Third Edition

CHAPTER

MECHANICS OF
MATERIALS
Ferdinand P. Beer
E. Russell Johnston, Jr.
John T. DeWolf

Deflection of Beams

Lecture Notes:
J. Walt Oler
Texas Tech University

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Third
Edition

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Deflection of Beams
Deformation of a Beam Under Transverse
Loading
Equation of the Elastic Curve
Direct Determination of the Elastic Curve
From the Load Di...
Statically Indeterminate Beams
Sample Problem 9.1

Sample Problem 9.8

Moment-Area Theorems
Application to Cantilever Beams and
Beams With Symmetric ...
Bending Moment Diagrams by Parts
Sample Problem 9.11

Sample Problem 9.3

Application of Moment-Area Theorems to

Beams With Unsymme...

Method of Superposition

Maximum Deflection

Sample Problem 9.7

Use of Moment-Area Theorems With

Statically Indeterminate...

Application of Superposition to Statically

Indeterminate ...

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Deformation of a Beam Under Transverse Loading

Relationship between bending moment and
curvature for pure bending remains valid for
general transverse loadings.
1

M ( x)
EI

Cantilever beam subjected to concentrated

load at the free end,
1

Px
EI

Curvature varies linearly with x

1
At the free end A, = 0,
A

At the support B,

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A =

0, B =

EI
PL
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Deformation of a Beam Under Transverse Loading

Overhanging beam
Reactions at A and C
Bending moment diagram
Curvature is zero at points where the bending
moment is zero, i.e., at each end and at E.
1

M ( x)
EI

Beam is concave upwards where the bending

moment is positive and concave downwards
where it is negative.
Maximum curvature occurs where the moment
magnitude is a maximum.
An equation for the beam shape or elastic curve
is required to determine maximum deflection
and slope.
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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Equation of the Elastic Curve

From elementary calculus, simplified for beam
parameters,
d2y
1

dx 2
2 3 2

dy
1 +
dx

d2y
dx 2

Substituting and integrating,

EI

= EI

d2y
dx

= M (x )
x

dy
= M ( x )dx + C1
EI EI
dx
0

EI y = dx M ( x ) dx + C1x + C2
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Equation of the Elastic Curve

Constants are determined from boundary
conditions
x

EI y = dx M ( x ) dx + C1x + C2

Three cases for statically determinant beams,

Simply supported beam
y A = 0,

yB = 0

Overhanging beam
y A = 0,

yB = 0

Cantilever beam
y A = 0, A = 0
More complicated loadings require multiple
integrals and application of requirement for
continuity of displacement and slope.
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Direct Determination of the Elastic Curve From the

Load Distribution
For a beam subjected to a distributed load,
d 2M

dM
= V (x)
dx

dV
=
= w( x )
2
dx
dx

Equation for beam displacement becomes

d 2M
dx

= EI

d4y
dx

= w( x )

Integrating four times yields

EI y ( x ) = dx dx dx w( x )dx
+ 16 C1x3 + 12 C2 x 2 + C3 x + C4

Constants are determined from boundary

conditions.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Statically Indeterminate Beams

Consider beam with fixed support at A and roller
support at B.
From free-body diagram, note that there are four
unknown reaction components.
Conditions for static equilibrium yield
Fx = 0 Fy = 0 M A = 0

The beam is statically indeterminate.

Also have the beam deflection equation,
x

EI y = dx M ( x ) dx + C1x + C2

which introduces two unknowns but provides

three additional equations from the boundary
conditions:
At x = 0, = 0 y = 0

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At x = L, y = 0

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.1

SOLUTION:
Develop an expression for M(x)
and derive differential equation for
elastic curve.
W 14 68

I = 723 in 4

P = 50 kips L = 15 ft

E = 29 106 psi
a = 4 ft

Integrate differential equation twice

and apply boundary conditions to
obtain elastic curve.

For portion AB of the overhanging beam,

Locate point of zero slope or point
(a) derive the equation for the elastic curve,
of maximum deflection.
(b) determine the maximum deflection,
Evaluate corresponding maximum
(c) evaluate ymax.
deflection.

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.1

SOLUTION:
Develop an expression for M(x) and derive
differential equation for elastic curve.
- Reactions:
RA =

Pa

RB = P1 +
L

- From the free-body diagram for section AD,

M = P

a
x
L

(0 < x < L )

- The differential equation for the elastic

curve,
EI
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d2y

a
P
x
=

2
L
dx
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.1

Integrate differential equation twice and apply
boundary conditions to obtain elastic curve.
EI

dy
1 a
= P x 2 + C1
dx
2 L

1 a
EI y = P x3 + C1x + C2
6 L

d2y

a
EI 2 = P x
L
dx

at x = 0, y = 0 : C2 = 0
1 a
1
at x = L, y = 0 : 0 = P L3 + C1L C1 = PaL
6 L
6

Substituting,
dy
1 a
1
EI
= P x 2 + PaL
dx
2 L
6
1 a
1
EI y = P x3 + PaLx
6 L
6

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2
dy PaL
x
=
1 3
dx 6 EI
L

PaL2 x x
y=

6 EI L L

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.1

Locate point of zero slope or point
of maximum deflection.
2
dy
PaL
xm
=0=
1 3
dx
6 EI
L

PaL2 x x
y=

6 EI L L

xm =

L
= 0.577 L
3

Evaluate corresponding maximum

deflection.

