slope and the displacement at point C for
for the following beams the following beam. Assume that E = 30,000 ksi and I = 300 in4.
10 k M 50
EI k ft
10 ft 10 ft
EI
A B
C
10 ft 10 ft

Construct the conjugate beam and apply the M/EI diagram as loading
50
k ft
EI
Remember positive (+) bending
moment is a positive (+) loading on
A B the conjugate beam.
Conjugate beam and supports
10 ft C 10 ft

Deflections Deflections

Example: Determine the slope and the displacement at point C for Example: Determine the slope and the displacement at point C for
the following beam. Assume that E = 30,000 ksi and I = 300 in4. the following beam. Assume that E = 30,000 ksi and I = 300 in4.
FCE 50 50
k ft k ft
EI 1  50k ft  EI
FCE    (20ft )
2  EI 
VC
A B A B
M
10 ft C 10 ft 10Cft C 10 ft

Ay Ay 250k ft 2
By By
EI

1  50k ft  250k ft 2 1  50k ft   10ft   250k ft 

2

 MA  0  2  EI (20ft )(10ft )  By (20ft ) By  

EI
 MC  0  MC  2  EI (10ft )  3    EI  (10ft )
 
1  50k ft  250k ft 2 1,666.6k ft 3 1,666.6k ft 3 1,728in 3
MC    0.32in
 Fy 0
2  EI 
(20ft )  By  Ay Ay  
EI EI

(30, 000ksi )(300in 4 )

ft 3
CIVL 3121 Deflections - Conjugate Beam 4/5

Deflections Deflections

Example: Determine the slope and the displacement at point C for Example: Determine the slope and the displacement at point C for
the following beam. Assume that E = 30,000 ksi and I = 300 in4. the following beam. Assume that E = 30,000 ksi and I = 300 in4.
50 50
k ft k ft
EI EI
VC VC
A B A B
M M
10Cft C 10 ft 10Cft C 10 ft

Ay 250k ft 2 Ay 250k ft 2
By By
EI EI

 Therefore, the displacement of the beam at point C is equal to

1  50k ft   250k ft 2  the moment at point C on the conjugate beam and the slope is
 Fy 0
2  EI 
(10ft )    VC VC  0 equal to the shear in the conjugate beam.
 EI 
 In this problem. the displacement at point C is -0.32 in and
the slope is zero.

Deflections Deflections
Example: Determine the slope and the displacement at Example: Determine the maximum displacement at
point B for the following beam. Assume that the mid-span of the following beam. Assume that
E = 29,000 ksi and I = 800 in4. E = 30,000 ksi and I = 800 in4.

5k 5k

B
15 ft 15 ft A 9 ft 3 ft B
A

Deflections Deflections
Example: Determine the slope at point B and the Example: Determine the slope at A and the displacement
displacement at point E for the following beam. at mid-span.
Assume that E = 29,000 ksi and IAB = IDE = 400 in4,
and IBD = 800 in4.
w

8k 8k
B D A
A E L B
C
10 ft 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft

Are there any disadvantages to the conjugate beam

method for uniform or high-order loading functions?
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End of Defections – Part 2

Any questions?