1

Module 3 : Deflections
Dr Yan Zhuge

CIVE3011 Structural
Analysis and Computer
Applications
2
Introduction
To learn how to determine the elastic
deflections of a structure
Two types of methods will be
discussed
Geometrical method
Energy method
Each of these methods has particular
advantages or disadvantages
3
Why to calculate the
deflections ?
To prevent cracking of attached
brittle materials
To make sure the structure not
deflect severely and to appear safe
for its occupants
To help analysing statically
indeterminate structures
4
Conjugate beam
method
Energy methods
Geometrical methods
To find out deflections
Moment-area
method
Castiglianos
theorem
New
New
New
Not covered by
this course
Learned
before
Double-integration
methods
Virtual work
method
5
Conjugate-beam Method
The method requires the same
amount of computation as the
moment-area theorems to determine
a beams slope or deflection.
However, the method relies only on
the principles of statics, its
application will be more familiar.
6
Using the similarity of
equations for
Beam Statics Beam deflection



Or integrating

}
= wdx V
}
= dx
EI
M
) ( u
} } (

= dx dx
EI
M
v ) (
| |
} }
= dx wdx M
Unit = kNm
2
/EI
Unit = kNm
3
/EI
7
Theorems
Theorem 1: The slope at a
point in the real beam is
numerically equal to the shear
at the corresponding point in
the conjugate beam.

Theorem 2: The displacement
of a point in the real beam is
numerically equal to the
moment at the corresponding
point in the conjugate beam.
8
Procedure for Analysis
Draw the conjugate beam for the real beam
with a proper boundary conditions
Load the conjugate beam with the real beams
M/EI diagram. This loading is directed
downward when M/EI is positive and upward
when M/EI is negative
Determine the statics of the conjugate beam:
reactions, Shear force and moments
Shear force V corresponds to the slope u of the
real beam, moment M corresponds to the
displacement v of the real beam.
9
Conjugate-Beam supports
The shear and moment developed at
the supports of the conjugate beam
account for the corresponding slope
and displacement of the real beam at
its supports.
10
REAL BEAM CONJUGATE BEAM






11
Conjugate beam Real beam



moment



displacement




shear force




slope

+
+
+

+
12
Example 1 Conjugate beam
Determine the maximum deflection of
the steel beam shown in the figure. E =
200 GPa, I = 60(10
6
) mm
4
.
A
9 m
8 kN
B
x
3 m
2 kN
6 kN
13
Example 1 Conjugate beam
8 kN
A
B
x
18kNm
A
B
x
18/EI
Conjugate Beam
Real Beam
45/EI
63/EI
Maximum deflection
occurs at the point
where the slope is zero
This corresponds to the
same point in the
conjugate beam where
the shear is zero
2 kN
6 kN
9 m
3 m
81/EI
27/EI
14
Example 1 Conjugate beam
A
B
x
18/EI
45/EI
63/EI
x
15
Virtual Work Method
The principle of work and energy is:

A P

o u
=
Work of
External Loads
Work of
Internal Loads
It provides a general means of obtaining
the displacement and slope at a specific
point on a structure: a beam, frame or
truss.
16
Virtual Work Method (Cont)








1. Apply a virtual unit load
P=1, acts in the same
direction as A. This
cause internal loading u










2. Apply the real loading P
1
,
P
2
, P
n
. This causes
displacement and
internal deformation dL.
Imaginary and does not actually
exist as part of the real loading
17
Virtual Work Equation




Where
P = 1 = external virtual unit load acting in the direction
of A
u = internal virtual load acting on the element in the
direction of dL
A = external displacement caused by the real loads
dL = internal deformation of the element caused by the
real loads

= A udL P'
Virtual loadings
Real
displacements
18
Method of Virtual Work:
Trusses
Procedure for analysis External Loading:
Apply virtual load P=1 on the structure in the direction of
required deflection
Calculate the internal load, ie, axial forces n in each
member due to the virtual load
Calculate the internal load, ie. Axial forces N in each
member due to the read load.
Apply the equation of virtual work:
If the resultant sum is positive, the
displacement A is in the same direction as the unit load.
Otherwise, A is opposite to the unit load.
) ( 1

= A
AE
NL
n

AE nNL/
19
Displacements due to
Temperature
Procedure for analysis:
Apply virtual load P=1 on the structure in the direction of
required deflection
Calculate the internal load, ie, axial forces n in each
member due to the virtual load
Deformation for each member due to change in
temperature is
Apply the equation of virtual work:
If any of the members undergoes an increase in
temperature, AT will be positive. Otherwise, AT is
negative.
) ( 1

