Macauley’s Method

When the loads on the beam do not come from standard cases, the solution for slope and deflection
must be found from first principles.

The basic equation governing the slope and deflection of beams is:

𝑑2 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑀 𝑑𝑥 2 Where M is a function of x

When a beam has a variety of loads it is difficult to apply this theory because some loads may be within
the limits of x during the derivation but not the solution at a particular point. Macauley’s method
makes it possible to do the integration necessary by placing all the terms containing x within a square
bracket and integrating the bracket…not x. During evaluation, any bracket with a negative value is
ignored as it means that the load it refers to is not within the limit of x. The general method of solution
is conducted as follows. See the diagram below….algebraic terms are used in place of force values:

1. Write down the bending moment equation placing x on the extreme right hand end of the
beam so that it contains all the loads. Write all the terms containing x in a square bracket.

𝑑2 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 2 = 𝑀 = 𝑅1 [𝑥] − 𝐹1 [𝑥 − 𝑎] − 𝐹2 [𝑥 − 𝑏] − 𝐹3 [𝑥 − 𝑐]

2. Integrate once treating the square bracket as the variable.

𝑑𝑦 [𝑥]2 [𝑥−𝑎]2 [𝑥−𝑏]2 [𝑥−𝑐]2

𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑅1 2
− 𝐹1 2
− 𝐹2 2
− 𝐹3 2
+𝐴

3. Integrate again using the same rules:

[𝑥]3 [𝑥−𝑎]3 [𝑥−𝑏]3 [𝑥−𝑐]3

𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑅1 6
− 𝐹1 6
− 𝐹2 6
− 𝐹3 6
+ 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵

4. Use the boundary conditions to solve A and B

5. Solve slope and deflection by putting in the appropriate values of x. Ignore any brackets
containing negative values.

Problems:
1. The beam shown below is 7m long with a flexural stiffness of 200MNm2. Determine the slope
and deflection in the middle.
𝒅𝒚
(A=-187400: B=0: 𝒚 = −𝟐. 𝟎𝟗𝒙𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝒎: 𝒅𝒙
= −𝟏. 𝟐𝟏𝒙𝟏𝟎−𝟓 )

2. The beam shown below is 6m long with a flexural stiffness of 300MNm2. Determine the
slope at the left end and deflection in the middle.
(A=-84,557: B=0: 𝒚 = −𝟓. 𝟑𝟒𝒙𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝒎)

3. Find the deflection at the centre of the beam shown below. The flexural stiffness is 20MNm2.
(A=-585.76: B=0: 𝒚 = −𝟔. 𝟒𝒙𝟏𝟎−𝟓 𝒎)