INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH IN EMERGING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, VOLUME-3, ISSUE-5, MAY-2016 E-ISSN: 2349-7610

Determination of Curved Beam Deflection by Using

Castigliano’s Theorem

Yogesh Gangamwar1, Vinit Deo2, Sumit Chate3, Makarand Bhandare4

and Prof. H.N. Deshpande5
1
Yogesh Gangamwar, Department of Mechanical Engineering/ PES Modern College of Engineering/ Savitribai Phule
Pune University, Pune-411005 Maharashtra, India
1
gyogesh538@gmail.com
2
Vinit Deo, Department of Mechanical Engineering/ PES Modern College of Engineering/ Savitribai Phule Pune
University, Pune-411005 Maharashtra, India
2
deovineet@gmail.com
3
Sumit Chate, Department of Mechanical Engineering/ PES Modern College of Engineering/ Savitribai Phule Pune
University, Pune-411005 Maharashtra, India
3
chatesumit@gmail.com
4
Makarand Bhandare, Department of Mechanical Engineering/ PES Modern College of Engineering/ Savitribai Phule
Pune University, Pune-411005 Maharashtra, India
4
makarandb023@gmail.com
5
Prof. H.N.Deshpande, Department of Mechanical Engineering/ PES Modern College of Engineering/ Savitribai Phule
Pune University, Pune-411005 Maharashtra, India
5
hndesh@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
To design a beam it is necessary to choose a beam which is strong enough to carry its loads and at the same time makes
economical use of the material. It is also important to note that the amount of beam bends so that the deflection of the beam must
not be excessive. In this paper the horizontal and vertical deflections of the curved beams as hinges in planar compliant
mechanisms are calculated with the help of Castigliano's theorem. Analytical expressions are used to calculate deflection of
curved beams for different types of loads. The results obtained from analytical expressions are compared with ansys analysis.
Overall results showed that analytical calculations and ansys results lie within the difference of only 7-9%.

Keywords— Curved beams, Castigliano‟s theorem, horizontal deflection, vertical deflection.

1. INTRODUCTION deflection. To improve the range of motion of these

The analysis of curved beams has many important applications mechanisms, hinges that allowed for large displacements are

in various engineering disciplines. Due to bending moment used. To calculate the deflection a hinge consisting of two

tensile and compression stresses are developed. To determine semicircular beams with a rigid member in between them is

the deflection of beam is very important. Deflection is caused used.

by various sources of loads. For any structure it is important to

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
calculate the deflection so as to know the stresses caused by
Hinge designs have been used to allow small deflection of
loads and to prevent structural damage. Conventional hinge
mechanisms and analysis has typically focused on the
designs in planar compliant mechanisms had a limited
deflection of the curved beams when subject to different types
deformation range due to high stresses induced in it during
of loads. In the studies of semicircular beams as a hinges in

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH IN EMERGING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, VOLUME-3, ISSUE-5, MAY-2016 E-ISSN: 2349-7610

planer compliant mechanism various research has been done = displacement

by Horacio Ahuett-Garzaa, et.al [1] about the use of
=angle
semicircular beams as hinges in large deflection planar
compliant mechanism. Tadashi Horibke, et.al [2] presented , Deflections of members 1,2,3

