MECHANICS OF

MATERIALS
Third Edition
Ferdinand P. Beer
E. Russell Johnston, Jr.
John T. DeWolf

Lecture Notes:
J. Walt Oler
Texas Tech University
CHAPTER
2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
9
Deflection of Beams
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9 - 2
Deflection of Beams
Deformation of a Beam Under Transverse
Loading
Equation of the Elastic Curve
Example 9.01
Example 9.02
Direct Determination of the Elastic Curve
From the Load Distribution
Example 9.04
Sample 9.1
Using singularity functions to
determine the slope and deflection
of a beam

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9 - 3
Deformation of a Beam Under Transverse Loading
Relationship between bending moment and
curvature for pure bending remains valid for
general transverse loadings.
EI
x M ) ( 1
=

EI
Px
=

1
Curvature varies linearly with x
At the free end A, x=0,
= =
A
A

, 0
1
At the support B, x=L,
PL
EI
B
B
= =

, 0
1
A Cantilever beam AB of length L subjected
to concentrated load P at the free end A. We
have
M(x) = -Px. Then it become
x
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9 - 4
Deformation of a Beam Under Transverse Loading
Consider Overhanging beam AD support
concentrate load
Reactions at A and C (R
A
= 1kN an R
C
= 5 kN
Bending moment diagram
Curvature is zero at points where the bending
moment is zero, i.e., at each end and at E.
EI
x M ) ( 1
=

Between AE Beam is concave upwards where the

bending moment is positive and concave
downwards where it is negative at ED.
Maximum curvature occurs where the moment
magnitude is a maximum at the support C.
An equation for the beam shape or elastic curve
is required to determine maximum deflection
and slope.
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9 - 5
Deformation of a Beam Under Transverse Loading
From the information obtained its curvature,
we get fairly good idea of the shape of the
deformed beam.
The analysis and design of the beam require
more precise information on the deflection
and the slope of the beam at various points.
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Type 1. Equation of the Elastic Curve
From elementary calculus, simplified for beam
parameters,
2
2
2 3
2
2
2
1
1
dx
y d
dx
dy
dx
y d
~
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
+
=

Substituting and integrating,

( )
( )
( )
2
2
1
0
1 2
0 0
1
( )
( )
x
x x
d y
EI EI M x
dx
dy
EI EI M x dx C
dx
EI y dx M x dx C x C

u
| |
= =
|
\ .
~ = +
= + +
}
} }
The slope dy/dx = is
very small the
square negligible.
From
EI
x M ) ( 1
=

Where dy/dx = tan

= (x)
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9 - 7
Type 1. Equation of the Elastic Curve
( )
2 1
0 0
C x C dx x M dx y EI
x x
+ + =
} }
Constants are determined from boundary
conditions
Three cases for statically determinant beams,
Simply supported beam

0, 0
A B
y y = =
Overhanging beam
0 , 0 = =
B A
y y
Cantilever beam
0 , 0 = =
A A
y u
More complicated loadings require multiple
integrals and application of requirement for
continuity of displacement and slope.
deflection and slope.
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9 - 8
Example 9.01
The cantilever beam AB is of uniform cross
section and carries a load P at its free end A.
Determine the equation of the elastic curve
and the deflection and slope at A..
Using the free-body diagram of the portion AC
of the beam where C is located at a distance x
from end A, we find
M= -Px
EI d
2
y/dx
2
= - Px
Integrating in x, we obtain
EI dy/dx = - Px
2
+ C
1
We now observe that at fixed end B we have
x=L and = dy/dx = 0 and we get
C
1
= PL
2

Then EI dy/dx = - Px
2
+ PL
2
Integrating both member we write
EIy = -1/6 Px
3
+ PL
2
x + C
2





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9 - 9
Example 9.01
But at B we have x=L, y=0 and we have
0 = -1/6 PL
3
+ PL
3
+C
2
C
2
= -1/3 PL
3
Carrying the value of C
2

EIy = -1/6 Px
3
+ PL
2
x -1/3 PL
3

Or
y = P/6EI (-x
3
+ 3L
2
x 2L
3
)

The deflection and slope at A are obtained by
letting x=0. We find
y
A
= -PL
3
/3EI
and
A
= (dy/dx)
A
= PL
2
/2EI


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9 - 10
Example 9.02
The simply supported prismatic beam AB
carries a uniformly distributed load w per
unit length. Determine the equation of the
elastic curve and the maximum deflection of
the beam
M = wLx wx
2
EI d
2
y/dx
2
= - wx
2
+ wLx
Integrating twice in x, we have
EI dy/dx = -1/6 wx
3
+ wLx
2
+ C
1
EIy = -1/24 wx
4
+ 1/12 wLx
3
+ C
1
x + C
2
Observing that y=0 at both ends of the beam,
we first let x = 0 and y=0 and obtain C
2
=0.
We then make x=L and y=0 in the same
equation and write
0 = -1/24 wx
4
+ 1/12wLx
3
+ C
1
L
C
1
= 1/24wL
3


