Mechanics: Module VII: Analysis of Beams

Mechanics
Module VII: Analysis of Beams
Lesson 39: Deflection of Beams - I

In mechanical/civil design, a component or structural element is designed
not only for strength, but also for deflection. For the analysis of deflection
in beams, we assume that the deflection is small (compared to the transverse dimension of the beam) so that the loading (and the internal stress
calculations) remain almost the same as in the undeflected state.
The momentcurvature relation for a beam under flexure reads M = EI,
where EI is the flexural modulus of the cross-section, and is the curvature
of the neutral plane of the beam. For a (plane) deflection curve y = y(x),
the curvature is given by
y
=
[1 + (y )2]3/2
where the prime indicates derivative with respect to x. If the deflection is
small compared to the length of the beam, then y 1, implying that y .
Hence, the equation of the elastic curve of a beam may be expressed as
y =
M
.
EI
This is a linear ordinary differential equation which can be solved to obtain

the deflected shape y(x) if the bending moment distribution and the flexural
modulus are known.
Figure 1:
The integration of the differential equation of the elastic curve will introduce two constants of integration. These constants are determined from the
boundary conditions involving y and y , as illustrated in Fig. 1 for some common examples. It is to be noted that, at a point/region where the bonding
moment M = 0, the slope of the elastic curve remains constant. Secondly,
since the bending moment distribution M(x) can have at most a finite discontinuity (due to a finite concentrated moment load), the slope of the elastic
curve y , obtained by integration, will always be continuous. Thus, the slope,
and also the displacement of a beam will always maintain continuity. This
fact is useful in setting the boundary/junction conditions in certain problems.
Problem 1
A uniform cantilever beam of length L is loaded by a concentrated downward
force P at the free end. Determine the equation of the elastic curve.
Figure 2:
Solution
In this case, it is known that the shear force distribution in uniform over the
beam, i.e., V (x) = P , x [0, L]. We have
dM
= V = P M(x) = P (L x)
dx
3
since M(L) = 0. The BMD of the beam is shown in Fig. 2.

The equation of the elastic curve
M
P
= (L x)
EI
EI

P L 2 x3
y=
x
+ d1 x + d2
EI 2
6
y =
From the boundary conditions y(0) = 0 and y (0) = 0 implies d2 = 0 and

d1 = 0. Hence, the elastic curve is given by
P x2
(3L x)
y(x) =
6EI
The deflection at the free end is then obtained as
y(L) =
P L3
.
3EI
Figure 3:
Problem 2
Determine the elastic curve for the simply supported beam uniformly loaded
as shown in Fig. 3. What is the maximum deflection?
4
Solution
Here
Figure 4:
d2M
w0 x 2
=
w
M(x)
=
+ c1 x + c2
0
dx2
2
Since M(0) = M(L) = 0, we have
M(x) =
w0
x(L x).
2
The BMD is shown in Fig. 4. The equation of the elastic curve reads

w0
w0 L 3
1 4
y =
x(L x) y(x) =
x x + d1 x + d2 .
2EI
2EI 6
12
3
w0 L
The boundary conditions y(0) = y(L) = 0 imply d2 = 0 and d1 = 24EI
.
Thus,
y(x) =
w0 x 3
(L 2Lx2 + x3 )
24EI
At the point of maximum deflection, y (x) = 0. This yields x = L/2, and

4
5w0 L
.
the maximum deflection as ymax = y(L/2) = 384EI
Figure 5:
Problem 3
Determine the elastic curve for the beam shown in Fig. 5. Also, determine
the deflection at the free end D.
Solution
The BMD of the beam is shown in Fig. 6. We consider the beam in three
sections as shown.
Section I:
Here, 0 x < e0.5 m, and MI (x) = 20x Nm.
yI =
10 3
20x
yI (x) =
x + c1 x + c2
EI
3EI
Section II:
Here, 0.5 < x 1 m, and MI (x) = 20(x 1) Nm.
yII
20
20
(x 1) yII (x) =
=
EI
EI
6
x3 x2
6
2
+ c3 x + c4
Figure 6:
Section III:
Here, 1 < x 1.5 m, and MI (x) = 0 Nm.
yIII
= 0 yIII (x) = c5 x + c6
The boundary and junction conditions are given by yI (0) = 0, yI (0.5) =
(1), and yIII (1) = 0.

(1) = yIII
(0.5), yII (1) = 0, yII
yII (0.5), yI (0.5) = yII
Thus, we have 6 conditions for the 6 unknowns c1 , . . . , c6 . These are obtained

5
, c2 = 0, c3 =
as c1 = 6EI
55
,
6EI
5
5
c4 = 2EI
, c5 = c6 = 6EI
. Thus, the
elastic curve is given by

10 3
5
3EIx 6EIx
10 x3
y(x) =
x2 +
EI
3
5
6EI (1 x)
0 x 0.5
55
x
6EI
5
2EI
0.5 x 1
1 x 1.5
5
m.
The deflection at the free end D is obtained as yIII (1.5) = 12EI

Mechanics: Module VII: Analysis of Beams

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Mechanics

Module VII: Analysis of Beams

Lesson 39: Deflection of Beams - I

This is a linear ordinary differential equation which can be solved to obtain

modulus are known.

since M(L) = 0. The BMD of the beam is shown in Fig. 2.

From the boundary conditions y(0) = 0 and y (0) = 0 implies d2 = 0 and

At the point of maximum deflection, y (x) = 0. This yields x = L/2, and

The boundary and junction conditions are given by yI (0) = 0, yI (0.5) =

(1), and yIII (1) = 0.

Thus, we have 6 conditions for the 6 unknowns c1 , . . . , c6 . These are obtained

elastic curve is given by

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