analytical solution for J-shaped cantilever beam subjected to

point load with in plane and out of plane using Castigliano‟s
3. COMPLIANT MECHANISM
theorem for elliptical cross-section. Clive L.Dym et.al [3]
shows the response of shallow curved beam typically arc like
structure under the axial load. L.L Howell et.al [4] proposed
the concept of seudo rigid body model and method of
approximation of deflection path of end loaded large
deflection cantilever beam. Tore Dahlberg [5] Demonstrated
the Castigliano‟s theorem for the calculation of deflection of
curved beams for statically determinate and statically
indeterminate structure. Gere and Timoshenko [6] proposed
the process of finding displacement by a direct application of
Castigliano‟s second theorem is efficient if more than one load
Fig-1: Compliant mechanism [1]
acts on the structure. Now in this paper horizontal and vertical
deflection of hinge with two semicircular beams is found for Compliant mechanisms are flexible mechanisms that transfer
different loading conditions. an input force or displacement to another point through elastic
body deformation. Semicircular beam hinges present favorable
Nomenclature characteristics in applications where large deflections are
A= Cross section area (mm2) desired and they have an advantage that smaller stresses are
developed as they deform hence resulting in larger
E= Modulus of elasticity(N/mm2)
deformation of the mechanism. In micro and nano application
F= load (N) compliant mechanisms are essential.

I= Moment of inertia (mm4)

4. CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM
L=Length(mm)
For displacements in a linearly elastic structure, it states that:
M=Bending moment
„If the strain energy of a linearly elastic structure can be
P= Generalized force expressed as a function of generalized force Pi ; then the partial

R= Radius of semicircular beam(mm) derivative of the strain energy with respect to generalized
force gives the generalized displacement in the direction of
U= Strain energy
Pi.‟
=Change in moment w.r.t force

Subscripts:

h= horizontal

v= vertical

i= generalized

Symbols:
Fig-2: Castigliano‟s Theorem

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH IN EMERGING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, VOLUME-3, ISSUE-5, MAY-2016 E-ISSN: 2349-7610

As above this can also be expressed as:
……….. (1)
Castigliano's Theorem is employed to determine the deflection
in curved beam by a force of loading in a curved beam.
∫ ………. (2)
To calculate the vertical deflection caused by a force of
loading for the part the general equation of Castigliano‟s
theorem is modified to account for straight segment and
semicircular beam.
The total strain energy in the part consists of three
components;
1) Strain energy due to bending in AB, where ;

∫ ………. (3)
5. METHODOLOGY
2) Strain energy due to axial load in BC, where F = P;
The analytical method for finding horizontal and vertical
deflection using Castigliano‟s theorem is described below. ∫ ………. (4)

3) Strain energy due to bending in CD, where ;

∫ ………. (5)

According to Castigliano‟s theorem, the deflection in the

direction of force P is found as,

………. (6)

Now if strain energy is in form of integral it is better to take

the partial derivative with respect to load P before integrating
By simplifying we get,

∫ ∫ +∫ ……. (7)

………. (8)

∫
Fig-3: Hinge using semicircular beams
= ………. (9)
The calculation of deflection must be broken into three parts;
∫ ( ) ………. (10)
1) Integral for semicircular beam A-B

2) Integral for straight member B-C ∫ ………. (11)

3) Integral for semicircular beam C-D

The integration of semicircular beam is bound by 0-π because

it is semicircular and integration of straight member is bound ………. (12)

by zero at base C and till length L.

5.2 Horizontal Deflection:
5.1 Vertical Deflection:

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH IN EMERGING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, VOLUME-3, ISSUE-5, MAY-2016 E-ISSN: 2349-7610

For horizontal deflection consider dummy load H at a point in

desired direction and obtain an expression for total strain due
( )
to all loads acting on member including dummy load. ∫

Now the total strain energy in part consists of three

………. (20)
components;

1) Strain energy due to bending in AB due to load P and H,

( )
Where ( ) ………. (21)

∫ ………. (13)

2) Strain energy due to bending in BC due to load H, where 6. ANALYTICAL CALCULATIONS

( ) and due to axial load in BC, where F = P
DATA : R=75mm, L=450mm, E=70 ×103, I=32mm4 ,
Now for dummy load H at a point in desired direction, obtain A=24mm2

an expression for total strain due to all loads acting on member

Sr.No. Load Horizontal Vertical
including dummy load.
Deflection Deflection
(N)
∫ ∫ ………. (14) (mm) (mm)

1 1 3.01 0.59
3) Strain energy due to bending in CD due to load P and H,

2 2 6.02 1.18
Where ( )

3 3 9.04 1.77
∫ ………. (15)
4 4 12.05 2.36
Now according to Castigliano‟s theorem, deflection in
direction of force H is found as, 5 5 15.06 2.95

………. (16) Table-1: Calculation Table

By simplifying we get,

7. ANSYS VALIDATION
∫ ∫ ∫

∫ ………. (17)

( )
∫

………. (18)

For solving all integration, first taking partial derivative and

then let H equals to zero, as it is dummy.

