6

Deflection of Beams

! INSADCO Photography/Alamy
Wing of a commercial airplane. Aircraft
wings can be analyzed for stresses and
deformations by modeling them as
cantilever beams. Since excessive
6.1 Introduction deformation can destroy aerodynamic
integrity, the deflection of a wing is as
important as its strength. This chapter
In this chapter, we consider the deflection of statically determinate beams. discusses several methods for computing
Because the design of beams is frequently governed by rigidity rather than the deflections of beams. Courtsey of
strength, the computation of deflections is an integral component of beam ! INSADCO Photography/Alamy.
analysis. For example, building codes specify limits on deflections as well as
stresses. Excessive deflection of a beam not only is visually disturbing but
also may cause damage to other parts of the building. For this reason, build-
ing codes limit the maximum deflection of a beam to about 1/360th of its
span. Deflections can also govern the design of machinery, cars, and aircraft.
In the design of a lathe, for example, the deflections must be kept below the
dimensional tolerances of the parts being machined. Cars and aircraft must
have su‰cient rigidity to control structural vibrations. 195

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 196 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

Deflections also play a crucial role in the analysis of statically in-

determinate beams. They form the bases for the compatibility equations that
are needed to supplement the equations of equilibrium, as we discovered in
our analysis of axially loaded bars and torsion of shafts.
A number of analytical methods are available for determining the
deflections of beams. Their common basis is the di¤erential equation that
relates the deflection to the bending moment. The solution of this equation is
complicated because the bending moment is usually a discontinuous func-
tion, so that the equations must be integrated in a piecewise fashion. The
various methods of deflection analysis are essentially di¤erent techniques for
solving this di¤erential equation. We consider two such methods in this text:
Method of double integration This method is fairly straightforward in
its application, but it often involves considerable algebraic manipu-
lation. We also present a variation of the method that simplifies the
algebra by the use of discontinuity functions. The primary advantage of
the double-integration method is that it produces the equation for the
deflection everywhere along the beam.
Moment-area method The moment-area method is a semigraphical
procedure that utilizes the properties of the area under the bending
moment diagram. It is the quickest way to compute the deflection at a
specific location if the bending moment diagram has a simple shape.
The method is not suited for deriving the deflection as a function of
distance along the beam without using a computer program.
In this chapter, we also discuss the method of superposition, in which
the applied loading is represented as a series of simple loads for which
deflection formulas are available. Then the desired deflection is computed by
adding the contributions of the component loads (principle of superposition).

6.2 Double-Integration Method

Figure 6.1(a) illustrates the bending deformation of a beam. Recall that in a
real beam, the displacements and slopes are very small if the stresses are be-
low the elastic limit, so that the deformation shown in the figure is greatly
exaggerated. The deformed axis of the beam is called its elastic curve. In this
section, we derive the di¤erential equation for the elastic curve and describe
a method for its solution.

a. Differential equation of the elastic curve

As shown in Fig. 6.1(a), we let x be the horizontal coordinate of an arbitrary
point A on the axis of the beam, measured from the fixed origin O. As the
beam deforms, its axis becomes curved and A is displaced to the position A0 .
The vertical deflection of A, denoted by v, is considered to be positive if di-
rected in the positive direction of the y-axis—that is, upward in Fig. 6.1(a).
Because the axis of the beam lies on the neutral surface, its length does not
change. Therefore, the distance OA 0 , measured along the elastic curve, is
also x. It follows that the horizontal deflection of A is negligible provided
the slope of the elastic curve remains small.
Consider next the deformation of an infinitesimal segment AB of the
beam axis, as shown in Fig. 6.1(b). The elastic curve A0B 0 of the segment has

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.2 Double-Integration Method 197

FIG. 6.1 (a) Deformation of a beam; (b) deformation of a di¤erential element of

beam axis.

the same length dx as the undeformed segment. If we let v be the deflection

of A, then the deflection of B is v þ dv, with dv being the infinitesimal change
in the deflection over the length dx. Similarly, the slope angles at the ends of
the deformed segment are denoted by y and y þ dy. From the geometry of
the figure, we obtain
dv
¼ sin y A y (6.1)
dx
The approximation is justified because y is small. From Fig. 6.1(b), we also
see that
dx ¼ r dy (a)
where r is the radius of curvature of the deformed segment. Rewriting Eq.
(a) as 1=r ¼ dy=dx and substituting y from Eq. (6.1), we obtain
1 d 2v
¼ (6.2)
r dx 2
When deriving the flexure formula in Sec. 5.2, we obtained the
moment-curvature relationship
1 M
¼ (5.2b, repeated)
r EI
where M is the bending moment acting on the segment, E is the modulus of
elasticity of the beam material, and I represents the moment of inertia of
the cross-sectional area about the neutral (centroidal) axis. Substitution
of Eq. (5.2b) into Eq. (6.2) yields
d 2v M
¼ (6.3a)
dx 2 EI
which is the di¤erential equation of the elastic curve. The product EI, called
the flexural rigidity of the beam, is usually constant along the beam. It is
convenient to write Eq. (6.3a) in the form

