Applications to Deformations in Structures

L δ
P2L PL
P U= ;δ =
2 AE AE
A

External Work done by forces on structure = internal Strain Energy

Consider the truss shown

at the right:
External Work =½F∆
where ∆ = deflection at
B.
All 7 members have same
AE (axial stiffness)
This assumes that the system is linear-elastic, and
therefore the deflection ∆ is a linear function of F.

Load, F

∆ , Deflection at B

The total strain energy stored in the system is the sum of the
individual strain energies in each of the truss members
numbered i=1 to 7.
7
Pi 2 Li
U =∑
i =1 2 Ei Ai
 Equating External Work to Internal Strain Energy:

1 7
Pi 2 Li
∆ F∆ = ∑
2 i =1 2 Ei Ai
B

1 7
Pi 2 Li
∆=
F
∑
i =1 Ei Ai

Since, in this case, EA is constant for all members,

1 7 2
∆B = ∑
FEA i =1
Pi L
Try it!
A lightweight aluminum truss,
E=70000 MPa, has a height,
Lo=1m, and is made of tubular
stock with a cross sectional area
of 250 mm2. Determine the
deflection at B when the load,
F=20kN.

OK!…..
1 7 2
Let’s use an Energy method! ∆B = ∑
FEA i =1
Pi L
 Solution:
Solve the truss using statics to determine the forces in each member:
Forces Length of Pi2Li
Members
P1=-F L1=L0 F2 L0
2
P2 = 2 F L2= 2L0 2 2F L0
P3=-F L3=L0 F2 L0
P4=-2F L4=L0 4F2 L0
2
P5 = 2 F L5= 2L0 2 2F L0
P6=F L6=L0 F2 L0
P7=0 L7=L0 0
Sum (7+4√ 2) F2 L0

Note: It doesn’t matter if the axial load is compressive or

tensile, both add to the total strain energy since the P
term is squared.
OK, already find the deflection….

∆=
( 7 + 4 2 ) FL0
EA

=
( )
7 + 4 2 (20000) N (1000)mm
mm
2 2
(70000) N / mm (250)mm
= 14.4mm

What is the maximum stress in the truss?

P4 =-2F=40kN (compression)
S=P/A = 40000/250 = 160 MPa
∴ assumptions about linear elasticity are OK, if Sy>160MPa
 Beam Elements:
F(x)

x
y z
dA
dx y
y
A beam that is symmetrical in x-section about the z-axis, is
subjected to bending. Consider a infinitesimal volume element
of length dx and area dA as shown. This element is subjected
to a normal stress: σ x=My/I 1
The Strain Energy Density on this element is: u = 2 σ xε x
1 2
For linear elastic material = σx
2E
 My
Substituting, σ x = and multiplying by the Volume of the element
I

M 2 y2
udxdA = 2
dxdA
2 EI
Hence, the Strain Energy for a slice of the beam, of width dx, is

dU = ∫ udxdA
A

M2
= ∫
2
2
dx y dA
2 EI A

x
∫
A
y 2 dA = I xx
M2
dU = dx
dx 2 EI
y
 Assumptions….
• There is no axial force on the element (case
of pure bending)
• The shear stress & strain on the element is
relatively small, and hence the contribution
of shear strain energy is negligible.
• These assumptions are generally valid for
long slender beams.
Strain Energy in Entire Beam
Consider the cantilever beam as shown

L F
x
δ
I
y
M= F(x-L)
U =∫
L [F (x −L )]2 dx
0 2 EI

F 2 L3
=
6 EI
 Deflection
L F
x Linear-elastic,
F∝δ
δ
I
y
1
External Work, W = Fδ = Strain Energy
2
2 3
F L
=
6 EI
3
FL
δ= Classical Solution
3EI
Try it! P
x
Determine Elastic
Strain Energy due to L/2 L/2
bending for simply
supported 3-point y
P/2
bending member of

Shear Force
constant X-section.
-P/2

For 0 ≤ x≤ L/2: M=Px/2

Moment PL/4

Note by symmetry we
can find the total strain
energy by doubling the
strain energy of the
LHS.
 L 2 L/2
M M2
U =∫ dx = 2 ∫ dx
0
2 EI 0
2 EI
L/2
P2 x2
=2∫ dx P
0
8 EI
2 3 L/2
P x
= L/2 ∆ B L/2
12 EI 0
2 3
y
P L
=
96 EI Determine ∆ B…….
 ∆ B can be determined by an energy method:.
Izz =bh3/12
1 P 2 L3
W = F∆ B =
2 96 EI z h=50mm
PL3
∴∆B =
48 EI y
b=20 mm
Find the Deflection for the x-section shown: L=2m, P=20 kN;
h=50mm, b=20mm, SAE1045 Steel, E=200,000 MPa, Sy=400MPa

Mc PL / 4( h / 2)
PL 3
20000(2000) 3 σx = =
∆B = = I zz (b)(h) 3 / 12
48 EI 48(200000)(50)(100)3 / 12 20000(2000) / 4(50 / 2)
=
= 4mm (50)(100) 3 / 12
= 60 MPa < Sy , OK
 Elastic Strain Energy due to Transverse
Shear Stress
1
y U = τ xyγ y a 3
2
τ 1
xy u = τ xyγ xy ; τ xy = Gγ xy
2
τ xy
2

=
x 2G
γ xy
δ = γ xy a
 Shear Strain Energy
F(x)

x
z
y

dA
1 τ xy
2
dx y
U = ∫ udV = ∫ dV
2 G
τ xy = T / dA;Where T = shear force
1 T2
U = ∫ 2 dAdx f is called a form factor:
2 AG Circle f=1.11
1 fT 2 Rectangle f=1.2
= ∫ dx Tube f=2.00
2 AG I section f=A/Aweb
Try it.
P
x
Determine Elastic
Strain Energy due to L/2 L/2
shear strain for simply
supported 3-point y
P/2
bending member of

Shear Force
constant X-section.
-P/2

For 0 ≤ x≤ L/2: T=P/2

Moment PL/4

Note by symmetry we
can find the total strain
energy by doubling the
strain energy of the
LHS.
 3T  y 2 
τ xy = 1 − 2 
2A  c  z h=2c
for rectangle x-section
y
A = 12 I / h 2 bmm Izz =bh3/12
2 2 2 2 A=bh
fP Lh 1.2 P Lh
Uτ = =
96GI 96GI

For most metals G≈ 0.4E we find that:

 3h 2 
U τ = U b  2  And for slender beam, L/h=10
L 
U τ = 0.03U b which may be neglected