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9 - 11
Example 9.02
Carrying the value of C
1
and C
2
back we
obtain the equation of the elastic curve:
EIy = -1/24 wx
4
+ 1/12wLx
3
1/24wL
3
x
Or y = w/(24EI) (-x
4
+ 2Lx
3
L
3
x)
We check that the slope of the beam is zero
for x = L/2 and the elastic curve has a max at
the midpoint C of the beam
y
C
= w/(24EI)(-L
4
/16 + 2LL
3
/8 L
3
L/2)
= - 5wL
4
/384EI
The maximum deflection, the maximum
absolute value of the deflection is
/y/
max
= 5wL
4
/384EI
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9 - 12
Sample Problem 9.1
1.2m 4.5m kN 200
GPa 200 mm 10 300 101 360
4 6
= = =
= =
a L P
E x I W
For portion AB of the overhanging beam,
(a) derive the equation for the elastic curve,
(b) determine the maximum deflection,
(c) evaluate y
max
.
SOLUTION:
Develop an expression for M(x)
and derive differential equation for
elastic curve.
Integrate differential equation twice
and apply boundary conditions to
obtain elastic curve.
Locate point of zero slope or point
of maximum deflection.
Evaluate corresponding maximum
deflection.
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9 - 13
Sample Problem 9.1
SOLUTION:
Develop an expression for M(x) and derive
differential equation for elastic curve.
- Reactions:
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = + =
L
a
P R
L
Pa
R
B A
1
- From the free-body diagram for section AD,
( ) L x x
L
a
P M < < = 0
x
L
a
P
dx
y d
EI =
2
2
- The differential equation for the elastic
curve,
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9 - 14
Sample Problem 9.1
PaL C L C L
L
a
P y L x
C y x
6
1
6
1
0 : 0 , at
0 : 0 , 0 at
1 1
3
2
= + = = =
= = =
Integrate differential equation twice and apply
boundary conditions to obtain elastic curve.
2 1
3
1
2
6
1
2
1
C x C x
L
a
P y EI
C x
L
a
P
dx
dy
EI
+ + =
+ =
x
L
a
P
dx
y d
EI =
2
2
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
=
3 2
6 L
x
L
x
EI
PaL
y
PaLx x
L
a
P y EI
L
x
EI
PaL
dx
dy
PaL x
L
a
P
dx
dy
EI
6
1
6
1
3 1
6 6
1
2
1
3
2
2
+ =
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
= + =
Substituting, a) equation of
the elastic curve
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9 - 15
Sample Problem 9.1
Locate point of zero slope or point
of maximum deflection in portion AB
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
=
3 2
6 L
x
L
x
EI
PaL
y
L
L
x
L
x
EI
PaL
dx
dy
m
m
577 . 0
3
3 1
6
0
2
= =
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
= =
Evaluate corresponding maximum
deflection.
( ) | |
3
2
max
577 . 0 577 . 0
6
=
EI
PaL
y
EI
PaL
y
6
0642 . 0
2
max
=
( )( )( )
( )( )
4 6
2
max
m 10 300 200 6
4.5m 1.2m 200kN
0642 . 0

=
x GPa
y
mm 5.2
max
= y
Evalution of y
max
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9 - 16
2. Direct Determination of the Elastic Curve From
the Load Distribution
The equation of elastic curve can be obtained
EI
x M
dx
y d ) (
2
2
=
Differentiating both member with respect to x
3
3
1 ( ) d y dM V x
dx EI dx EI
| |
= =
|
\ .
And differentiating again
4
4
1 ( ) d y dV w x
dx EI dx EI
| |
= =
|
\ .
We conclude that when a prismatic beam
supports a distributed load w(x) its elastic curve
is governed by the forth order linear differential
equation
EI
x w
dx
y d ) (
4
4
=
Where dM/dx =V
and dV/dx = -w
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2. Direct Determination of the Elastic Curve From
the Load Distribution
( ) x w
dx
y d
EI
dx
M d
= =
4
4
2
2
( ) 1
3
3
) ( C dx x w x V
dx
y d
EI + } = =
( ) x w
dx
y d
EI
dx
M d
= =
4
4
2
2
Equation for beam displacement becomes
( ) x w
dx
y d
EI
dx
M d
= =
4
4
2
2
( ) ( )
4 3
2
2
2
1
3
1
6
1
C x C x C x C
dx x w dx dx dx x y EI
+ + + +
=
} } } }
Integrating four times yields
Constants are determined from boundary
conditions.
( ) 2 1
2
2
) ( C x C dx x w dx x M
dx
y d
EI + + } } = =
( ) 3 2
2
1 2 / 1 ) ( C x C x C dx x w dx dx x EI
dx
dy
EI + + + } } } = = u
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9 - 18
Example 9.04
( ) 1
3
3
C wx x V
dx
y d
EI + = =
Since w = constant
w
dx
y d
EI =
4
4
( ) 2 1
2
2
2
2 / 1 C x C wx x M
dx
y d
EI + + = =
The boundary condition require that M=0 at both end
of the beam we first let x=0 and M=0 and obtain c
2
=0.
We then make x =L and M=0 and obtain C
1
= wL
Carrying the value of C
1
and C
2