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 198 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

EIv 00 ¼ M (6.3b)

where the prime denotes di¤erentiation with respect to x; that is, dv=dx ¼ v 0 ,
d 2 v=dx 2 ¼ v 00 , and so on.

b. Double integration of the differential equation

If EI is constant and M is a known function of x, integration of Eq. (6.3b) yields
ð
0
EIv ¼ M dx þ C1 (6.4)

A second integration gives

ðð
EIv ¼ M dx dx þ C1 x þ C 2 (6.5)

where C1 and C 2 are constants of integration to be determined from the pre-

scribed constraints (for example, the boundary conditions) on the deforma-
tion of the beam. Because Eq. (6.5) gives the deflection v as a function of x,
it is called the equation of the elastic curve. The analysis described above is
known as the double-integration method for calculating beam deflections.
If the bending moment and flexural rigidity are smooth1 functions of
the coordinate x, a single di¤erential equation can be written for the entire
beam. If the beam is statically determinate2 , there will be two support
reactions, each of which imposes a known constraint on the slope or
deflection of the elastic curve. These constraints, also referred to as boundary
conditions, can be used to determine the two constants of integration. Com-
mon examples of boundary conditions are zero deflection at a pin or roller
support, and zero slope and zero deflection at a built-in (cantilever) support.
If either the bending moment or flexural rigidity is not a smooth func-
tion of x, a separate di¤erential equation must be written for each beam
segment that lies between the discontinuities. The equations for the elastic
curves for two adjacent segments must satisfy two continuity conditions at
the junction between segments:
1. The deflection for the left-hand segment must equal the deflection for
the right-hand segment, and
2. The slope for the left-hand segment must equal the slope for the right-
hand segment.
Physically speaking, the continuity conditions assure that there are no kinks
or gaps at the point where two segments meet.
Consider a beam for which the di¤erential equation of the elastic curve
must be written for n segments. For this beam, two integrations of the
moment equation for each segment will produce a total of 2n constants of
integration (two per segment). There are also 2n independent equations avail-
able for finding the constants. Because there are n # 1 junctions between the
n segments, there are a total of 2ðn # 1Þ continuity equations. Two additional

1 The term smooth here means that the function and its derivatives are continuous.
2 Statically indeterminate beams are discussed in Chapter 7.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.2 Double-Integration Method 199

equations are provided by the boundary conditions imposed by the supports.

Therefore, there are a total of 2ðn # 1Þ þ 2 ¼ 2n equations. As you can see,
the evaluation of the constants of integration can be tedious if the beam con-
tains several segments.

c. Procedure for double integration

The following procedure assumes that EI is constant in each segment of the
beam:
. Sketch the elastic curve of the beam, taking into account the boundary
conditions: zero displacement at pin and roller supports as well as
zero displacement and zero slope at built-in (cantilever) supports, for

. example.
Use the method of sections to determine the bending moment M at
an arbitrary distance x from the origin. Always show M acting in the
positive direction on the free-body diagram (this assures that the equi-
librium equations yield the correct sign for the bending moment). If
the loading has discontinuities, a separate expression for M must be

. obtained for each segment between the discontinuities.

By integrating the expressions for M twice, obtain an expression for
EIv in each segment. Do not forget to include the constants of

. integration.
Evaluate the constants of integration from the boundary conditions
and the continuity conditions on slope and deflection between seg-
ments.
Frequently only the magnitude of the deflection, called the displace-
ment, is required. We denote the displacement by d; that is, d ¼ jvj.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Sample Problem 6.1

The cantilever beam AB of length L shown in Fig. (a) carries a uniformly distributed
load of intensity w0 , which includes the weight of the beam. (1) Derive the equation of
the elastic curve. (2) Compute the maximum displacement if the beam is a W12 & 35
section using L ¼ 8 ft, w0 ¼ 400 lb/ft, and E ¼ 29 & 10 6 psi.

