DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES:

CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD

Theory of Structures: Module 9

DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
• Conjugate Beam method is a method which basically
transforms a “real beam” into a “conjugate beam” by some
unique rules for transforming supports applicable only for this
method. The moment of the “real beam” will then be a
loading for the transformed “conjugate beam.” Usually, this
method uses Moment Diagram by parts and those moment
diagram will then become load diagrams for the “conjugate
beam.” The following comparisons and transformation will
then be used in the following theorems:
I. Theorem I: The slope at a point in the real beam is
numerically equal to the shear at the corresponding
point in the conjugate beam.
II. Theorem II: The displacement of a point in the real
beam is numerically equal to the moment at the
corresponding point in the conjugate beam.

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DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
• The first step we need to accomplish is drawing the moment
diagram of a beam. We can use a moment diagram by parts
by choosing a reference point of rotation. Usually, it is at the
end of a distributed load or at a point where we can
conveniently analyze the moment diagram.
• After drawing the moment diagram, we will now convert it
into a load diagram for our conjugate beam. All positive
moment will then be an upward positive load while negative
moments will be a downward negative load. Take whatever
the shape of a moment diagram and convert it into a
distributed load for the conjugate beam.

3
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: MOMENT AREA METHOD
• When drawing the conjugate beam it is important that
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. For
the comparison:
a. Pin (1) and roller (2) supports at the end of a real
beam provides a zero deflection and a non-zero
slope. Consequently, by theorems I and II, we need
a conjugate support that allows rotation (for the
slope) but doesn’t allow movement along y-axis (no
deflection). Conveniently, pin and roller also
provides the same reactions we needed. It means, if
the support at a real beam is a pin, then we can
maintain that pin as a support for our conjugate
beam. Same goes for our roller.

4
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: MOMENT AREA METHOD
• When drawing the conjugate beam it is important that
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. For
the comparison:
b. For a fixed support, zero displacement and zero
slope. Consequently, a “free end” must have zero
shear and moment. It means if the support of our
real beam is a fixed end, we need to change it to
a free end for our conjugate beam and vice versa.

5
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: MOMENT AREA METHOD
• When drawing the conjugate beam it is important that
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. For
the comparison:
c. For an internal pin or roller (or supports not at the
end) have no deflection but will produce a slope.
Consequently, a hinge support for conjugate beam
have shear reaction (counters movement: no
deflection) and have rotation (zero moment reaction:
allows slope)

6
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: MOMENT AREA METHOD
• When drawing the conjugate beam it is important that
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. For
the comparison:
d. Lastly, for a hinge, a non-zero slope and deflection
can be produced. For the conjugate support, a non-
end roller will have a shear reaction and moment
reaction (since it is not in the end of a beam).

7
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: MOMENT AREA METHOD
• Here are some examples of
transforming a “real beam”
to a “conjugate beam”

8
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
• After transforming a “real beam” to a “conjugate
beam” load the moment diagram from the real beam
into the conjugate beam as its loading diagram. After
which, determine the reactions at the support.
Ultimately, we can now determine a shear at a point
which will be the slope of that point while the moment
at that point will become the deflection. All of course
must be divided by 𝐸𝐸 � 𝐼𝐼

9
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example:
1. Determine the slope and deflection at point B of the steel beam
shown in the figure. The reactions are already given. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 800𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4

• Since our beam is not that complicated. We can use a simple

moment diagram only.
• We now need to transform this into a conjugate beam and load Moment Diagram
the moment diagram as its loading. The fixed end at A will be −75𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
converted into a free end and the free end at B will be a fixed
support.
• Next, load the moment diagram as a load of the conjugate
beam.
• We can now determine the shear and moment at point B of the
conjugate beam that will then become our slope and deflection
at point B of our real beam. −75𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

