11.

Introduction To Real And Virtual Work Methods

11.1 Introduction

In the previous chapter strain energy due to different types of loadings (axial force, shear
and moment) have been formulated. In this chapter, we will illustrate how the
conservation of energy or the principle of work and energy can be applied to determine
the displacement at a point on a structure.

11.2 Real Work Method

Consider an elastic body subjected to several loads. Suppose that all the loads are applied
statically, and the final values of the load and displacement be denoted by Pi (i=1,2…
m) and i (see Fig. 6-1). Based upon linearity, force and displacement increase
proportionately during the loading process, and the total work W is ½ Pii.
This work is equal to the strain energy U gained by the body, provided that no energy is
dissipated. Thus
(6-1)

P2 P3

2 3
1 dL L i Pi
m
P1
Pm

Fig. 6-1 Displacements of an elastic body under several loads

In other words, the work done by the loads acting on the body manifests itself as elastic
strain energy.
In the case of a member or a structure subjected to a single concentrated load P, Eqn.
(6-1) may be written as
(6-2)
where  is the displacement through which the force P moves. It can similarly be
demonstrated that
(6-3)
and
(6-4)
Here M (or T) and  (or ) are, respectively, the moment (or torque) and the associated
slope (or angle of twist) at a point of a structure or member.

1
The preceding relationships offer a simple approach for obtaining the displacement,
provided the strain energy can be obtained. This is called the work-energy or the real
work method. Although this method is quite direct, its application is limited to only a few
selected problems. It will be noted that only one load may be applied to the structure.
Furthermore, since the external work depends upon both the force and its corresponding
displacement, only the displacement under the force can be obtained.

11.3 Virtual Work Method

The principle of virtual work is sometimes referred to as the unit-load method. It

provides a general means of obtaining the displacement and slope at a specific point on a
structure, be it a beam, frame, or truss. Consider the deformable structure acted upon by
the series of external loads P shown in the Fig. 6-1 again. The external loads will cause
internal loads u at points throughout the structure. It is necessary that the external and
internal loads be related by the equations of equilibrium. As a consequence of these
loadings, external displacements  will occur at the P loads and internal displacements 
will occur at each point of the internal load u. in general, the principle of work and
energy states:

Work of (6-5)
Work of
External loads Internal loads
Consider the structure (or body) shown in the Fig. 6-2b. In this figure the dotted line
shows the deformed shape. Suppose it is necessary to determine the displacement of point
A on the body caused by the “real loads” P1, P2, and P3 .It is to be understood that these
loads cause no movement of the supports. Since no external load acts on the body at A
and in the direction of , the displacement  can be determined by first placing on the
body a “virtual” load such that this force P' acts in the same direction as , Fig. 6-2a. For
convenience, we will choose P' to have a “unit” magnitude, that is P'=1. The term
“virtual” is used to describe the load, since it is imaginary and does not actually exist as
part of the real loading. The unit load (P') does, however, create an internal virtual load u
in a representative element or fiber of the body, as shown in Fig. 6-2a.

P'=1 P2
A P3
A 
L u L
P1 dL
u

Fig. 6-2 (a) Apply virtual load P' first. (b) Then apply real loads P1, P2, P3.

Here it is required that P' and u be related by the equations of equilibrium. Once the
virtual loadings are applied, then the body is subjected to the real loads P1, P2, and P3,

Virtual loadings
Fig. 6-2b. Point A will be displaced an amount , causing the element to deform an
amount dL. As a result, the external virtual force P' and internal virtual load u “ride
along” by  and dL, respectively, and therefore perform external virtual work of 1. on
the body and internal virtual work of u.dL on the element. Realizing that the external
virtual work is equal to the internal virtual work done on all the elements of the body, we
can write the virtual-work equation as

1. = u.dL (6-6)

Real displacements

Where
P'= 1 = external virtual unit load acting in the direction of 
u = internal virtual load acting on the element in the direction of dL
 = external displacement caused by the real loads
dL= internal deformation of the element caused by the real loads

In a similar manner, if the rotational displacement or slope of the tangent at a point on a

structure is to be determined, a virtual couple moment M' having a unit magnitude is
applied at the point. As a consequence, this couple moment causes a virtual load u in one
of the element of the body. Assuming the real loads deform the element an amount dL,
the rotation  can be found from the virtual-work equation

Virtual loadings
1. = u.dL (6-7)
Real displacements
Where
M'= 1 = external virtual unit couple moment acting in the direction of 
u = internal virtual load acting on the element in the direction of dL
 = external rotational displacement or slope in radians caused by the real loads
dL= internal deformation of the element caused by the real loads

Applications of the method of virtual work

Trusses: - if a truss is acted by a system of forces at its joints and if its elements are
stressed within the elastic range of the materials from the virtual-work equation the
deflection at a joint is given by
(6-8)

Where
1= external virtual unit load acting on the truss joint in the stated direction of 
n= internal virtual normal force in a truss member caused by the external virtual unit load
A P3
= external joint displacement caused by the real loads on the truss
P1 L
dL
3
N= internal normal force in a truss member caused by the real loads
L= length of a member
A= cross-sectional area of a member
E= modulus of elasticity of a member

Beams and frames: - if a beam or frame is acted by a system of forces and its elements
are stressed within the elastic range of the material, the deflection of any point on the
structure can be obtained from the virtual equation (considering deflection due to bending
only). To do this, apply a unit virtual load in the direction of the required displacement.
Then we have

(6-9)

Where
1= external virtual unit load acting on the beam or frame in the stated direction of 
m= internal virtual moment in the beam or frame, expressed as a function of x and caused
by the external virtual unit load
= external displacement of the point caused by the real loads acting on the beam or
frame
M= internal moment in the beam or frame, expressed as a function of x and caused by the
real loads
E= modulus of elasticity of the material
I= moment of inertia of cross-sectional area, computed about the neutral axis

In a similar manner, if the tangent rotation or slope angle  at a point on the beams elastic
curve is to be determined, a unit couple moment is applied at the point, and the
corresponding internal moments m have to be determined. Since the work of the unit
couple is 1. , then

(6-10)