ODA BULTUM UNIVERSITY

Institute of Technology
Civil Engineering Academic Program
Strength of Materials

By: Tamene.T

Year, 2016E.C.
 CHAPTER SIX
DEFLECTION OF BEAMS
(CEng2101)
 Introduction

 Important relations between applied load and both normal and

shear stresses developed in a beam were presented in chapter 4.

 However, a design is normally not complete until the deflection of

the beam has been determined for its particular load.

 In building construction, excessive deflections can cause cracks

in walls and ceilings. Doors and windows may not close properly.
Floors may sag or vibrate noticeably as people walk on them.

 Structures deform and change shapes, when subjected to force.

Tamene Tesfaye 3
 Cont…

 The deformations of a beams usually expressed in terms of

deflection from its original (initial) unloaded positions.

 The deflection of a beam depends on the stiffness of the material

and on the cross-sectional dimensions of the beam, as well as the
configuration of the applied loads and supports.

 In this chapter, we consider the deflection of statically determinate

beams. Because the design of beams is frequently governed by
rigidity rather than strength, the computation of deflections is an
integral component of beam analysis.
Tamene Tesfaye 4
 Cont…

 Excessive deflection of a beam not only is visually disturbing but

also may cause damage to other parts of the building. For this
reason, building codes limit the maximum deflection of a beam to
about 𝟏/𝟑𝟔𝟎𝒕𝒉 of its span. Flexural members must deflect just
the right amount.

 Deflections also play a crucial role in the analysis of statically

indeterminate beams. They form the bases for the compatibility
equations that are needed to supplement the equations of
equilibrium.
Tamene Tesfaye 5
 Cont…
 A number of analytical methods are available for determining the
deflections of beams. Their common basis is the differential
equation that relates the deflection to the bending moment. The
solution of this equation is complicated because the bending
moment is usually a discontinuous function, so that the equations
must be integrated in a piecewise fashion.
 There are different analytical methods for calculating beam
deflections; include:
1. Double-integration method (The most commonly used method),
2. Conjugate beam method,
3. Moment-area method,
4. Superposition method, and
Tamene Tesfaye 6
 The Elastic Curve

 The deflection of a beam must often be limited in order to provide

stability, and to prevent the cracking of any attached brittle
materials such as concrete or plaster.
 Most importantly, though, slopes and displacements must be
determined in order to find the reactions if the beam is statically
indeterminate. In this chapter we will find these slopes and
displacements caused by the effects of bending.
 Before finding the slope (𝜽) or displacement (v), it is often
helpful to sketch the deflected shape of the beam, which is
represented by its elastic curve.
Tamene Tesfaye 7
 Cont…

 The elastic curve passes through the centroid of each cross

section of the beam, and for most cases it can be sketched without
much difficulty.

 When doing so, just remember that supports that resist a force,
such as a pin, restrict displacement, & those that resist a moment,
such as a fixed wall, restrict rotation or slope as well as
displacement.

 Two examples of the elastic curves for loaded beams are shown
in Fig. 6.1.

Tamene Tesfaye 8
 Cont…

Fig. 6.1: Elastic curves for loaded beams.

 If the elastic curve for a beam seems difficult to establish, it is

suggested that the moment diagram for the beam be drawn first.
Tamene Tesfaye 9
 Cont…

 Using the beam sign convention established in chapter 2, a

positive internal moment tends to bend the beam concave
upwards, Fig. 6.2a. Likewise, a negative moment tends to bend
the beam concave downwards, Fig. 6.2b.

 Therefore, if the moment diagram is known, it will be easy to

construct the elastic curve.

 Before we can obtain the slope and deflection at any point on the
elastic curve, it is first necessary to relate the internal moment to
the radius of curvature 𝝆 of the elastic curve.
Tamene Tesfaye 10
 Cont…

 But, in chapter 4 we developed a relationship between the normal

stress & the internal moment & radius of curvature of the beam
element.