EI d
2
y/dx
2
= - wx
2
+ wLx
EI dy/dx = -1/6 wx
3
+ wLx
2
+ C
3
EIy = -1/24 wx
4
+ 1/12 wLx
3
+ C
3
x + C
4
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Example 9.04
But the bondary conditions also require that y=0 at both
end of the beam. Let x=0 and y=0, we obtain C
4
=0, let
x=L and y=0 in the same equation

EIy = -1/24 wx
4
+ 1/12 wLx
3
+ C
3
x + C
4

0 = -1/24 wL
4
+ 1/12 wLL
3
+ C
3
L
C
3
= -1/24 wL
3

We obtain the equation of elastic curve
y = w/24EI (-x
4
+ 2Lx
3
L
3
x)
The value of the maximum deflection is obtained by
making x =L/2.
We have
/y/max = 5wL
4
/384EI

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9 - 21
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9 - 22
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9 - 25
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9 - 26
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9 - 27
Type 3. Using singularity function
Let us consider the beam and loading and draw the free
Body diagram of the beam. We write
V(x) = P P x - L >
0

We have
M(x) = P x - P < x - L >
EI d
2
y/dx
2
= P x - P < x - L >

and integrating in x
EI = EI dy/dx = 3/8 Px
2
P <x L>
2
+ C
1

EIy = 1/8 Px
3
1/6 P <x - 1/4 L >
3
+ C
1
x + C
2

The constants C
1
and C
2
can be determined from. Let
x=0, y=0 and we have C
2
=0 in Eq.
Let x =L, y=0
0 = 1/8 PL
3
1/6 P (3/4 L)
3
+ C
1
L
C
1
=

-7PL
2
/128
EIy = 1/8 Px
3
1/6 P <x - 1/4 L >
3
- 7pL
2
/128 x


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9 - 28
Type 3. Using singularity function
For the beam and loading shown, determine
(a) the slope at end A,
(b) the deflection at point B,
(c) the deflection at end D


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9 - 29
Type 3. Using singularity function
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9- 30
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

Procedure is facilitated by tables of
solutions for common types of
loadings and supports.
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9- 31
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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9- 32
Sample Problem 9.7
Loading I
( )
EI
wL
I
B
6
3
= u ( )
EI
wL
y
I
B
8
4
=
Loading II
( )
EI
wL
II
C
48
3
= u ( )
EI
wL
y
II
C
128
4
=
In beam segment CB, the bending
moment is zero and the elastic curve is a
straight line.
( ) ( )
EI
wL
II
C
II
B
48
3
= = u u
( )
EI
wL L
EI
wL
EI
wL
y
II
B
384
7
2 48 128
4 3 4
=
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
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9- 33
Sample Problem 9.7
( ) ( )
EI
wL
EI
wL
II
B
I
B B
48 6
3 3
+ = + = u u u
( ) ( )
EI
wL
EI
wL
y y y
II
B
I
B B
384
7
8
4 4
+ = + =
EI
wL
B
48
7
3
= u
EI
wL
y
B
384
41
4
=
Combine the two solutions,
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Application of Superposition to Statically
Indeterminate Beams
Method of superposition may be applied
to determine the reactions at the
supports of statically indeterminate
beams.
Designate one of the reactions as
redundant and eliminate or modify
the support.
Determine the beam deformation without
the redundant support.
Treat the redundant reaction as an
unknown load which, together with
the other loads, must produce
deformations compatible with the
original supports.
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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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9- 36
Sample Problem 9.8
Distributed Loading:
( )
EI
wL
L L L L L
EI
w
y
w
B
4
3
3 4
01132 . 0
3
2
3
2
2
3
2
24
=
(
(

|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
=
At point B, L x
3
2
=
( ) | | x L Lx x
EI
w
y
w
B
3 3 4
2
24
+ =
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9- 37
Sample Problem 9.8
Redundant Reaction Loading:
EIL
b Pa
y a x
3
, At
2 2
= =
( )
EI
L R
L
L
EIL
R
y
B
B
R
B
3
2 2
01646 . 0
3 3
2
3
=
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
L b L a
3
1
3
2
and For = =
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9- 38
Sample Problem 9.8
From statics,
| = | = wL R wL R
C A
0413 . 0 271 . 0
For compatibility with original supports, y
B
= 0
( ) ( )
EI
L R
EI
wL
y y
B
R
B
w
B
3 4
01646 . 0 01132 . 0 0 + = + =
| = wL R
B
688 . 0
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9- 39
Sample Problem 9.8
( )
EI
wL
EI
wL
w
A
3 3
04167 . 0
24
= = u
( )
( )
EI
wL L
L
L
EIL
wL
EIL
b L Pb
R
A
3
2
2
2 2
03398 . 0
3 3 6
0688 . 0
6
=
(
(

|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
=

= u
( ) ( )
EI
wL
EI
wL
R
A
w
A A
3 3
03398 . 0 04167 . 0 + = + = u u u
EI
wL
A
3
00769 . 0 = u
Slope at end A,