Solution
Part 1
The dashed line in Fig. (a) represents the elastic curve of the beam. The bending
moment acting at the distance x from the left end can be obtained from the free-body
diagram in Fig. (b) (note that V and M are shown acting in their positive directions):
" #
x w0 x 2
M ¼ #w0 x ¼#
2 2

Substituting the expression for M into the di¤erential equation EIv 00 ¼ M, we get
w0 x 2
EIv 00 ¼ #
2
Successive integrations yield
w0 x 3
EIv 0 ¼ # þ C1 (a)
6
w0 x 4
EIv ¼ # þ C1 x þ C 2 (b)
24
The constants C1 and C 2 are obtained from the boundary conditions at the
built-in end B, which are:
1. v 0 jx¼L ¼ 0 (support prevents rotation at B). Substituting v 0 ¼ 0 and x ¼ L into
Eq. (a), we get
w0 L 3
C1 ¼
6
2. vj
x¼L ¼ 0 (support prevents deflection at B). With v ¼ 0 and x ¼ L, Eq. (b)
becomes
" #
w0 L 4 w0 L 3 w0 L 4
0¼# þ L þ C2 C2 ¼ #
24 6 8
If we substitute C1 and C 2 into Eq. (b), the equation of the elastic curve is
w0 x 4 w0 L 3 w0 L 4
EIv ¼ # þ x#
24 6 8
w0
EIv ¼ ð#x 4 þ 4L 3 x # 3L 4 Þ Answer
24

200

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Part 2
From Table B-6 in Appendix B, the properties of a W12 & 35 shape are I ¼ 285 in. 4
and S ¼ 45:6 in. 3 (section modulus). From the result of Part 1, the maximum dis-
placement of the beam is (converting feet to inches)
w0 L 4 ð400=12Þð8 & 12Þ 4
d max ¼ jvjx¼0 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:0428 in: Answer
8EI 8ð29 & 10 6 Þð285Þ
To get a better appreciation of the magnitude of the displacement, let us com-
pute the maximum bending stress in the beam. The magnitude of the maximum
bending moment, which occurs at B, is Mmax ¼ w0 L 2 =2. Therefore, the maximum
bending stress is

Mmax w0 L 2 ð400=12Þð8 & 12Þ 2

smax ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 33 700 psi
S 2S 2ð45:6Þ
which is close to the proportional limit of 35 000 psi for structural steel. We see that
the maximum displacement is very small compared to the length of the beam even
when the material is stressed to its proportional limit.
1
Sample Problem 6.2
The simply supported beam ABC in Fig. (a) carries a distributed load of maximum
intensity w0 over its span of length L. Determine the maximum displacement of the
beam.

Solution
The bending moment and the elastic curve (the dashed line in Fig. (a)) are symmetric
about the midspan. Therefore, we will analyze only the left half of the beam (segment
AB).
Because of the symmetry, each support carries half of the total load, so that
the reactions are RA ¼ RC ¼ w0 L=4. The bending moment in AB can be obtained
from the free-body diagram in Fig. (b), yielding
" #
w0 L w0 x 2 x w0
M¼ x# ¼ ð3L 2 x # 4x 3 Þ
4 L 3 12L

Substituting M into the di¤erential equation of the elastic curve, Eq. (6.3b), and in-
tegrating twice, we obtain
w0
EIv 00 ¼ ð3L 2 x # 4x 3 Þ
12L
" #
w0 3L 2 x 2
EIv 0 ¼ # x 4 þ C1 (a)
12L 2
" 2 3 #
w0 L x x5
EIv ¼ # þ C1 x þ C 2 (b)
12L 2 5
The two constants of integration can be evaluated from the following two
conditions on the elastic curve of segment AB:
1. vjx¼0 ¼ 0 (no deflection at A due to the simple support). Substituting x ¼ v ¼ 0
in Eq. (b), we obtain
C2 ¼ 0

201

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 2. v 0 jx¼L=2 ¼ 0 (due to symmetry, the slope at midspan is zero). With x ¼ L=2
and v 0 ¼ 0, Eq. (a) becomes
" #
w0 3L 4 L 4
0¼ # þ C1
12L 8 16
5w0 L 3
C1 ¼ #
192
Substitution of the constants into Eq. (b) yields the equation of the elastic
curve for segment AB:
" #
w0 L 2 x 3 x 5 5w0 L 3
EIv ¼ # # x
12L 2 5 192
w0 x
EIv ¼ # ð25L 4 # 40L 2 x 2 þ 16x 4 Þ (c)
960L
By symmetry, the maximum displacement occurs at midspan. Evaluating Eq. (c) at
x ¼ L=2, we get
" #" " #2 " #4 #
w0 L L L w0 L 4
EIvjx¼L=2 ¼ # 25L 4 # 40L 2 þ 16 ¼#
960L 2 2 2 120
The negative sign indicates that the deflection is downward, as expected. Therefore,
the maximum displacement is
w0 L 4
d max ¼ jvjx¼L=2 ¼ # Answer
120EI
1
Sample Problem 6.3
The simply supported wood beam ABC in Fig. (a) has the rectangular cross section
shown. The beam supports a concentrated load of 300 N located 2 m from the left
support. Determine the maximum displacement and the maximum slope angle of the
beam. Use E ¼ 12 GPa for the modulus of elasticity. Neglect the weight of the beam.
(Note that the reactions at A and C have already been computed by equilibrium
analysis.)