𝟏 𝑴
⟹𝒌= = … … … … … … … … … … … … (𝟔. 𝟏)
𝝆 𝑬𝑰
 Eq. (6.1) relates the radius of curvature 𝝆 of the neutral surface
of the beam to the internal bending moment (M), the elastic
modulus (E) of the material, and the moment of inertia (I) of the
cross-sectional area.
Tamene Tesfaye 11
 Cont…
 Since E and I are always positive, the sign for 𝝆 is consistent with
the sign of the bending moment (M).

Fig. 6.2: Beam sign convention.

Tamene Tesfaye 12
 Differential Equation of the Elastic
Curve
 The equation of the elastic curve in Fig. 6.3 (a) will be defined by
the coordinates v and x. And so to find the deflection 𝒗 = 𝒇(𝒙)
we must be able to represent the curvature 𝟏Τ𝝆 in terms of v & x.
 As shown in Fig. 6.3 (a), we let x be the horizontal coordinate of
an arbitrary point A on the axis of the beam, measured from the
fixed origin O. As the beam deforms, its axis becomes curved
and A is displaced to the position 𝐀′ .
 The vertical deflection of A, denoted by v, is considered to be
positive if directed in the positive direction of the y-axis, that is,
upward [see Fig. 6.3 (a)].
Tamene Tesfaye 13
 Cont…
 Because the axis of the beam lies on the neutral surface, its length
does not change. Therefore, the distance 𝑶𝑨′ , measured along the
elastic curve, is also x. It follows that the horizontal deflection of A
is negligible provided the slope of the elastic curve remains small.
 Next consider the deformation of an infinitesimal segment AB of
the beam axis, as shown in Fig. 6.3 (b). The elastic curve 𝑨′ 𝑩′ of
the segment has the same length dx as the un-deformed segment.
 If we let v be the deflection of A, then the deflection of B is
𝒗 + 𝒅𝒗 , with dv being the infinitesimal change in the deflection
over the length dx. Similarly, the slope angles at the ends of the
deformed segment are denoted by 𝜽 & 𝜽 + 𝒅𝜽 .
Tamene Tesfaye 14
 Cont…

Fig. 6.3: (a) Deformation of a beam; (b) Deformation

of a differential element of beam axis.
Tamene Tesfaye 15
 Cont…

 From the geometry of Fig. 6.3 (b), we obtain;

dv
⟹ 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 ≅ 𝜽 = … … … . … … . . … … … . (𝟔. 𝟐)
d𝑥
 The approximation is justified because 𝜽 is small. From Fig. 6.3
(b), we also see that;
⟹ 𝒅𝒙 = 𝝆𝒅𝜽 … . . … … . … … … . . … … … . (𝟔. 3a)
 Where 𝝆 is the radius of curvature of the deformed segment.
Rewriting Eq. (6.3a) as;
⟹ 𝟏ൗ𝝆 = 𝒅𝜽ൗ𝒅𝒙 … . . . . … … … . . … … … . (𝟔. 3b)
 Then, when we substitute 𝜽 from Eq. (6.2) in to Eq. (6.3b) we obtain;
Tamene Tesfaye 16
 Cont…
1 𝑑2 v
⟹ = 𝟐 . . … … … . … . … … … … … … … … . (𝟔. 𝟑)
𝝆 d𝑥
 When we substitute Eq. (6.1) into Eq. (6.3) yields;

1 𝑑2v 𝑴
⟹ = 𝟐= … … … … … … . . … . … … … . (𝟔. 𝟒)
𝝆 d𝑥 𝑬𝑰
 Which is the differential equation of the elastic curve. The product
EI called the flexural rigidity of the beam, is usually constant
along the beam. It is convenient to write Eq. (6.4) in the form;

𝑑2 v ′′
⟹ 𝑴 = 𝑬𝑰 = 𝑬𝑰𝒗 … . … . … … . … … . (𝟔. 𝟓)
d𝑥 𝟐

Tamene Tesfaye 17
 Cont…
 Where the prime denotes differentiation with respect to x; that is,
2
𝑑v ′
𝑑 v ′′
⟹ =𝒗, = 𝒗 , 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒐𝒏.
d𝒙 d𝑥 𝟐