PaL2
0.577 (0.577 )3
ymax =
6 EI

PaL2
ymax = 0.0642
6 EI
ymax

(
50 kips )(48 in )(180 in )2
= 0.0642

)(

6 29 106 psi 723 in 4

ymax = 0.238 in
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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.3

SOLUTION:
Develop the differential equation for
the elastic curve (will be functionally
dependent on the reaction at A).

For the uniform beam, determine the

reaction at A, derive the equation for
the elastic curve, and determine the
slope at A. (Note that the beam is
statically indeterminate to the first
degree)

Integrate twice and apply boundary

conditions to solve for reaction at A
and to obtain the elastic curve.
Evaluate the slope at A.

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.3

Consider moment acting at section D,

MD = 0
1 w0 x 2 x
M =0
RA x
2 L 3
w0 x3
M = RA x
6L

The differential equation for the elastic

curve,
d2y

w0 x3
EI 2 = M = R A x
6L
dx

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.3

Integrate twice
4
dy
1
2 w0 x
EI
= EI = RA x
+ C1
dx
2
24 L
5
1
3 w0 x
EI y = RA x
+ C1x + C2
6
120 L

EI

d y

w0 x
=
M
=
R
x

A
6L
dx 2

Apply boundary conditions:

at x = 0, y = 0 : C2 = 0
3
1
2 w0 L
at x = L, = 0 :
RA L
+ C1 = 0
2
24
4
1
3 w0 L
RA L
+ C1L + C2 = 0
at x = L, y = 0 :
6
120

Solve for reaction at A

1
1
R A L3 w0 L4 = 0
3
30
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RA =

1
w0 L
10
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.3

Substitute for C1, C2, and RA in the
elastic curve equation,
5
1 1
3 w0 x 1

EI y = w0 L x

w0 L3 x
6 10
120 L 120

y=

w0
x5 + 2 L2 x3 L4 x
120 EIL

Differentiate once to find the slope,

=

at x = 0,

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dy
w0
=
5 x 4 + 6 L2 x 2 L4
dx 120 EIL

w0 L3
A =
120 EI

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Method of Superposition

Principle of Superposition:
Deformations of beams subjected to
combinations of loadings may be
obtained as the linear combination of
the deformations from the individual
loadings

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Procedure is facilitated by tables of

solutions for common types of
loadings and supports.

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Sample Problem 9.7

For the beam and loading shown,
determine the slope and deflection at
point B.

SOLUTION:
Superpose the deformations due to Loading I and Loading II as shown.

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.7

Loading I
wL3
( B )I =
6 EI

wL4
( yB )I =
8 EI

Loading II
wL3
(C )II =
48 EI

wL4
( yC )II =
128 EI

In beam segment CB, the bending moment is

zero and the elastic curve is a straight line.
wL3
( B )II = (C )II =
48 EI
wL4
wL3 L 7 wL4
( yB )II =
+
=
128 EI 48 EI 2 384 EI
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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.7

Combine the two solutions,

wL3 wL3
B = ( B )I + ( B )II =
+
6 EI 48EI

7 wL3
B =
48 EI

wL4 7 wL4
y B = ( y B )I + ( yB )II =
+
8 EI 384 EI

41wL4
yB =
384 EI

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Application of Superposition to Statically

Indeterminate Beams

Method of superposition may be

Determine the beam deformation
applied to determine the reactions at
without the redundant support.
the supports of statically indeterminate
Treat the redundant reaction as an
beams.
unknown load which, together with
Designate one of the reactions as
the other loads, must produce
redundant and eliminate or modify
deformations compatible with the
the support.
original supports.

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.8

For the uniform beam and loading shown,
determine the reaction at each support and
the slope at end A.

SOLUTION:
Release the redundant support at B, and find deformation.
Apply reaction at B as an unknown load to force zero displacement at B.