Solution
The moment of inertia of the cross-sectional area is
bh 3 40ð80Þ 3
I¼ ¼ ¼ 1:7067 & 10 6 mm 4 ¼ 1:7067 & 10#6 m 4
12 12
Therefore, the flexural rigidity of the beam is
EI ¼ ð12 & 10 9 Þð1:7067 & 10#6 Þ ¼ 20:48 & 10 3 N ' m 2
The elastic curve is shown by the dashed line in Fig. (a). Because the loading is
discontinuous at B, the beam must be divided into two segments: AB and BC. The
202

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 bending moments in the two segments of the beam can be derived from the free-body
diagrams in Fig. (b). The results are3
$
100x N ' m in AB ð0 a x a 2 mÞ
M¼
100x # 300ðx # 2Þ N ' m in BC ð2 m a x a 3 mÞ
Because the expressions for bending moments in segments AB and BC are di¤erent,
they must be treated separately during double integration. Substituting the bending
moments into Eq. (6.3b) and integrating twice yields the following:
Segment AB
EIv 00 ¼ 100x N ' m
EIv 0 ¼ 50x 2 þ C1 N ' m 2 (a)
50 3
EIv ¼ x þ C1 x þ C 2 N ' m 3 (b)
3
Segment BC
EIv 00 ¼ 100x # 300ðx # 2Þ N ' m
EIv 0 ¼ 50x 2 # 150ðx # 2Þ 2 þ C3 N ' m 2 (c)
50 3
EIv ¼ x # 50ðx # 2Þ 3 þ C3 x þ C4 N ' m 3 (d)
3
The four constants of integration, C1 to C4 , can be found from the following
boundary and continuity conditions:
1. vjx¼0 ¼ 0 (no deflection at A due to the support). Substituting v ¼ x ¼ 0 into
Eq. (b), we get
C2 ¼ 0 (e)
2. vjx¼3 m ¼ 0 (no deflection at C due to the support). Letting x ¼ 3 m and v ¼ 0
in Eq. (d) yields
50 3
0¼ ð3Þ # 50ð3 # 2Þ 3 þ C3 ð3Þ þ C4
3
3C3 þ C4 ¼ #400 N ' m 3 (f)
0 0
3. v jx¼2 m# ¼ v jx¼2 mþ (the slope at B is continuous). Equating Eqs. (a) and (c) at
x ¼ 2 m, we obtain
50ð2Þ 2 þ C1 ¼ 50ð2Þ 2 þ C3
C1 ¼ C3 (g)
4. vjx¼2 m# ¼ vjx¼2 mþ (the deflection at B is continuous). Substituting x ¼ 2 m into
Eqs. (b) and (d) and equating the results give
50 3 50
ð2Þ þ C1 ð2Þ þ C 2 ¼ ð2Þ 3 þ C3 ð2Þ þ C4
3 3
2C1 þ C 2 ¼ 2C3 þ C4 (h)
The solution of Eqs. (e)–(h) is
400
C1 ¼ C3 ¼ # N ' m2 C 2 ¼ C4 ¼ 0
3

3 The bending moment in BC could be simplified as M ¼ #200x þ 600 N ' m, but no advantage
is gained from this simplification. In fact, the computation of the constants of integration is
somewhat easier if we do not simplify.
203