A = A tL n o
tL dL A =o
20
Displacements due to
Fabrication Errors
Procedure for analysis:
Apply virtual load P=1 on the structure in the direction of
required deflection
Calculate the internal load, ie, axial forces n in each
member due to the virtual load
Deformation for each member due to a fabrication error
(lack of fit) is
Apply the equation of virtual work:
If a fabrication error increases in the length of a member,
AL is positive. Otherwise, AL is negative.
) ( 1

A = A L n
L dL A =
21
Example 2 truss displacement
The cross-sectional area of each member is A = 400 mm
2
and E
= 200 Gpa. (a) Determine the vertical displacement of joint C if
a 4 kN force is applied to the truss at C. (b) if no loads act on
the truss, what would be the vertical displacement of joint C if
member AB were 5 mm too short ?

Member n (kN) N (kN) L (m) nNL (kN
2
m)
AB 0.667 2 8 10.67
AC -0.833 2.5 5 -10.41
CB -0.833 -2.5 5 10.41
Member n (kN) N (kN) L (m) nNL (kN
2
m)
AB 0.667 2 8 10.67
AC -0.833 2.5 5 -10.41
CB -0.833 -2.5 5 10.41
Member Member n (kN) n (kN) N (kN) N (kN) L (m) L (m) nNL (kN
2
m) nNL (kN
2
m)
AB AB 0.667 0.667 22 88 10.67 10.67
AC AC -0.833 -0.833 2.5 2.5 55 -10.41 -10.41
CB CB -0.833 -0.833 -2.5 -2.5 55 10.41 10.41
22
Example 3 Temperature
Determine the vertical displacement of joint C of the truss. Due
to radiant heating from the wall, member AD is subjected to an
increase in temperature of T = +60C. Take = 1.08(10
-5
)/ C
and E = 200 GPa. The cross-sectional area of each member is
indicated in the figure.

No need to be
computed
23
Method of Virtual Work: Beams
and Frames
To compute A at A, a virtual unit load
acting in the direction of A is placed
on the beam at A
The internal virtual moment m is
determined by the method of sections
at an arbitrary location x from the left
support
When point A is displaced A, the
element dx deforms or rotates du =
(M/EI)dx
Here M is the internal moment at x
caused by the real loads
The external virtual work done by the
unit load is 1 A and the internal
virtual work done by the moment m is
m du =m(M/EI)dx.
Real loads
Virtual loads
du
24
Method of Virtual Work: Beams
and Frames
Procedure for analysis Bending effect only:
Apply virtual load P=1 or a unit couple moment on the
structure in the direction of required deflection or slope
Calculate the internal load, ie, moment m due to the virtual
load, expressed as a function of x
Calculate the internal load, ie. moment M due to the read
load, expressed as a function of x
Apply the equation of virtual work:

If the slope u is to be determined, the equation of virtual work
will become: where m
u
is the internal moment
due to a unit couple moment
dx
EI
mM
L
}
= A
0
1
dx
EI
M m
L
}
=
0
1
u
u
25
Simplified Method Using the Tables
Values of product integrals
}
L
mMdx
0
From Mechanics of materials,
3
rd
edition, Gere & Timoshenko
M
m
26
Simplified Method Using the Tables
Values of product integrals
}
L
mMdx
0
From Structural Analysis, SI
edition, Hibbeler
27
Example 4 beam deflection
Determine the deflection at point B of the steel
beam. E =200GPa, I = 500(10
6
) mm
4


12 kN/m
A
B
10 m
12 kN/m
A
B
10 m
Virtual Moment m
Real Moment M
mm m
EI
m kN
kN
dx
EI
x x
dx
EI
mM
kN
B
B
L
B
150 150 . 0
) 10 ( 15
. 1
) 6 )( 1 (
. 1
3 2 3
10
0
2
0
= = A
= A

= = A
} }
28
Example 5 beam deflection
3 kN
A
B
5 m 5 m
C
3 kN
A
B
5 m 5 m
C
Determine the slope u at point B of the steel beam.
E =200GPa, I = 60(10
6
) mm
4

Virtual Moment m
Real Moment M
29
Example 6 frame deflections
Determine the horizontal deflection at point C on the
frame. E = 200GPa and I = 235(10
6
) mm
4
.

2.4 m
3 m
60 kN/ m
30
Example 6 frame deflections

Virtual Moment m
Real Moment M