Cairo University

Faculty of Engineering

Energy Methods
 Castigliano’s 2nd Theorem
 Mohr’s Unit Load

Lecture 3
MDE Program – MDPN262 – Spring 2011
Example 16.24
Consider the frame shown below which is subjected
to a uniformly distributed load along the horizontal
member. Find the horizontal displacement at the
roller at D. q lb/unit length

B C

A D

L
Solution
q lb/unit length
1- Reactions
Statically Determinate Prob. B C

Ax = 0
H

Ay = qL/2
Ax A D
Dy = qL/2 Ay L Dy
Solution
2- Internal Moment (M) due to Applied Load
Making use of symmetry:
x
M1
y C
M2
D

H
qL/2
M2 = -qx2/2 + qLx/2
M1 = 0
0 ≤ x ≥ L/2 D
0≤y≥H
qL/2
 Solution
3- Horizontal displacement at D
Using Mohr’s unit load
B C B C

H H

1 1 A D 1
A D

L L
Solution
4- Internal Moment (m) due to unit Load
Making use of symmetry:
x
m1 C
y m2

D 1
H
m2 = H

0 ≤ x ≥ L/2
m1 = y D 1

0≤y≥H
Solution
5- Substitution in unit load equation
Mm
 dx
L
EI

H L

2  2
  qx 2
qLx   qHL 3
hD  
EI 0  0  y dy   
0

2

2 

 H dx  
12 EI
 
Example 16.25
A thin semicircular ring is hinged at each end and loaded
by a central concentrated force P as shown below.
Determine the horizontal reaction at each hinge.
P

A B

R
Solution
1- Reactions

• Statically Indeterminate Prob.

• Convert the problem to its equivalent one, that
can be regarded as statically determinate,
without violation of displacements and forces
at the supports locations.
 P

A B
P
R
Exact Problem

A B H
hB= 0
Equivalent Problem
Solution
1- Reactions
• The reactions can be found by applying
the equilibrium equations or using
symmetry. P

A B
H H
P/2 P/2
Solution
2- Internal Moment (M) due to Applied Loads
Making use of symmetry
M
M = (P/2)[R(1-cos)] – H(Rsin)

0 ≤ ≥ /2  R B H
P/2
Solution
3- Horizontal Reaction

• The horizontal reaction can be determined from

the condition that: hB = 0.

• Applying Castigliano’s 2nd theorem:

∂M/∂H = -Rsin
Solution
4- Substitution in Castigliano’s equation
M M
 dx
L
H EI

2
2  PR 
hB  0    1  cos    HR sin    R sin   R d
EI 0  2 
Solving for unknown H:
P
H 
