Principle of Virtual Work Week 3

COURSE CODE: CVE 321

COURSE TITLE: THEORY OF STRUCTURES II

TOPIC: PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUAL WORK

WEEK 3 - 4

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 Principle of Virtual Work Week 3

PRINCIPLE OF VIRTUAL WORK

The principle of virtual work was developed by John Bernoulli in 1717 and is sometimes
referred to as the unit-load method. It provides a general means of obtaining the displacement
and slope at a specific point on a structure, be it a beam, frame or truss. The method of virtual
work can be used to determine the displacement of truss joint when the truss is subjected to
an external loading, temperature change or fabrication errors.

CASTIGLIANO’S THEOREM

In 1879 Alberto Castigliano outlined a method for determining the deflection or slope at a
point in a structure, be it a truss, beam or frame. This method which is also referred to
Method of least work applies only to structures that have constant temperature, unyielding
supports and linear elastic material response.

1st Theorem:
W1 W2 W3 W4
Consider a bar above with applied load W1 to
W4 and the deflections under each load to be y1
y1 Y2 Y3 Y4
to y4 respectively.

The external work done by the gradually applied

load: U = [ + + + ]

W1 W3+δW3
W2 W4

Y1 Y2 Y4
y3

δy4
δy2 δy3
δy1
Increase in the external work done.
0
δu = + + + +

Total Workdone = u + δu [First Approach]

Assuming, loads are applied gradually from the onset as:

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W1 W2 W3+δW3 W4 Total Workdone U = ∑

= [ ( + )+ ( + )+

Y4+δy4 ( + )( + )+ ( + )]
Y1+δy1
Y2+δy2 y3+δy3

= [ + + + ] + [ + + + ]+

1
2

Total Workdone = U + +

.: = [1st Theorem]

It states that the displacement of the point of application of any load along the line of action
of the load equals the partial differential coefficient of the total strain energy with respect
to that load. It can also be expressed as:

For a linearly elastic structure, the partial derivative of the strain energy with respect to
any force quantity is equal to the displacement corresponding to that force.

Consider a truss as shown below

W2

W1
Recall Deflection at a point Δ = ∑
W3

= ∆=

D
Δ

Let F = Force in any one member due to the loading

L = Length of the member
A = Cross–sectional Area

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 Principle of Virtual Work Week 3

We apply an imaginary load w at the point D in the direction of the deflection.

Let Fw = Force in the chosen member due to w

Hence Fw = fwW

Where fw is the chosen member when W = 1

Total force in the chosen member F + Fw = F + fwW

Recall U = 2 [Strain Energy for each member]

( )
V= ∑ 2 => V=∑

Using Castigliano’s 1st Theorem

= Partial differentiation of V = Δ

( ).
∆ = = ∑

( ).
=∑

=∑ +∑

But W = 0 [Imaginary load]

∆ = ∑

Also Δ = ∫

2nd Theorem C
λ

A B
K

Fig. 1
D
L
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C
λ

R B’
A K B

Increase in Length of AK
D
Fig. 2

Distance AB = L as shown

Let member AK which is having a length of − have a cross-sectional area A

Assuming it is stretched to meet joint B as shown in Fig 2. As a result of the straining, forces
will be induced in all the members.

Let the force in member AK be R

E= ⁄ = ÷ ∆ ( − )

= ÷ ′
( − )

( )
KB’ =

( )
Final length of the member = AB’ = (L-λ) +

BB’ = L-AB’ = −[ − + − ]

But λ is very small and E is very large:. Ratio is negligible compared to

Hence BB’ = −[ − + ]

= −

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If force R is applied at B in the direction of A in the original frame by Castigliano’s 1st

Theorem, this deflection BB’ =

:. = −

Where U = strain energy in the original frame.

Recall strain Energy due to direct stress

( − )
=
2

Opening the Bracket, is negligible

= 2

Hence = =

Total Strain Energy in the redundant Structure, V = U +

:. = +

= − +

= λ

Finally Castigliano’s 2nd Theorem states that the partial differential coefficient of the total
strain Energy of a redundant structure with respect to the force in the redundant member is
equal to initial lack of fit in that member.

Application of Theorems

Consider a Single Redundant frame carrying a load W as shown. Assuming Member CE is

the redundant member and too short by a small amount λ.

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W
C D

A B
F E

If member CE is removed as shown below, the diagram becomes statically determinate.

1. Let force Fo = Force in any one member of the frame

2. Remove external load W and apply unit load in place of the redundant member.

3. Let the force in any one member of the frame as a result of the unit load equal to f.
4. Total force in any one member in the redundant frame equal to Fo + fR where R is the
actual force in the redundant member.

( )
Strain Energy = [due to direct stress]

( )
Total Strain Energy in redundant frame = V = ∑

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By Castigliano’s 2nd theorem which states = λ

( )
= ∑ = λ

λ = ∑ + R∑

∑
R =
∑

Where R is the actual force in the redundant member.

Assuming there is no initial lack of fit, λ = 0

−∑
Hence R = 2
∑

Summarily: The procedure for determining the forces in a singly redundant plane frame
is as follows:

1. Remove any one member and determine the forces in the statically determinate frame
Fo. (The member removed could be such that the frame as a rigid body remains
stable).
2. Remove External loading, apply unit load in place of the member removed and
determine the force in the frame. ( it is advisable that the sense of the unit forces
applied in the direction of the member should be in conformity with the direction of
the force that must be applied either to shorten or lengthen the member in other that it
may just fit the space provided for it by the general geometry of the frame)

3. Calculate and for each member and sum up in tabular form. Assigned

convention for tension and compression must be used.

−∑
4. Calculate the free in the selected member, R =
∑

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(If the final value of R is –ve, the assumed direction of the forces in the redundant
member is reversed)
5. Find the force in all other members from (Fo + fR) for each member.
Note: it may also be shown that in member subjected to B.M only.

∫
R =λ -
∫

where R could be a redundant reaction and λ a sinking support.

Example 1

Determine the forces in all the members of the frame shown. Assume that the length area
ratio is constant for all members which are of the same materials. Note that the diagonals are
not connected in their intersections.

B C

1.5m

A D
F E
30KN 60KN

1.5m 1.5m 1.5m

Example 2

Member CE of the frame showing beside has been made too long by 2.5mm, Members AB &
CD have a cross-sectional area of 3097.00mm2 and all other members with cross-sectional
area of 2322.66mm2. Find the forces in the members of the frame due to the load applied.
Take E = 209kN/mm2 .

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30KN 60KN
30KN B C

1.8m

A D
F E

1.8m 1.8m 1.8m

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