Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)

SOLID MECHANICS II
BMCS 3333
ENERGY METHOD
Conservation of Energy

Energy Method (continue...)

Conservation of Energy.
Work and Energy Under Single Load.
Deflection Under a Single Load.

Conservation of Energy
A loading is applied slowly to a body, so that kinetic
energy can be neglected.
Physically, the external loads tend to deform the body as
they do external work Ue as they are displaced.
This external work is transformed into internal work or
strain energy Ui, which is stored in the body.
Thus, assuming materials elastic limit not exceeded,
conservation of energy for body is stated as,

Ue Ui

Conservation of Energy

Consider a truss subjected

to load P.

When load P is applied gradually,

then Ue = 1/2Px, where is vertical
displacement of the truss.

Assume that P develops an axial internal force F in a particular member,

and strain energy stored , Ui = F2L/2AE.

Summing strain energies for all members of the truss, we write axial strain
energy as,
1
F 2L
P.x
2
2 AE

Conservation of Energy

Consider a beam subjected to

load P. The External work done,
Ue = 1/2P.

Strain energy due to shear in

beam can be neglected.

Beams strain energy determined only by the moment M, thus

2
L M
1
P.
dx
0
2
2 EI

Conservation of Energy
Consider a beam loaded by
a torsional couple T. A
rotational displacement f is
caused. External work done is
Ue = 1/2T.
Thus equilibrium equation becomes
2
L T
1
T
dx
0
2
2GJ

Note that equilibrium equation is only applicable for a single

external force or external couple moment acting on structure or
member.

Work and Energy Under a Single Load

Strain energy may also be found from
the work of the single load P1,
x1

U P dx
0

For an elastic deformation,

Previously, we found the strain
energy by integrating the energy
density over the volume.
For a uniform rod,
2
U u dV
dV
2E
L

P1 A 2 Adx
2E

P12 L
2 AE

x1

x1

U P dx kx dx 12 k x12 12 P1x1

Knowing the relationship between

force and displacement,
PL
x1 1
AE
U

1P
2 1

P1L
P12 L

AE 2 AE

Work and Energy Under a Single Load

Strain energy also may be found from the work of other types of single
concentrated loads.
Transverse load

y1

P dy 12 P1 y1
0

3
2 3

P
L
P
L
12 P1 1 1
3EI
6 EI

Bending couple

U M d 12 M11
0

1M
2 1

M1L M12 L

EI
2 EI

Torsional couple

U T d 12 T11
0

1T
2 1

T1L T12 L

JG 2 JG

Maximum deflection, y1 and slope, can be obtained from Appendix D (text book)

Work and Energy Under a Single Load

Example:

The three-bar truss is subjected to a horizontal force of 20 kN.

If x-sectional area of each member is 100 mm2, determine the
horizontal displacement at point B. (Given E = 200 GPa.)

Work and Energy Under a Single Load

Solution:

Since only a single external force acts on the truss and required displacement
is in same direction as the force, we use conservation of energy.
Also, the reactive force on truss do no work since they are not displaced.
Using method of joints (static), force in each member is determined as shown
on free-body diagrams of pins at B and C.

Work and Energy Under a Single Load

Applying axial strain energy,

1
F 2L
P
2
2 AE

1
11.547 103 N 1 m 23.094 103 N 2 m 20 103 N 1.732 m
3
20 10 N B h

2
2 AE
2 AE
2 AE

B h 94640 N m
AE

Substituting in numerical data for A and E and solving, we get

B h

94640 N m

2
100 mm 2 1 m / 1000 mm 200 109 N/mm 2

4.73 10 3 m 4.73 mm

Deflection Under a Single Load

If the strain energy of a structure due to a
single concentrated load is known, then the
equality between the work of the load and
energy may be used to find the deflection.
Strain energy of the structure,
2
2
FBC
LBC FBD
LBD
U

2 AE
2 AE

From the given geometry,

LBC 0.6 l

LBD 0.8 l

From statics,
FBC 0.6 P

FBD 0.8P

P 2l 0.6 3 0.8 3
P 2l

0.364
2 AE
AE

Equating work and strain energy,

P2L 1
U 0.364
P yB
AE 2
y B 0.728

Pl
AE

Deflection Under a Single Load

11.18
Solution:

Deflection Under a Single Load

Solution:

Deflection Under a Single Load

Example:

Members of the truss shown consist of sections of aluminum

pipe with the cross-sectional areas indicated. Using E = 73
GPa, determine the vertical deflection of the point E caused by
the load P.

Deflection Under a Single Load

Solution:

Find the reactions at A and B from a freebody diagram of the entire truss.
Ax 21 P 8

Ay P

B 21 P 8

Apply the method of joints to determine

the axial force in each member.

FDE 17
P
8

FAC 15
P
8

FAD 54 P

FCE 15
P
8

FCD 0

FBD 21
8 P

FAB 0

Deflection Under a Single Load

Evaluate the strain energy of the

truss due to the load P.
Fi2 Li
1
Fi2 Li
U

Ai
2 Ai E 2 E

1
29700 P 2
2E

Equate the strain energy to the work by P

and solve for the displacement.
1 Py
E
2

2U 2 29700 P 2
yE

P
P
2 E

29.7 103 40 103

yE
73 10

y E 16.27 mm

Deflection Under a Single Load

Example:

Using the method of work and energy, determine the deflection

at point D caused by the load P.

Deflection Under a Single Load

Solution:

Deflection Under a Single Load

Deflection Under a Single Load

Exercise:

Deflection Under a Single Load

Deflection Under a Single Load

Exercise:

Using the method of work and energy, determine the deflection

at point D caused by the load P.

Deflection Under a Single Load

Deflection Under a Single Load

Exercise:

Deflection Under a Single Load