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Substituting the values of the constants and EI into Eqs. (a)–(d), we obtain the fol-
lowing results:
Segment AB
50x 2 # ð400=3Þ
v0 ¼ ¼ ð2:441x 2 # 6:510Þ & 10#3
20:48 & 10 3
ð50=3Þx 3 # ð400=3Þx
v¼ ¼ ð0:8138x 3 # 6:510xÞ & 10#3 m
20:48 & 10 3
Segment BC
50x 2 # 150ðx # 2Þ 2 # ð400=3Þ
v0 ¼
20:48 & 10 3
¼ ½2:441x 2 # 7:324ðx # 2Þ 2 # 6:150) & 10#3
ð50=3Þx 3 # 50ðx # 2Þ 3 # ð400=3Þx
v¼
20:48 & 10 3
¼ ½0:8138x 3 # 2:441ðx # 2Þ 3 # 6:150x) & 10#3 m
The maximum displacement occurs where the slope of the elastic curve is zero.
This point is in the longer of the two segments—namely, in AB. Setting v 0 ¼ 0 in seg-
ment AB, we get
2:441x 2 # 6:510 ¼ 0 x ¼ 1:6331 m
The corresponding deflection is
vjx¼1:6331 m ¼ ½ð0:8138ð1:6331Þ 3 # 6:510ð1:6331Þ) & 10#3
¼ #7:09 & 10#3 m ¼ #7:09 mm
The negative sign indicates that the deflection is downward, as expected. Thus, the
maximum displacement is
d max ¼ jvjx¼1:6331 m ¼ 7:09 mm # Answer
By inspection of the elastic curve in Fig. (a), the largest slope occurs at C. Its
value is
v 0 jx¼3 m ¼ ½2:441ð3Þ 2 # 7:324ð3 # 2Þ 2 # 6:150) & 10#3 ¼ 8:50 & 10#3
According to the sign conventions for slopes, the positive value for v 0 means that the
beam rotates counterclockwise at C (this is consistent with the sketch of the elastic
curve in Fig. (a)). Therefore, the maximum slope angle of the beam is
ymax ¼ jv 0 jx¼3 m ¼ 8:50 & 10#3 rad ¼ 0:487* Answer
h

1
Sample Problem 6.4

The cantilever beam ABC in Fig. (a) consists of two segments with di¤erent moments
of inertia: I0 for segment AB and 2I0 for segment BC. Segment AB carries a uni-
formly distributed load of intensity 200 lb/ft. Using E ¼ 10 & 10 6 psi and I0 ¼ 40
in. 4 , determine the maximum displacement of the beam.

204

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Solution
The dashed line in Fig. (a) represents the elastic curve of the beam. The bending
moments in the two segments, obtained from the free-body diagrams in Fig. (b), are
( %x &
#200x lb ' ft in AB ð0 a x a 6 ftÞ
M¼ 2
#1200ðx # 3Þ lb ' ft in BC ð6 ft a x a 10 ftÞ
Substituting the expressions for M into Eq. (6.3b) and integrating twice yield the
following results:
Segment AB (I F I0 )
EI0 v 00 ¼ #100x 2 lb ' ft
100 3
EI0 v 0 ¼ # x þ C1 lb ' ft 2 (a)
3
25 4
EI0 v ¼ # x þ C1 x þ C 2 lb ' ft 3 (b)
3
Segment BC (I F 2I0 )
Eð2I0 Þv 00 ¼ #1200ðx # 3Þ lb ' ft or EI0 v ¼ #600ðx # 3Þ lb ' ft
2
EI0 v 0 ¼ #300ðx # 3Þ þ C3 lb ' ft 2 (c)
3 3
EI0 v ¼ #100ðx # 3Þ þ C3 x þ C4 lb ' ft (d)
The conditions for evaluating the four constants of integration follow:
1. v 0 jx¼10 ft ¼ 0 (no rotation at C due to the built-in support). With v 0 ¼ 0 and
x ¼ 10 ft, Eq. (c) yields
0 ¼ #300ð10 # 3Þ 2 þ C3
C3 ¼ 14:70 & 10 3 lb ' ft 2
2. vjx¼10 ft ¼ 0 (no deflection at C due to the built-in support). Substituting v ¼ 0,
x ¼ 10 ft, and the value of C3 into Eq. (d), we get
0 ¼ #100ð10 # 3Þ 3 þ ð14:70 & 10 3 Þð10Þ þ C4
C4 ¼ #112:7 & 10 3 lb ' ft 3
0
3. v jx¼6 ft# ¼ vjx¼6 ftþ (the slope at B is continuous). Equating Eqs. (a) and (c)
after substituting x ¼ 6 ft and the value of C3 , we obtain
100 3
# ð6 Þ þ C1 ¼ #300ð6 # 3Þ 2 þ ð14:70 & 10 3 Þ
3
C1 ¼ 19:20 & 10 3 lb ' ft 2
4. vjx¼6 ft# ¼ vjx¼6 ftþ (the displacement at B is continuous). Using x ¼ 6 ft and
the previously computed values of the constants of integration in Eqs. (b) and
(d) gives
25 4
# ð6Þ þ ð19:20 & 10 3 Þð6Þ þ C 2 ¼ #100ð6 # 3Þ 3
3
þ ð14:70 & 10 3 Þð6Þ # ð112:7 & 10 3 Þ
C 2 ¼ #131:6 & 10 3 lb ' ft 3

