Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Deflection, in structural engineering terms, means the movement of a beam or node from its original position. It happens due to the forces and loads being applied to the body. Deflection also referred to as displacement, which can occur from externally applied loads or from the weight of the body structure itself. It can occur in beams, trusses, frames and basically any other body structure. In this article, we will discuss the beam deflection formula with examples. Let us learn it!

What is Beam Deflection?

Deflection is the degree to which a particular structural element can be displaced with the help of a considerable amount of load. It can also be referred to as the angle or distance. The distance of deflection of a member under a load is directly related to the slope of the deflected shape of the body under that load. It can be computed by integrating the function which is used to describe the slope of the member under that load.

The Beam is a long piece of a body that is capable to hold the load by resisting the bending. The deflection of the beam towards in a particular direction when force is applied to it is known as Beam deflection.

The beam can be bent or moved away from its original position. This distance at each point along the member is the representation of the deflection. There are mainly four variables, which can determine the magnitude of the beam deflections. These include:

  • How much loading is on the structure?
  • The length of the unsupported member
  • The material, specifically the Young’s Modulus
  • The Cross-Section Size, specifically the Moment of Inertia (I)

There is a variety of range of beam deflection equations that can be used to calculate a basic value for deflection in different types of beams. Generally, we calculate deflection by taking the double integral of the Bending Moment Equation means M(x) divided by the product of E and I (i.e. Young’s Modulus and Moment of Inertia).

The unit of deflection, or displacement, will be a length unit and normally we measure it in a millimetre. This number defines the distance in which the beam can be deflected from its original position.

The formula for Beam Deflection:

Cantilever beams are the special types of beams that are constrained by only one given support. These types of objects would naturally deflect more due to having support at one end only. To calculate the deflection of the cantilever beam we can use the below equation:

D= \( \frac{WL^3}{3EI} \)

Where,

D Beam deflection W Force at one end L Length of beam E Young’s Modulus I Moment of Inertia

Solved Examples

Q: Calculate the deflection of a cantilever beam of length 2 meter which has support at one end only. Young’s modulus of the metal is \( 200\times 10^9\) and the moment of inertia is 50 Kg m². At the end force applied is 300 N.

The conjugate beam method, developed by Heinrich Muller-Breslau in 1865, is one of the methods used to determine the slope and deflection of a beam. The method is based on the principle of statics.

A conjugate beam is defined as a fictitious beam whose length is the same as that of the actual beam, but with a loading equal to the bending moment of the actual beam divided by its flexural rigidity, \(EI\).

The conjugate beam method takes advantage of the similarity of the relationship among load, shear force, and bending moment, as well as among curvature, slope, and deflection derived in previous chapters and presented in Table 7.2.

\(Table 7.2\). Relationship between load-shear-bending moment and curvature-slope-deflection.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Supports for Conjugate Beams

The supports for conjugate beams are shown in Table 7.3 and the examples of real and conjugate beams are shown in Figure 7.4.

\(Table 7.3\). Supports for conjugate beams.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Table 7.4\) Real beams and their conjugate.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Sign Convention

For a positive curvature diagram, where there is a positive ordinate of the \(\frac{M}{E I}\) diagram, the load in the conjugate should point in the positive \(y\) direction (upward) and vice versa (see Figure 7.14).

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. 7.14\). Positive curvature diagram.

If the convention stated for positive curvature diagrams is followed, then a positive shear force in the conjugate beam equals the positive slope in the real beam, and a positive moment in the conjugate beam equals a positive deflection (upward movement) of the real beam. This is shown in Figure 7.15.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. 7.15\). Shear and slope in beam.

Procedure for Analysis by Conjugate Beam Method

•Draw the curvature diagram for the real beam.

•Draw the conjugate beam for the real beam. The conjugate beam has the same length as the real beam. A rotation at any point in the real beam corresponds to a shear force at the same point in the conjugate beam, and a displacement at any point in the real beam corresponds to a moment in the conjugate beam.

•Apply the curvature diagram of the real beam as a distributed load on the conjugate beam.

•Using the equations of static equilibrium, determine the reactions at the supports of the conjugate beam.

•Determine the shear force and moment at the sections of interest in the conjugate beam. These shear forces and moments are equal to the slope and deflection, respectively, in the real beam. Positive shear in the conjugate beam implies a counterclockwise slope in the real beam, while a positive moment denotes an upward deflection in the real beam.

Example 7.11

Using the conjugate beam method, determine the slope and the deflection at point \(A\) of the cantilever beam shown in the Figure 7.16a. \(E = 29,000 \mathrm{ksi}\) and \(I = 280 \mathrm{in.}^{4}\)

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. 7.16\). Conjugate beam.