 It is also possible to write Eq. (6.5) in two alternative forms. If we

differentiate each side with respect to x, we get;

𝑑M 𝑑 𝑑2v 𝑑3v
⟹𝑽 𝒙 = = 𝑬𝑰 𝟐 = 𝑬𝑰 𝟑 … … … . … . . … … (𝟔. 𝟔)
d𝒙 d𝒙 d𝑥 d𝑥
 Differentiating again Eq. (6.6) with respect to x; then it yields,

𝑑V 𝑑2 𝑑2 v 𝑑4 v
⟹𝒘 𝒙 = = 𝟐 𝑬𝑰 𝟐 = 𝑬𝑰 𝟒 … … . . … . . . … … . (𝟔. 𝟕)
d𝒙 d𝑥 d𝑥 d𝑥
Tamene Tesfaye 18
 Double Integration of the Differential
Equation

 If EI is constant and M is a known function of x, integration of

Eq. (6.5) yields;

⟹ 𝑬𝑰𝒗′ = න 𝑴 𝒅𝒙 + 𝑪𝟏 … … … … … … … . . . … … . … … . (𝟔. 𝟖)

 A second integration gives;

⟹ 𝑬𝑰𝒗 = ඵ 𝑴 𝒅𝒙 + 𝑪𝟏 𝒙 + 𝑪𝟐 … … … … … … … . … … . (𝟔. 𝟗)

Tamene Tesfaye 19
 Cont…

 Where; 𝑪𝟏 and 𝑪𝟐 are constants of integration to be determined

from the prescribed constraints (for example, the boundary
conditions) on the deformation of the beam.
 Because Eq. (6.9) gives the deflection (v) as a function of x, it is
called the equation of the elastic curve.
 The analysis described above is known as the double-integration
method for calculating the deflections of beams.
 Common examples of boundary conditions are zero deflection at
a pin or roller support, and zero slope and zero deflection at a
built-in (cantilever) support.
Tamene Tesfaye 20
 Cont…

 If the bending moment and flexural rigidity are smooth functions

of the coordinate x, a single differential equation can be written
for the entire beam, (the term smooth here means that the function
and its derivatives are continuous).

 If either the bending moment or flexural rigidity is not a smooth

function of x, a separate differential equation must be written for
each beam segment that lies between the discontinuities.

 The equations for the elastic curves for two adjacent segments
must satisfy two continuity conditions at the junction between
segments:
Tamene Tesfaye 21
 Cont…

1. The deflection for the left-hand segment must equal to the

deflection for the right-hand segment, and
2. The slope for the left-hand segment must equal to the slope for
the right hand segment.
 Physically speaking, the continuity conditions assure that there are
no kinks or gaps at the point where two segments meet.
 Consider a beam for which the differential equation of the elastic
curve must be written for n segments.
 For this beam, two integrations of the moment equation for
each segment will produce a total of 2n constants of
integration (two per segment).
Tamene Tesfaye 22
 Cont…

 There are also 2n independent equations available for finding

the constants. Because there are 𝒏 − 𝟏 junctions between the
n segments, there are a total of 2 𝒏 − 𝟏 continuity equations.

 Two additional equations are provided by the boundary

conditions imposed by the supports. Therefore, there are a total
of 2 𝒏 − 𝟏 + 𝟐 = 𝟐𝒏 equations.

 As you can see, the evaluation of the constants of integration can

be tedious if the beam contains several segments.

Tamene Tesfaye 23
Examples
 Examples
Example 6.1: The simply supported beams shown in Fig. 6.4 loaded
with concentrated moving design loads 𝑷𝒅 . Then, derive the
general bending moment equation & the general elastic curve
equations. EI is constant.

Fig. 6.4: Simply supported beams with concentrated

moving load 𝑷𝒅 .
25
 Cont…

SOLUTION:

Step-1: Determine the Unknown Support Reactions:

 To determine the support reaction, take summation of moment at

support-B is equal to zero.