205

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 The maximum deflection of the beam occurs at A—that is, at x ¼ 0. From Eq.
(b), we get
EI0 vjx¼0 ¼ C 2 ¼ #131:6 & 10 3 lb ' ft 3 ¼ #227:4 & 10 6 lb ' in: 3
The negative sign indicates that the deflection of A is downward, as anticipated.
Therefore, the maximum displacement is
227:4 & 10 6 227:4 & 10 6
d max ¼ jvjx¼0 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:569 in: # Answer
EI0 ð10 & 10 6 Þð40Þ
1

206

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Problems 207

Problems
6.1 For the simply supported beam carrying the concentrated load P at its
midspan, determine (a) the equation of the elastic curve; and (b) the maximum dis-
placement.
6.2 The simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load of intensity
w0 . Determine (a) the equation of the elastic curve; and (b) the maximum displace-
ment.
FIG. P6.1

FIG. P6.2
FIG. P6.3

6.3 The intensity of the distributed load on the cantilever beam varies linearly
from zero to w0 . Derive the equation of the elastic curve.
6.4 The simply supported beam carries two end couples, each of magnitude M0
but oppositely directed. Find the location and magnitude of the maximum deflection.
6.5 Solve Prob. 6.4 if the couple M0 acting at the left support is removed.
6.6 Compute the location and maximum value of EI d for the simply supported
beam carrying the couple M0 at the midspan. (Hint: By skew-symmetry, the de-
flection at midspan is zero.)

FIG. P6.4, P6.5 FIG. P6.6

6.7 Determine the value of EI d at midspan of the simply supported beam. Is the
deflection up or down?
6.8 Determine the maximum deflection of the rectangular wood beam when it is
loaded by the two end couples. Use E ¼ 12 GPa.

60 lb/ft
9.6 kN ⋅ m 6.6 kN ⋅ m
160 mm
A B 1200 lb ft
10 ft 120 mm
3.6 m

FIG. P6.7
FIG. P6.8

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 208 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

6.9 The intensity of the distributed load on the simply supported beam varies lin-
early from zero to w0 . (a) Derive the equation of the elastic curve. (b) Find the loca-
tion of the maximum deflection.
6.10 Determine the maximum displacement of the simply supported beam due to
the distributed loading shown in the figure. (Hint: Utilize symmetry and analyze the
FIG. P6.9 right half of the beam only.)

FIG. P6.10 FIG. P6.11

6.11 Two concentrated loads are placed symmetrically on the simply supported
beam. (a) Determine the expression for the maximum displacement of the beam.
(Hint: Utilize symmetry and analyze the left half of the beam.) (b) Calculate the
maximum displacement and maximum bending moment for a W14 & 26 section us-
ing the following data: a ¼ 6 ft; L ¼ 20 ft; P ¼ 6000 lb, and E ¼ 29 & 106 psi.
6.12 Determine the maximum displacement of the cantilever beam caused by the
concentrated load P.
FIG. P6.12
6.13 The uniformly distributed load of intensity w0 acts on the central portion of the simply
supported beam. (a) Derive the expression for EI dmax . (Hint: Utilize symmetry and analyze the
left half of the beam.) (b) Calculate dmax and maximum bending moment for a W200 & 22:5
section using the following data: a ¼ b ¼ 2 m; w0 ¼ 3:6 kN=m, and E ¼ 200 GPa.
600 N/m

4m 4m

FIG. P6.13 FIG. P6.14

6.14 The left half of the simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load of
intensity 600 N/m. (a) Compute the value of EI d at midspan. (b) If E ¼ 10 GPa, determine
the smallest value of I that limits the midspan displacement to 1/360th of the span.
6.15 The overhanging beam carries a concentrated load at its free end. (a) Derive
the expression for the displacement under the load. (b) Assuming the beam is a
0.75-in.-diameter steel rod, evaluate the displacement under the load and the max-
imum bending stress in the rod. Use b ¼ 24 in:; P ¼ 25 lb, and E ¼ 29 & 106 psi.
6.16 The simply supported steel beam is loaded by the 20-kN ' m couple as shown
in the figure. Using E ¼ 200 GPa and I ¼ 8 & 10#6 m 4 , determine the displacement
and slope at the point where the couple is applied.
6.17 The cantilever beam of length 2a supports a uniform load of intensity w0
over its right half. Find the maximum displacement of the beam.

20

6 4

FIG. P6.15 FIG. P6.16 FIG. P6.17

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.3 Double Integration Using Bracket Functions 209

6.18 Two uniformly distributed loads are placed symmetrically on the simply
supported beam. Calculate the maximum value of EI d for the beam. (Hint: Utilize
symmetry and analyze the right half of the beam only).