Solution

(\(M/EI\)) diagram. First, draw the bending moment diagram for the beam and divide it by the flexural rigidity, \(EI\), to obtain the \(\frac{M}{E I}\) diagram shown in Figure 7.16b.

Conjugate beam. The conjugate beam loaded with the \(\frac{M}{E I}\) diagram is shown in Figure 7.16c. Notice that the free end in the real beam becomes fixed in the conjugate beam, while the fixed end in the real beam becomes free in the conjugate beam. The \(\frac{M}{E I}\) diagram is applied as a downward load in the conjugate beam because it is negative in Figure 7.16b.

Slope at \(A\). The slope at \(A\) in the real beam is the shear at \(A\) in the conjugate beam. The shear at \(A\) in the conjugate is as follows:

\(V_{A}=\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)(12)\left(\frac{36}{E I}\right)=\frac{216 \mathrm{k}-\mathrm{ft}^{2}}{E I}\)

The same sign convention for shear force used in Chapter 4 is used here.

Thus, the slope in the real beam at point \(A\) is as follows:

\(\theta_{\mathrm{A}}=\frac{216 \mathrm{k}-\mathrm{ft}{2}}{E I}=\frac{216(12){2}}{(29,000)(280)}=0.0038 \mathrm{rad}\)

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Deflection at \(A\). The deflection at \(A\) in the real beam equals the moment at \(A\) of the conjugate beam. The moment at \(A\) of the conjugate beam is as follows:

\(M_{A}=-\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)(12)\left(\frac{36}{E I}\right)\left(\frac{2}{3} \times 12\right)=-\frac{1728 \mathrm{k}-\mathrm{ft}^{3}}{E I}\)

The same sign convention for bending moment used in Chapter 4 is used here.

Thus, the deflection in the real beam at point \(A\) is as follows:

\(\Delta_{\mathrm{A}}=-\frac{1728(12)^{3}}{(29,000)(280)}=-0.37 \mathrm{in} \quad \Delta_{A}-0.37 \mathrm{in} \downarrow\)

Example 7.12

Using the conjugate beam method, determine the slope at support \(A\) and the deflection under the concentrated load of the simply supported beam at \(B\) shown in Figure 7.17a.

\(E = 29,000 \mathrm{ksi}\) and \(I = 800 \mathrm{in.}^{4}\)

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. 7.17\). Simply supported beam.

Solution

(\(M/EI\)) diagram. First, draw the bending moment diagram for the beam and divide it by the flexural rigidity, \(EI\), to obtain the moment curvature (\(\frac{M}{E I}\)) diagram shown in Figure 7.17b.

Conjugate beam. The conjugate beam loaded with the \(\frac{M}{E I}\) diagram is shown in Figure 7.17c. Notice that \(A\) and \(C\), which are simple supports in the real beam, remain the same in the conjugate beam. The \(\frac{M}{E I}\) diagram is applied as an upward load in the conjugate beam because it is positive in Figure 7.17b.

Reactions for conjugate beam. The reaction at supports of the conjugate beam can be determined as follows:

\(A_{y}=B_{y}=-\frac{1}{E I}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)(30)(180)(0.5)=-\frac{1350 \mathrm{k} . \mathrm{ft}^{2}}{E I} \text { due to symmetry in loading }\)

Slope at \(A\). The slope at \(A\) in the real beam is the shear force at \(A\) in the conjugate beam. The shear at \(A\) in the conjugate beam is as follows:

\(V_{A}=-\frac{1350 \mathrm{k} \cdot \mathrm{ft}^{2}}{E I}\)

Thus, the slope at support \(A\) of the real beam is as follows:

\(\theta_{A}=-\frac{1350 \mathrm{k} \cdot \mathrm{ft}{2}}{E I}=-\frac{1350(12){2}}{(29,000)(800)}=-0.0084 \mathrm{rad}\)

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Deflection at \(B\). The deflection at \(B\) in the real beam equals the moment at \(B\) of the conjugate beam. The moment at \(B\) of the conjugate beam is as follows:

\(M_{B}=\frac{1}{E I}\left[-(1350)(15)+\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)(15)(180)\left(\frac{15}{3}\right)\right]=-\frac{13500 \mathrm{k} \cdot \mathrm{ft}^{3}}{E I}\)

The deflection at \(B\) of the real beam is as follows:

\(\Delta_{B}=-\frac{33750 \mathrm{k} \cdot \mathrm{ft}{3}}{E I}=-\frac{13500(12){3}}{(29,000)(800)}=-1.01 \text { in. } \quad \Delta_{B}=1.01 \text { in. } \downarrow\)

Chapter Summary

Deflection of beams through geometric methods: The geometric methods considered in this chapter includes the double integration method, singularity function method, moment-area method, and conjugate-beam method. Prior to discussion of these methods, the following equation of the elastic curve of a beam was derived:

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Method of double integration: This method involves integrating the equation of elastic curve twice. The first integration yields the slope, and the second integration gives the deflection. The constants of integration are determined considering the boundary conditions.

