UNIT IV – DEFLECTION OF DETERMINATE BEAMS

Introduction
From the previous chapters it is known that lateral loads applied
to a beam not only give rise to internal flexural and shear stresses
in the bar, but also cause the bar to deflect in a direction normal
to its longitudinal axis. It is the purpose of this chapter to
examine methods for calculating the deflections.

The deformation of a beam is in general expressed as a function

of the deflection of the beam from its original non-deformed
position prior to loading. The deflection is relative measurement
from the original neutral surface to the neutral surface of the
deformed beam. The configuration assumed by the deformed
neutral surface is known as the elastic curve of the beam. Fig. 4.1
represents the beam in its original non-deformed state and Fig.
4.2 represents the resultant deformed configuration the beam has
assumed under the action of the load.

Fig. 4.1 Non-deformed state Fig. 4.2 Deformed state

The displacement ‘y’ is defined as the deflection of the beam.

Often, it will be necessary to determine the deflection y for every
value of ‘x’ along the length of beam. This relation is the elastic
curve or deflection curve of the beam.

Codal specifications for the design of beams frequently impose

limitations upon the deflections as well as the stresses. It is
essential that the structural designer must be able to compute
deflections with desirable accuracy. For example, in many
building codes the maximum allowable deflection of a beam is



not to exceed   of the length of the beam. Thus, a well-

designed beam must not only be able to carry the loads (in
accordance with limit state of strength) to which it will be
subjected but it must also not undergo violate the limit state of
serviceability undesirably large deflections.
Methods of determining beam deflections

Numerous methods are available for the determination of beam

deflections. The most commonly used are the double-integration
method and the method of singularity functions (discussed in
next following pages). It is to be carefully noted that all methods
apply only if all portions of the beam are loaded to act in the
elastic range of action.

Apart from the methods mentioned, common methods for

computing deflection may be listed as moment area method,
strain energy method, conjugate beam method, etc.
Differential equation of flexure

Consider a beam AB which is initially horizontal when unloaded.

If this deflects to a new position A’B’ under the action of load,
the slope at any point C is

Fig. 4.3. Unloaded beam AB deflected to A’B’ under load

From the Fig 4.3, it is evident that the magnitude of slope
corresponds to a small value, and for small curvatures the length
of sector is the product of subtended angle (i.e. slope di) and
radius of curvature (R),

 ×
1
;  


1
∴ ≈
 
From simple bending theory, we know that
 1
 
      !"  #$ ,

& )* +
'( ),*

The above equation is commonly referred to as the basic

differential equation for the deflection of beams.

Relation between deflection, slope, applied load, shear force and

bending moment

If the beam is now assumed to carry a distributed loading which

varies in intensity over the length of the beam, then a small
element of the beam of length dx will be subjected to the loading
condition shown in Fig. 4.4. The parts of the beam on either side
of the element EFGH carry the externally applied forces, while
reactions to these forces are shown on the element itself.
Fig. 4.4 Beam subjected the load varying over length (assumed uniform over
small length dx

Thus for vertical equilibrium of EFGH,

- . /- 0 -1 2×

- 2× or w dq / dx

:! ;$ ;, - <2 ×

For rotational equilibrium, moments about any point must be

zero. By taking moments about F,

/ . 1 .-× .2× ×
2
Neglecting the negligible product of differential terms,

 -×  -

:! ;$ ;,  <- ×

The results can be summarized as follows,

>?@ 

@!,


A ; ,   × 

 
ℎ$ ?, -  × 

- D
C!!@  @$ , 2  × D

In order that the above results should agree algebraically, i.e. that
positive slopes shall have the normal mathematical interpretation
of the positive sign and that bending moment and shear force
conventions are consistent with those introduced in previous
chapters, it is imperative that the sign convention illustrated in
Fig. 4.5. be adopted for convenience.

However, conversely it must be noted that the sign conventions

are not universal and the only requirement is the consistency in
their respective adoptions.
Fig. 4.5 Sign conventions for deflections, slope, bending moment, shear force
and applied loads

Macaulay’s Method or method of singularity functions

The simple method of integration can only be used when a single

expression for bending moment applies along the complete length
of the beam. In general, this is not the case, and the method has to
be adapted to cover all loading conditions. Consider, therefore, a
small portion of a beam in which, at a particular section A, the
shearing force is Q and the B.M. is M, as shown in Fig. 4.6. At
another section B, distance ‘a’ along the beam, a concentrated
load W is applied which will change the B.M. for points beyond
B.
 Fig. 4.6. Beam with representative section A and B

For a section between A-B, the moment equation is


  × 
.-×


 × × .-× . E

2
 
 × × .-× . E
×
2 3
Beyond section B,

  × 
.-× 0 G × / 0 $1

 
 × × .-× 0G× .G×$× . E
2 2
HI HJ HJ HI
 × × .-× 0G× .G×$× . E × .
   