∫ ( ) ∫ ( ) ………. (19)

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH IN EMERGING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, VOLUME-3, ISSUE-5, MAY-2016 E-ISSN: 2349-7610

Fig-4: Horizontal Deflection for 2N force Fig-7: Vertical Deflection for 3N force

8. RESULT TABLE

Sr.No. Load Horizontal Deflection Vertical Deflection

(N) (mm) (mm)

Analytical Ansys Analytical Ansys

1 1 3.01 2.79 0.59 0.53

2 2 6.02 5.58 1.18 1.15

3 3 9.04 8.37 1.77 1.73

Fig-5: Horizontal Deflection for 3N force 4 4 12.05 11.17 2.36 2..15

5 5 15.06 13.96 2.95 2.69

Table-2: Result Table

Fig-6: Vertical Deflection for 2N force

Fig-8: Horizontal Deflection vs. Load

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH IN EMERGING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, VOLUME-3, ISSUE-5, MAY-2016 E-ISSN: 2349-7610

analytical horizontal and vertical deflection are 9.04mm and

1.77mm respectively.

4) For 2N load,ansys results horizontal and vertical deflections

are 5.58mm and 1.15mm respectively. For 3N load, ansys
results horizontal and vertical deflections are 8.37mm and
1.73mm respectively.

5) The results of analytical solutions are in close match with

results obtained from approach of ansys. The error in both
results is 7-9% only.

Fig-9: Vertical Deflection vs. Load REFRENCES

[1] Horacio Ahuett-Garzaa, et.al “Studies about the use of

semicircular beams as hinges in large deflection planar
9. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION compliant mechanism.” Precis Engineering 38(2014);711-727.

Sr. Lo Horizontal % Vertical % [2] Tadashi Horibke et.al “In-plane and out of plane deflection
of J shaped beams,” Journal of Mechanical engineering &
No. ad Deflection Error Deflection Error
automation 2015, S(1);14-19
in in
(N) (mm) (mm)
Horiz Vertic [3] Clive L.Dym et.al “ End loaded shallow curved beams,”
ontal al Journal of structural engineering july2011 137(7);782784
Analyt Ansys Anal Ansys
Defle Deflect
ical ytica [4] L.L Howell et.al “Parametric deflection approximations for
ction ion end loaded large deflection beams in compliant
l
mechanisms,” ASME vol.117 March 1995;117(1);156;65
1 1 3.01 2.79 7.30 0.59 0.53 9.06
[5] Tore Dahlberg “Procedure to calculate deflections of
2 2 6.02 5.58 7.30 1.18 1.15 2.60 curved beams,” International journal of engineering Ed.
Vol.20, No.3, pp. 503-513, 2004
3 3 9.04 8.37 7.41 1.77 1.73 2.25
[6] Gere and Timoshenkos “Mechanics of materials,” second
edition, pp. 656-657.
4 4 12.05 11.17 7.30 2.36 2..15 8.81

5 5 15.06 13.96 7.30 2.95 2.69 8.71

Table-3: Conclusion Table

9.1 Conclusion

1) Strain energy method(Castigliano‟s theorem) is successfully

used to determine the deflection of curved beam.

2) From analytical values it was observed that, as the load

increases horizontal and vertical deflections both increase
significantly.

3) The horizontal deflection is more compared to vertical

deflection.For 2N load analytical horizontal and vertical
deflections are 6.02mm and 1.18mm respectively. For 3N load

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