⟹ + ෍ 𝑴𝑩 = 0; ⟹ 𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 − 𝑅𝐴 × 𝐿 = 0

𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆; ⟹ 𝑹𝑨 = … … … … … … … … … … … (𝐚)
𝐿

Tamene Tesfaye 26
 Cont…
Step-2: Determine the Bending Moment Equations:
 To determine the bending moment at any point along the beam axis,
section the beam at arbitrary distance x (𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞; 𝒙 > 𝐛) from
the left end support (from support-A).

Fig. 6.5: Section of beam at x distance.

Tamene Tesfaye 27
 Cont…
 Then, to determine the bending moment at arbitrary point from the
left end support, take summation of moment at x-distance from left
end support is equal to zero.

⟹ + ෍ 𝑴𝒙 = 0; ⟹ 𝑀𝑥 + 𝑃𝑑 𝒙 − 𝒃 − 𝑅𝐴 (𝑥) = 0

𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑥
⟹ 𝑴𝒙 = − 𝑃𝑑 𝒙 − 𝒃 … … … … … … . … … (𝐛)
𝐿
 The above equation, Eq. (b) is a general bending moment
equations for a simply supported beams, having concentrated
design load at any location within the beam lengths.
Tamene Tesfaye 28
 Cont…
Note: < > is known as POINTED BRACKET and, if the value or
(the number) with in this POINTED BRACKET becomes
NEGATIVE then, the value is ignored and we take the remains.

Step-3: Determine the Elastic Curve Equations:

 We knows that, from the relationship between the normal stress and
the internal moment and radius of curvature of the beam element,
we have the following equations;

𝟏 𝑑2 v 𝑴
⟹ = 𝟐= … … . … … . … . … … … … … … . (𝐜)
𝝆 d𝑥 𝑬𝑰
 Then, from Eq. (b) and Eq. (c), we derive the following equations;
Tamene Tesfaye 29
 Cont…

𝑑 2 v 𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑥 𝑃𝑑 𝒙 − 𝒃
⟹ 𝟐= − . . . … . . … … … … . … . (𝐝)
d𝑥 𝑬𝑰𝐿 𝑬𝑰
 Then, in order to compute the slope 𝜽 which created in the beam
length, integrate both sides of Eq. (d). Then, we obtain;

𝑑v 𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑥 2 𝑃𝑑 𝒙 − 𝒃 𝟐
⟹ slope 𝜽 = = − + 𝑪𝟏 . . … … … … (𝐞)
d𝒙 𝟐𝑬𝑰𝐿 𝟐𝑬𝑰
 Then, in order to compute the general deflection equation or the
equation of the elastic curve 𝒗 𝒙 for the entire length of the
beam, integrate both sides of Eq. (e). Then, we obtain;

Tamene Tesfaye 30
 Cont…
𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑥 3 𝑃𝑑 𝒙 − 𝒃 𝟑
⟹𝒗 𝒙 = − + 𝑪𝟏 𝒙 + 𝑪𝟐 . … … … … (𝐟)
𝟔𝑬𝑰𝐿 𝟔𝑬𝑰
 Then, using the boundary conditions for simply supported beam,
we computes the constant 𝑪𝟏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑪𝟐 .
a) The first boundary condition is; at 𝒙 = 𝐨, the vertical deflection
is zero.
⟹ 𝐚𝐭, 𝒙 = 𝟎; ⟹ 𝒗 𝒙 = 𝒗 𝟎 = 𝟎
 Then, using Eq. (f) and the first boundary condition, we can
computes the constant 𝑪𝟐 .
𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝟎 3 𝑃𝑑 𝟎 − 𝒃 𝟑
⟹𝒗 𝟎 = − + 𝑪𝟏 𝟎 + 𝑪𝟐 = 0
𝟔𝑬𝑰𝐿 𝟔𝑬𝑰
Tamene Tesfaye 31
 Cont…