10
 DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example:
1. Determine the slope and deflection at point B of the steel beam
shown in the figure. The reactions are already given. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 800𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4
• In determining the Shear and Moment of a specific point, we can use our
classic shear and moment diagram. But we can also use equation method using
the equations of equilibrium. For this problem, cut the conjugate beam just to
the left of the fixed conjugate support, exposing the internal shear and
moment for this point.
• Note that usually, when considering a left part of beam, a downward shear
assumption is made (to rotate the beam clockwise) and a counterclockwise
moment (like making a smiling beam).
• 𝛴𝛴𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = 0 +↑ 1
−75𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = × −75 × 15 = −562.5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
2
−562.5kips � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 − 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵′ = 0 2

𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵′ = −562.5kips � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2

• For the slope:
2
2 12𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵′ −562.5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘ps � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 ×
𝜃𝜃𝐵𝐵 = = 1 = −0.00349 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 (clockwise slope)
𝐸𝐸 � 𝐼𝐼 29(103 ) × 800
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DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example:
1. Determine the slope and deflection at point B of the steel beam
shown in the figure. The reactions are already given. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 800𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4

• 𝛴𝛴𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 0 +↷
−(562.5kips � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2 × 25𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓) − 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵′ = 0
𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵′ = −14062.5kips � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 3
• For the deflection:
3
12𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵′ −14062.5kips � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 3
×
1
𝛿𝛿𝐵𝐵 = = = −1.047 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
𝐸𝐸 � 𝐼𝐼 29(103 ) × 800 1
−75𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = × −75 × 15 = −562.5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
2
• Negative deflection indicates downward deflection.

12
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example: 48𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2. Determine the displacement of the pin at B and the slope of each
beam segment connected to the pin for the compound beam. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 30𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4

• First, determine the reactions by analyzing segment AB and BC 6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘

separately. The reactions we can get are:
2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 39𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 78𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
• For the conjugate beam, the Fixed support at A will become a free end,
the internal hinge at B will become a roller and the roller at C remains
as a roller.
• We can now provide a moment diagram by parts by using a point as a
reference point of rotation. We can choose among points A, B or C. Let
us pick point A as a reference point. Draw moment diagrams when
forces rotate at point A. −30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

−8𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 12𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = −96𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

13
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example: 48𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2. Determine the displacement of the pin at B and the slope of each
beam segment connected to the pin for the compound beam. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 30𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4

• By equations of equilibrium, we can solve for the reactions at the 6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
conjugate beam:
2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 39𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 78𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
• After determining the reactions, we can now solve for the slope and
deflection. The elastic curve of the beam will then be: 3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2

−30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

228.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
−8𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 12𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = −96𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

14
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example: 48𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2. Determine the displacement of the pin at B and the slope of each
beam segment connected to the pin for the compound beam. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 30𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4
• For the slope of the segment BC, we will cut a section just to the right of 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
point B. We can use either the left portion or the right portion. Since the 6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
right portion is less complicated, I will be using the right portion
2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 39𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 78𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
• Isolating the right portion, an internal shear force and moment will be
exposed 3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2

• The downward distributed force still has a value of −30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

• The height of the upward triangular distributed load can be determine
by ratio ang proportion of similar triangles. −30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
• Converting to concentrated load. 225𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
228.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
� 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
−8𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 12𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = −96𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝑅𝑅)

−30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝑅𝑅)
15
450𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example: 48𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2. Determine the displacement of the pin at B and the slope of each
beam segment connected to the pin for the compound beam. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 30𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4
• We can now solve for the shear at the point just to the right of B’ 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• 𝛴𝛴𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = 0 +↑
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵′(𝑅𝑅) + 225 − 450 − 3.6 = 0 → 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵′ = 228.6kips � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 39𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 78𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2 12𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 2 3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵′ 228.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘ps � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 ×
𝜃𝜃𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝑅𝑅) = = 1 = 0.03783 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
𝐸𝐸 � 𝐼𝐼 29(103 ) × 30

−30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
225𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
228.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
� 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
−8𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 12𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = −96𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝑅𝑅)

−30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝑅𝑅)
16
450𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example: 48𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2. Determine the displacement of the pin at B and the slope of each
beam segment connected to the pin for the compound beam. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 30𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4
• For the deflection: 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• 𝛴𝛴𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 0 +↷
𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵𝐵 + −225 × 5 + 450 × 7.5 + 3.6 × 15 = 0 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 39𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 78𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵′ = −2304kips � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 3 3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
3 12𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 3
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵′ −2304𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘ps � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 ×
𝛿𝛿𝐵𝐵′ = = 1
𝐸𝐸 � 𝐼𝐼 3
29(10 ) × 30
𝛿𝛿𝐵𝐵′ = −4.576 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 −30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
225𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
228.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
� 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
−8𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 12𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = −96𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝑅𝑅)