300 300

4 2m 4

FIG. P6.18 FIG. P6.19

6.19 The steel cantilever beam consists of two cylindrical segments with the di-
ameters shown. Determine the maximum displacement of the beam due to the 420-lb
concentrated load. Use E ¼ 29 & 10 6 psi for steel.
6.20 The stepped beam of length 4a carries a distributed load of intensity w0 over
its middle half. The moments of inertia are 1:5I0 for the middle half and I0 for the
rest of the beam. Find the displacement of the beam at its midspan. (Hint: Utilize
symmetry and analyze the right half of the beam only).

FIG. P6.20 FIG. P6.21

6.21 The moment of inertia of the cantilever beam varies linearly from zero at the
free end to I0 at the fixed end. Find the displacement at the free end caused by the
concentrated load P.

6.3 Double Integration Using

Bracket Functions
Evaluating the constants of integration that arise in the double-integration
method can become very involved if more than two beam segments must be
analyzed. We can simplify the calculations by expressing the bending mo-
ment in terms of discontinuity functions, also known as Macaulay bracket
functions. Discontinuity functions enable us to write a single expression for
the bending moment that is valid for the entire length of the beam, even if
the loading is discontinuous. By integrating a single, continuous expression
for the bending moment, we obtain equations for slopes and deflections that
are also continuous everywhere.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 210 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

FIG. 6.2 (a) Simply supported beam with three segments; (b)–(d) free-body
diagrams of the segments.

As an example, consider the simply supported beam ABCD loaded as

shown in Fig. 6.2(a). The free-body diagrams of the three segments of the
beam are shown in Figs. 6.2(b)–(d). Note that the reactions at A and D have
already been completed using equilibrium analysis. Using the equilibrium
equation SM ¼ 0 for each segment (the moment is taken about the right end
of the segment), we obtain the following bending moments:

Segment M (N . m)
0axa2 m 480x
2 maxa3 m 480x # 500ðx # 2Þ
2
3 maxa5 m 480x # 500ðx # 2Þ # 450
2 ðx # 3Þ

Note that in each successive segment an extra term is added to M, while the rest
of the expression remains unchanged. This pattern suggests using the expression
450
M ¼ 480x # 500ðx # 2Þ # ðx # 3Þ 2 N ' m
2
for the entire beam, with the understanding that the term ðx # 2Þ disappears
when x a 2; and ðx # 3Þ 2 disappears when x a 3. This idea is formalized by
using the Macaulay bracket functions described below.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.3 Double Integration Using Bracket Functions 211

A Macaulay bracket function, often referred to as a ‘‘bracket func-

tion,’’ is defined as

$
0 if x a a
hx # ai n ¼ (6.6)
ðx # aÞ n if x b a

where n is a nonnegative integer.4 The brackets h' ' 'i identify the expression
as a bracket function. Note that a bracket function is zero by definition if the
expression in the brackets—namely, ðx # aÞ—is negative; otherwise, it is
evaluated as written. A bracket function can be integrated by the same rule
as an ordinary function—namely,

ð
hx # ai nþ1
hx # ai n dx ¼ þC (6.7)
nþ1

where C is a constant of integration.

With bracket functions, the bending moment equation for the beam in
Fig. 6.2 can be written as
450
M ¼ 480x # 500hx # 2i # hx # 3i 2 N ' m (a)
2

This expression, valid over the entire length of the beam, is called the global
bending moment equation for the beam. Its integrals, representing the slope
and deflection of the beam, are continuous functions. Thus, double
integration of Eq. (a) automatically assures continuity of deformation.
Observe that the global bending moment equation in Eq. (a) can be
obtained by writing the bending moment equation for the right-most beam
segment, using the free-body diagram of the beam that lies to the left of
the cutting plane, as in Fig. 6.2(d). Then the parentheses are replaced by
brackets in the appropriate terms.
Referring to Fig. 6.2, we see that the bracket function hx # 3i 2 is
caused by the distributed load that starts at x ¼ 3 m and continues to the
right end of the beam. Now suppose that the distributed load were to end at
x ¼ 4 m, as shown in Fig. 6.3(a). The problem is how to handle the termi-
nation in the expression for M. We can do this by letting the distributed load
run to the end of the beam, as in Fig. 6.1(a), but canceling out the unwanted
portion by introducing an equal but oppositely directed load between x ¼ 4
m and the right end of the beam. This technique is shown in Fig. 6.3(b). The
corresponding global expression for the bending moment, obtained from the
free-body diagram in Fig. 6.3(c), is

450 450
M ¼ 435x # 500hx # 2i # hx # 3i 2 þ hx # 4i 2 N ' m
2 2

4 Negative values of n result in a class of functions called singularity functions, which we do not
need in our analysis.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 212 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

FIG. 6.3 (a) Simply supported beam; (b) same beam with equivalent loading;
(c) free-body diagram for determining the bending moment M in the right-most
segment.