⟹ 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆; 𝑪𝟐 = 𝟎
b) The second boundary condition is; at 𝒙 = 𝑳 , the vertical
deflection is zero.
⟹ 𝐚𝐭, 𝒙 = 𝑳; ⟹ 𝒗 𝒙 = 𝒗 𝑳 = 𝟎
 Then, using Eq. (f) and the second boundary condition, we can
computes the constant 𝑪𝟏 .
3 𝟑
𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑳 𝑃𝑑 𝑳 − 𝒃
⟹𝒗 𝑳 = − + 𝑪𝟏 𝑳 + 𝟎 = 0
𝟔𝑬𝑰𝐿 𝟔𝑬𝑰
𝑃𝑑 𝑳 − 𝒃 𝟑 𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑳
⟹ 𝑪𝟏 = −
𝟔𝑬𝑰𝐿 𝟔𝑬𝑰
Tamene Tesfaye 32
 Cont…

𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝟐 2
𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏
⟹ 𝑪𝟏 = 𝑳−𝒃 −𝐿 = 𝑳𝟐 − 𝟐𝑳𝒃 + 𝑏 2 − 𝐿2
6𝑬𝑰𝐿 6𝑬𝑰𝐿
𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏
⟹ 𝑪𝟏 = −𝟐𝑳𝒃 + 𝑏 2
6𝑬𝑰𝐿
𝑃𝑑 × 𝑏 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑏 − 2𝐿
⟹ 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆; 𝑪𝟏 =
6𝑬𝑰𝐿
 Finally, by substituting the values of 𝑪𝟏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑪𝟐 in to Eq. (f), we
obtain the general elastic curve equations for the given simply
supported beams, having concentrated design load (𝑷𝒅 ) at any
location within the beam lengths.
Tamene Tesfaye 33
 Cont…

𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑥 3 𝑃𝑑 𝒙 − 𝒃 𝟑 𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑏 − 2𝐿 𝑏
⟹𝒗 𝒙 = − + 𝒙
𝟔𝑬𝑰𝐿 𝟔𝑬𝑰 6𝑬𝑰𝐿

𝑃𝑑 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑥 3 𝟑
𝑏 𝐿 − 𝑏 𝑏 − 2𝐿 𝒙
⟹𝒗 𝒙 = − 𝒙−𝒃 + … . (𝐠)
6𝑬𝑰 𝐿 𝐿

 The above equation Eq. (g), was the general equations to

determine the deflections of simply supported beams which loaded
by concentrated design loads at any point within the beam length.

Tamene Tesfaye 34
 Exercises
1) In each case, determine the internal bending moment as a
function of x, and state the necessary boundary and/or continuity
conditions used to determine the elastic curve for the beam.

Tamene Tesfaye 35
 Cont…

Tamene Tesfaye 36
 Cont…

2) For the beam shown in figure below compute the equation of the
elastic curve and determine the displacement at Point-A of the
beam.

Tamene Tesfaye 37
 Cont…

3) For the beam shown in figure below compute the equation of the
elastic curve & determine the displacement at 2m from support-A.

Tamene Tesfaye 38
 Cont…
4) Determine the slope and deflection of end A of the cantilever
beam. E = 200GPa and 𝐈 = 𝟔𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒎𝒎𝟒 .

Tamene Tesfaye 39
 Cont…
5) Determine the elastic curve for the cantilever beam using the x
coordinate. Specify the maximum slope & maximum deflection.
E = 210GPa and 𝐈 = 𝟖𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒎𝒎𝟒 .

Tamene Tesfaye 40
 Cont…
6) For the propped cantilever beam shown in figure below, assume
that 𝐸𝐼 = 42000𝑘𝑁. 𝑚2 , then, determine (i) the reactions at B and
D. (ii) the beam deflection at C.

Tamene Tesfaye 41
 Cont…
7) For the propped cantilever beam shown in figure below, assume
that 𝐸𝐼 = 200,000𝑘𝑁. 𝑚2 , then, determine (i) the reactions at B &
C. (ii) the beam deflection at A.
y

Tamene Tesfaye 42