Method of singularity function: This method involves using a singularity or half-range function to describe the equation of the elastic curve for the entire beam. A half-range function can be written in the general form as follows:

\(\langle x-a\rangle^{n}=\left\{\begin{array}{c} 0 \text { for }(x-a)<0 \text { or } x

The method of singularity is best suited for beams with many discontinuities due to concentrated loads and moments. The method significantly reduces the number of constants of integration needed to be determined and, thus, makes computation easier when compared with the method of double integration.

Moment-area method: This method uses two theorems to determine the slope and deflection at specified points on the elastic curve of a beam. The two theorems are as follows:

First moment-area theorem: The change in slope between any two points on the elastic curve of a beam equals the area of the \(\frac{M}{E I}\) diagram between these two points.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Second moment-area theorem: The vertical deflection of point \(A\) from the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at point \(B\) equals the moment of the area under the \(\frac{M}{E I}\) diagram between these two points about point \(A\).

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Conjugate beam method: A conjugate beam has been defined as an imaginary beam with the same length as that of the actual beam but with a loading equal the \(\frac{M}{E I}\) diagram of the actual beam. The supports in the actual beams are replaced with fictitious supports with boundary conditions that will result in the bending moment and the shear force at a specific point in a conjugate beam equaling the deflection and slope, respectively, at the same points in the actual beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

Practice Problems

7.1 Using the double integration method, determine the slopes and deflections at the free ends of the cantilever beams shown in Figure P7.1 through Figure P7.4. \(EI\) = constant.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.1\). Cantilever beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.2\). Cantilever beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.3\). Cantilever beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.4\). Cantilever beam.

7.2 Using the double integration method, determine the slopes at point \(A\) and the deflections at midpoint \(C\) of the beams shown in Figure P7.5 and Figure P7.6. \(EI\) = constant.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.5\). Beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.6\). Beam.

7.3 Using the conjugate beam method, determine the slope at point \(A\) and the deflection at point \(B\) of the beam shown in Figure P7.7 through Figure P7.10.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.7\). Beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.8\). Beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.9\). Beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.10\). Beam.

7.4 Using the moment-area method, determine the deflection at point \(A\) of the cantilever beam shown in Figure P7.11 through Figure P7.12.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.11\). Cantilever beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.12\). Cantilever beam.

7.5 Using the moment-area method, determine the slope at point \(A\) and the slope at the midpoint \(C\) of the beams shown in Figure P7.13 and Figure P7.14.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.13\). Beam.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.14\). Beam.

7.6 Using the method of singularity function, determine the slope and the deflection at point \(A\) of the cantilever beam shown in Figure P7.15.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.15\). Cantilever beam.

7.7 Using the method of singularity function, determine the slope at point \(B\) and the slope at point \(C\) of the beam with the overhang shown in Figure P7.16. \(EI\) = constant. \(E=200 \mathrm{GPa}, \mathrm{I}=500 \times 106 \mathrm{~mm}^{4}\).

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.16\). Beam.

7.8 Using the method of singularity function, determine the slope at point \(C\) and the deflection at point \(D\) of the beam with overhanging ends, as shown in Figure P7.17. \(EI\) = constant.

Relationship between deflection top and bottom of beám

\(Fig. P7.17\). Beam.

7.9 Using the method of singularity function, determine the slope at point \(A\) and the deflection at point \(B\) of the beam shown in Figure P7.18. \(EI\) = constant.

What is the relationship between depth and deflection of a beam?

As depth increases moment of inertia increases and hence deflection will be reduced. DEFLECTION IS INVERSELY proportional to I. What will be the deflection of beam if length beam is increased?

What is the relationship between the deflection and the beam length?

Depending on the type of load, deflection may be proportional to the second, third or fourth power of beam length. Under anti-symmetrical loading, midspan deflection is zero, but deflections at other points will increase.

What does the deflection of a beam depend on?

The deflection of a spring beam depends on its length, its cross-sectional shape, the material, where the deflecting force is applied, and how the beam is supported.

What is the relationship between the deflection and applied load?

As force is applied to a joint, deflection counteracts the force by absorbing it. The greater the deflection in a joint, the more load and stress it can withstand, which increases the longevity of the joint.