ED
Now from the compatibility criteria if the slopes at section B are
equated,
HI HI HI
× .-× 
. E
× .-× 
0 G× 
.
G×$× . E
At B, x = a
KI
E
0G × . G × $ . E


$
∴ E E
0 G ×
2
Substituting C3 in terms of C1 in the slope equation,
 
 × × .-× 0G× .G×$× . E
0 G
2 2
$
×
2

G
 × × .-× 0 / 0 $1 . E

2 2
Similarly, equating the deflections at section B at x=a and then
substituting C3 in terms of C1, we have

$ $
E
× $ . E 0G × . G × . E × $ . ED
6 2
$
∴ ED E . G ×
6
Now upon substitution of C1, C2 in deflection equation at section
beyond B in terms of obtained C3, C4 we have
 
/ 0 $1
 × × .-× 0G× . E
× . E
2 3 6
Upon inspection, it is evident that the generic method of
obtaining slopes and deflection (integration of the equation of
Bending Moment) holds good provided that the term G ×
/ 0 $1 is integrated with respect to (x-a) rather than x, The
example is successive.
 G/ 0 $1 G/ 0 $1
<
2 6
In addition, since the term W(x - a) applies only after the
discontinuity, i.e. when x > a, it should be considered only when
x > a or when (x - a) is positive. For these reasons such terms are
conventionally put into square or curly brackets and called
Macaulay terms or singularity functions.

Thus, Macaulay terms must be integrated with respect to

themselves as a singularity function and neglected when
negative.
For the whole beam, therefore the moment equation is

  × 
.-× 0 G × / 0 $1

Numerical examples

AHMH 15 0 20/ 0 31 . 10/ 0 61 0 30/ 0 101


20/ 0 31 10/ 0 61 30/ 0 101
 × 15 0 . 0
2 2 2 2
.C

20/ 0 31 10/ 0 61 30/ 0 101
 × 15 0 . 0
6 6 6 6
.C .A
At x = 0, y = 0; from which B = 0
At x = 12, y = 0; from which
 12 20/91 10/61 30/21
0 15 0 . 0 . C × 12
6 6 6 6
02210
12 C 02210; ∴ C 0184.2
12
The deflection y, at any point is given by

20/ 0 31 10/ 0 61 30/ 0 101
 × 15 0 . 0
6 6 6 6
0 184.2
At midspan, x = 6 m, Upon substitution we have

655.2 × 10

Macaulay method for UDL along with point load


AHMH K × 0 G
/ 0 $1 0 G / 0 1 0 2 ×
2
Upon integration,

G
/ 0 $1 G / 0 1 
 × K × 0 0 02× .C
2 2 2 6
G
/ 0 $1 G / 0 1
 D
 × K × 0 0 02× .C
6 6 6 24
× .A
At x = 0, y = 0; which results in B = 0
Also at x = L, y = 0; which results in

T G
/T 0 $1 G /T 0 1 TD
 × K × 0 0 02× .C
6 6 6 24
×T 0
From which,

T G
/T 0 $1 G /T 0 1 T
C 0K × . . .2×
6 6T 6T 24
The deflection at any point in the beam may be determined by
substitution of its distance ‘x’ from the support to the point under
consideration.

Note that Macaulay terms are integrated with respect to, for
example, (x-a) and they must be ignored when negative.
Substitution of end conditions will then yield the values of the
constants A and B in the normal way and hence the required
values of slope or deflection.

It must be appreciated, however, that once a term has been

entered in the B.M. expression it will apply across the complete
beam. The modifications to the procedure required for cases
when UDL are applied over part of the beam only.
Macaulay method to fixed beams

A beam of uniform section built in at each end and has a span of

20m. It carries a UDL of 8 kN/m on the left half together with a
point load of 120 kN at 15 m from the same end. Obtain
maximum deflection considering E=2×105 N/mm2 and I=5×103
mm4
In such problems for convenience, the UDL applied is extended
till the end support and a UDL of the same magnitude is assumed
to act along the previously extended span in the opposite
direction to negate the effect of extension.

/ 1 / 0 101
AHMH 0K . K 08 .8 0 120/ 0 151
2 2
/ 1
 / 0 101
 × 0K . K U V 0 4 .4
2 3 3
0 60/ 0 151 . C


WX
C 0, WH 0 ∴C 0

Upon further integration,

 
/ 1D / 0 101D
 × 0K U V . K U V0 .
2 6 3 3
0 20/ 0 151 . A

C 0, 0 ∴A 0
WX
Also at 20, WH
0

Upon substitution respectively, we have the equations


^  _ ` 0 ` 262 & 10 ` 0 ` 542

By solving the above equations, RA=84kN, MA=298kNm and

RB= 80+120-84 =116kN

Using the moment equation with x=20m, we have MB=420kNm.

As the value of point load exceeds UDL, it may be deduced that
point of zero slope lies between 10 and 15m. By substitution and
simplifying, the slope equation reduces to

 × 2 
. 102 0 1333 0& ∴ ≈ 10 
By substituting this value in the deflection equation,

 × 04230 bc
4230
∴ $  ?@  dKH ≈ 42.3