−30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝑅𝑅)
17
450𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example: 48𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2. Determine the displacement of the pin at B and the slope of each
beam segment connected to the pin for the compound beam. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 30𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4
• For the slope of the segment AB, we now cut a section just to the left of 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
point B. We still can use either the left portion or the right portion. 6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
Again, the right portion is less complicated so I will be using the right
portion of the beam. 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 39𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 78𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

• Since we consider a point just to the left of B’, the reaction at B’ will be 3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
considered in the section.
• Exposing the internal shear force and moment.
−30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
225𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
228.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
� 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
� 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2 −8𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 12𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = −96𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝐿𝐿)

𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝐿𝐿) 450𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2

18
228.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example: 48𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2. Determine the displacement of the pin at B and the slope of each
beam segment connected to the pin for the compound beam. Let 𝐸𝐸 =
29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 and 𝐼𝐼 = 30𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4
• Determine the Shear force at the point just to the left of B’. 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• 𝛴𝛴𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = 0 +↑
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵′(𝐿𝐿) + 228.6 + 225 − 450 − 3.6 = 0 → 𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵′ = 0 2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 39𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 78𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑉𝑉 ′ 0 3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
𝜃𝜃𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝐿𝐿) = 𝐵𝐵 = =0
𝐸𝐸 � 𝐼𝐼 29(103 ) × 30

−30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
225𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
228.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
� 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 3.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
� 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2 −8𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 × 12𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = −96𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑉𝑉𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝐿𝐿)

𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵𝐵(𝐿𝐿) 450𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2

19
228.6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example:
3. The girder shown in the figure is made of a continuous beam and reinforces at its
center with cover plates where its moment of inertia is large. The 12 ft end
segments have a moment of inertia of 𝐼𝐼 = 450𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4 and the center portion has a
moment of inertia of 𝐼𝐼′ = 900𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4 . Determine the deflection at the center C. Take
𝐸𝐸 = 29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘.
• Drawing the moment diagram.
• Converting the real beam to conjugate beam and the real moment diagram
to conjugate load diagram. Note that the moment of inertia in the center
portion is twice the value for the rest of the beam so we can divide our real
moment diagram/conjugate load diagram in the center portion.
• Determining the reactions:
• We can cut a section at point C and analyze either portions of the beam.

20 1116/𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
1116/𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
 DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example:
3. The girder shown in the figure is made of a continuous beam and reinforces at its
center with cover plates where its moment of inertia is large. The 12 ft end
segments have a moment of inertia of 𝐼𝐼 = 450𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4 and the center portion has a
moment of inertia of 𝐼𝐼′ = 900𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖4 . Determine the deflection at the center C. Take
𝐸𝐸 = 29 103 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘.

• Isolating the left portion of the beam:

• 𝛴𝛴𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶′ = 0 +↷
−𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶′ + −1116 × 18 + 720 × 10 + 360 × 3 + (36 × 2) = 0
𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 ′ = −11736 kips � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 3
3 12𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 3
𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 ′ −11736 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘ps � 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 × 1
𝛿𝛿𝐶𝐶′ = =
𝐸𝐸 � 𝐼𝐼 29(103 ) × 450
𝛿𝛿𝐶𝐶′ = −1.554 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖

21 1116/𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
1116/𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example:
4. Determine the maximum deflection of the steel beam shown. Take
𝐸𝐸 = 200𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 and 𝐼𝐼 = 60(106 )𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚4 . Hint: the maximum deflection
occurs at zero slope same as the highest moment occurs at the point of
zero shear.

22
DEFLECTION OF STRUCTURES: CONJUGATE BEAM METHOD
Example:
5. Determine the deflection at point C of the beam. Take 𝐸𝐸 = 200𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺
and 𝐼𝐼 = 830(106 )𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚4 .

23