Module 6

Work Energy Theorem

In this lesson, we’re going to discuss about the
Work-Energy Theorem, and its application to
structures which will lead us to the Virtual Work
Method
•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 work done by a force acting on a structure is simply defined as W = F · d ; to
its point of application in the direction of the force.
• Work is considered to be positive when the force and the displacement in the
direction of the force have the same sense and negative when the force and the
displacement have opposite sense.

F F
d d
Positive Work Negative Work
• Most energy methods are based on the conservation of
energy principle, which states that the work done by all the
external forces acting on a structure, Ue, is transformed into
internal work or strain energy, Ui, which is developed when
the structure deforms / moves.
• If the material’s elastic limit is not exceeded, the elastic strain energy will return
the structure to its undeformed state when the loads are removed.
• Otherwise, it should be evaluated under Plastic Analysis.
• Determines the slopes and deflections using the principle of work and energy
• The semigraphical (Geometric)methods presented in the previous chapters are
very effective for finding the displacements and slopes at points in beams
subjected to rather simple loadings.
• For more complicated loadings or for structures such as trusses and frames, it is
suggested that energy methods be used for the computations.
• When a force F undergoes a displacement dx in the same direction as the force,
the work done is dWe = F dx. If the total displacement is x, the work becomes

The total work W that the force P performs over the entire
displacement Δ is obtained by integrating the expression of dW
as
• The work of a moment is defined by the product of the magnitude of the
moment M and the angle through which it rotates, that is,
dWe = Mdθ
• If the total angle of rotation is radians, the work becomes
• mathematical statement of the principle of virtual
forces for deformable bodies.
• Axial Deformation
• F = Force
• L = Length
• A = Cross Sectional Area
• E = Modulus of Elasticity
 Temperature Errors
 α = Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (1.2x10-5/°C) for common Structural Steel
 ∆T = Change in Temperature
 L = Length

 Fabrication Errors
 Too Short ( - )
 Too Long ( + )
• Determine Support Reactions of the Real System
• Create a Virtual System – Place a 1 unit load / moment at the desired
location for the slope / deflection, and determine its support reactions
• Determine the member forces for the Real System (with Real Loadings)
• Determine the member forces for the Virtual System (with the virtual 1
load)
• Tabulate the results for faster solutions
• Use appropriate equation for axial, temperature, and fabrication errors.
• For problems with Temperature / Fabrication errors, tabulate only the
affected members
• Determine the vertical displacement of joint C of the steel truss
shown in the figure. The cross-sectional area of each member is 0.5
in2 and E = 29x103 ksi

Sample problem
• Virtual work method is best used in beams with
multiple loadings, this is due to the simplicity of the
equation and solution for determining slopes and
deflections.
• Most efficient in solving frames because each segment
of frame is carefully analyzed as beams and then solved
as a whole structure.
 To analyze this, take a differential strip dx to
represent the whole span of the beam. The
virtual internal bending moment, Mv, is
acting on the virtual structure, as it
undergoes real rotation dθ .

Considering the real beam, assume any loading applied on the beam and determine the deflection Δ at point B.

While applying 1 unit MOMENT at the location of the desired

Applying 1 unit FORCE at the location of the slope again represents the virtual structure of the real beam.
deflection represents the virtual structure due
to deflection.
 From the concept of virtual work
method:

As the virtual external force is Recall from the elastic beam

being applied (experienced theory that that the change of
internally by Mv), the real slope dθ over the differential
displacement dθ also occurs. This length dx can be expressed as
means that the change in work
done internally is given by

Inserting the dθ from the elastic beam theory

to virtual internal work done;

Virtual Internal
We can say that And thus;
Work Done
• From the same concept as the trusses:
• The Virtual external work can be expressed as:
Wve = 1Δ (1kN is the virtual force, Δ is the real external displacement)

And equating that Wve = Wvi;

General Equation for Deflection of Beams and Frames

In solving for Slopes, apply the same procedures as with Deflections; only applying a 1 unit Moment instead
of a Force. Thus, internally, and externally, Wve = 1θ

And finally:
General Equation for Slopes of Beams and Frames
1. Determine the support reactions of the real beam / frame
2. Provide the virtual structure based on its desired 1 unit load / moment on its
desired location
3. Analyze the virtual structure statically
4. Examine the beams / frames – divide into segments if the beam has varying EI
Properties so that the structure will be analyzed as continuous
5. For each segment of the beam, determine an equation expressing the variation of
the bending moment due to real and virtual loading (M, Mv) along the length of
the segment in terms of a position coordinate x. The origin for x may be located
anywhere on the beam and should be chosen so that the number of terms in the
equation for M and Mv is minimum. It is usually convenient to consider the
bending moments as positive or negative in accordance with the beam sign
convention
6. Determine the desired slope / deflection of the beam by applying appropriate
virtual work expressions.
• For the expressions to be made, the following steps are to be followed:
• Create an x – equation when there is a variation in EI Properties
• Create an x – equation when there is an internal hinge (but the hinge must represent a
discontinuity)
• Create an x – equation every before a point load (support reactions also)
• Create an x – equation when describing a distributed load (uniformly and varyingly)
• Create an x – equation before an applied moment
• Create an x – equation for beam – column connection (frames)
Determine the deflection at point A and Point D of the
beam shown below
10 kN

20 kN/m

D
A
B C

2m 4m 4m 2m

Sample problems
Derive and Review the Virtual
Work Method for Beams,
Frames, and Trusses
Sample Problems will be discussed
on the next presentation
Will be discussed thru our Canvas
Class or at our Online Platform App
Happy Learning!
• Determine the vertical deflection at joint C of the truss shown in the figure
due to a temperature drop of 8°C in members AB and BC and a
temperature increase of 30C in members AF; FG;GH, and EH.
• Determine the vertical deflection at joint D of the truss shown in the figure if
member CF is 15 mm too long and member EF is 10 mm too short. Use the
method of virtual work.
• Determine the vertical displacement of joint C of the
steel truss shown in Fig. 9–10a. Due to radiant heating
from the wall, member AD is subjected to an increase in
temperature of ∆T = +120°F. Take α = 6.67x10-6/°F and
E = 29x103 ksi. The cross-sectional area of each member
is indicated in the figure.
Determine the deflection at point A and Point D of the
beam shown below
10 kN

20 kN/m

D
A
B C

2m 4m 4m 2m

Final Answer: 5.89mm Upward at D

Final Answer : 7.056mm upward at A

Sample problems
• Determine the Deflection at D and the Slope at point C.
• E = 29x103ksi
• I = 40 in4
5 k/ft
20 k/ft 10k

A hinge 1.2I D
2I B C

4ft 3ft 2ft

Final Answer: 0.596 inches upward
Final Answer : 0.026 rad cc