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.8

Distributed Loading:
4
3

w 2
2
3 2
( yB )w =
L 2 L L + L L
24 EI 3
3
3

wL4
= 0.01132
EI

Redundant Reaction Loading:

2

RB 2 L
RB L3
( yB )R =
L = 0.01646
3EIL 3 3
EI

For compatibility with original supports, yB = 0

wL4
RB L3
0 = ( yB )w + ( yB )R = 0.01132
+ 0.01646
EI
EI

RB = 0.688wL

From statics,
R A = 0.271wL
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RC = 0.0413wL
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.8

Slope at end A,
wL3
wL3
( A )w =
= 0.04167
24 EI
EI
2
0.0688wL L 2 L
wL3
( A )R =
L = 0.03398
6 EIL 3
EI
3

wL3
wL3
A = ( A )w + ( A )R = 0.04167
+ 0.03398
EI
EI
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wL3
A = 0.00769
EI
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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Moment-Area Theorems
Geometric properties of the elastic curve can
be used to determine deflection and slope.
Consider a beam subjected to arbitrary loading,
No possv el apresentar a imagem. O computador pode no ter memria suficiente para abrir a imagem ou a imagem pode ter sid o danificada. Reinicie o computador e, em seguida, abra o ficheiro nov amente. Se o x v ermelho continuar a aparecer,
poder ter de eliminar a imagem e inseri-la nov amente.

First Moment-Area Theorem:

No possv el apresentar a imagem. O computador pode no ter memria suficiente para abrir a
imagem ou a imagem pode ter sido danificada. Reinicie o computador e, em seguida, abra o ficheiro
nov amente. Se o x v ermelho continuar a aparecer, poder ter de eliminar a imagem e inseri-la
nov amente.

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area under (M/EI) diagram between

C and D.
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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Moment-Area Theorems
Tangents to the elastic curve at P and P intercept a
segment of length dt on the vertical through C.
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de eliminar a imagem e inseri-la nov amente.

= tangential deviation of C
with respect to D

Second Moment-Area Theorem:

The tangential deviation of C with respect to D
is equal to the first moment with respect to a
vertical axis through C of the area under the
(M/EI) diagram between C and D.

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Application to Cantilever Beams and Beams With

Symmetric Loadings
Cantilever beam - Select tangent at A as the
reference.
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Se o x v ermelho continuar a aparecer, poder ter de eliminar a imagem e inseri-la nov amente.

Simply supported, symmetrically loaded

beam - select tangent at C as the reference.
No possv el apresentar a imagem. O computador pode no ter memria suficiente para abrir a imagem ou a imagem pode ter sido danificada. Reinicie o computador e, em seguida, abra o ficheiro nov amente.
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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Bending Moment Diagrams by Parts

Determination of the change of slope and the
tangential deviation is simplified if the effect of
each load is evaluated separately.
Construct a separate (M/EI) diagram for each
load.
- The change of slope, D/C, is obtained by
adding the areas under the diagrams.
- The tangential deviation, tD/C is obtained by
adding the first moments of the areas with
respect to a vertical axis through D.
Bending moment diagram constructed from
individual loads is said to be drawn by parts.

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.11

SOLUTION:
Determine the reactions at supports.
Construct shear, bending moment and
(M/EI) diagrams.
For the prismatic beam shown, determine
Taking the tangent at C as the
the slope and deflection at E.
reference, evaluate the slope and
tangential deviations at E.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.11

SOLUTION:
Determine the reactions at supports.
RB = RD = wa

Construct shear, bending moment and

(M/EI) diagrams.
wa 2 L
wa 2 L
A1 =
=
2 EI 2
4 EI
1 wa 2
wa 3
A2 =
(a ) =
3 2 EI
6 EI

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Sample Problem 9.11

Slope at E:
E = C + E

C = E C

wa 2 L wa 3
= A1 + A2 =

4 EI
6 EI

wa 2
E =
(3L + 2a )
12 EI

Deflection at E:
yE = tE C t D C
L

3a L
= A1 a + + A2 A1
4
4 4

wa 3 L wa 2 L2 wa 4 wa 2 L2
=

4
EI
16
EI
8
EI
16
EI

wa 3
(2 L + a )
yE =
8 EI
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Application of Moment-Area Theorems to Beams

With Unsymmetric Loadings
Define reference tangent at support A. Evaluate A
by determining the tangential deviation at B with
respect to A.
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nov amente.

The slope at other points is found with respect to

reference tangent.
D = A +D

The deflection at D is found from the tangential

deviation at D.

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Maximum Deflection
Maximum deflection occurs at point K
where the tangent is horizontal.
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inseri-la nov amente.

Point K may be determined by measuring

an area under the (M/EI) diagram equal
to -A .
Obtain ymax by computing the first
moment with respect to the vertical axis
through A of the area between A and K.

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Beer Johnston DeWolf

Use of Moment-Area Theorems With Statically

Indeterminate Beams
Reactions at supports of statically indeterminate
beams are found by designating a redundant
constraint and treating it as an unknown load which
satisfies a displacement compatibility requirement.
The (M/EI) diagram is drawn by parts. The
resulting tangential deviations are superposed and
related by the compatibility requirement.
With reactions determined, the slope and deflection
are found from the moment-area method.

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9 - 34