After the global bending moment equation has been written, it can be
integrated to obtain the slope and the deflection equations for the entire
beam. The two constants of integration that arise can then be computed
from the boundary conditions. As mentioned before, continuity of slope and
deflection at the junctions between the segments is automatically satisfied
when bracket functions are used.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Sample Problem 6.5

The simply supported beam ABC in Fig. (a) carries a concentrated load of 300 N
as shown. Determine the equations for the slope and deflection of the beam using
EI ¼ 20:48 & 10 3 N ' m 2 . (Note: The same beam was analyzed in Sample Problem 6.3.)

RC = 200 N

Solution
The dashed line in Fig. (a) represents the elastic curve of the beam. Using the free-
body diagram in Fig. (b), we obtain the following global bending moment equation:
M ¼ 100x # 300hx # 2i N ' m (a)
Note that for segment AB (0 a x a 2 m), the last term is zero by definition of the
bracket function, so that M ¼ 100x N ' m. For segment BC (2 m ax a 3 m), the
bending moment equation is M ¼ 100x # 300ðx # 2Þ N ' m. Substituting Eq. (a) into
the di¤erential equation of the elastic curve and integrating twice, we obtain
EIv 00 ¼ 100x # 300hx # 2i N ' m
EIv 0 ¼ 50x 2 # 150hx # 2i 2 þ C1 N ' m 2 (b)
50 3
EIv ¼ x # 50hx # 2i 3 þ C1 x þ C 2 N ' m 3 (c)
3
To evaluate the constants of integration C1 and C 2 , we apply the following
boundary conditions:
1. vjx¼0 ¼ 0 (no deflection at A due to the simple support). Substituting v ¼ x ¼ 0
into Eq. (c) and recalling that h0 # 2i 3 ¼ 0, we get
C2 ¼ 0
2. vjx¼3 m ¼ 0 (no deflection at C due to the simple support). Substituting v ¼ 0,
x ¼ 3 m, and C 2 ¼ 0 into Eq. (c) and noting that h3 # 2i 3 ¼ ð3 # 2Þ 3 , we ob-
tain
50 3 400
ð3Þ # 50ð3 # 2Þ 3 þ C1 ð3Þ ¼ 0 C1 ¼ # N ' m2
3 3
Substituting the values of EI and the constants of integration into Eqs. (b) and
(c) yields the following global expressions for the slope and the deflection:
50x 2 # 150hx # 2i 2 # ð400=3Þ
v0 ¼
20:48 & 10 3
¼ ½2:441x 2 # 7:324hx # 2i 2 # 6:150) & 10#3 Answer
3 3
ð50=3Þx # 50hx # 2i # ð400=3Þx
v¼
20:48 & 10 3
¼ ½0:8138x 3 # 2:441hx # 2i 3 # 6:150x) & 10#3 m Answer
1
213

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Sample Problem 6.6

For the overhanging beam in Fig. (a), determine (1) the equation for the elastic
curve; and (2) the values of EI d midway between the supports and at point E
(indicate whether each d is up or down).

Solution
Part 1
The dashed line in Fig. (a) represents the elastic curve of the beam. Figure (b) shows
the equivalent loading that is used to determine the bending moment in the beam.
Recall that the use of bracket functions in the expression for the bending moment
requires each distributed load to extend to the right end of the beam. We must,
therefore, extend the 400-N/m loading to point E and cancel the unwanted portion
by applying an equal and opposite loading to CE. The global expression for the
bending moment can now be derived from the free-body diagram in Fig. (c), the
result being
400 400
M ¼ 500x # hx # 1i 2 þ hx # 4i 2 þ 1300hx # 6i N ' m
2 2

214

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Substituting M into the di¤erential equation for the elastic curve and integrat-
ing twice, we get
EIv 00 ¼ 500x # 200hx # 1i 2 þ 200hx # 4i 2 þ 1300hx # 6i N ' m
200 200
EIv 0 ¼ 250x 2 # hx # 1i 3 þ hx # 4i 3 þ 650hx # 6i 2 þ C1 N ' m 2
3 3
250 3 50 50 650
EIv ¼ x # hx # 1i 4 þ hx # 4i 4 þ hx # 6i 3
3 3 3 3
þ C1 x þ C 2 N ' m 3 (a)
The boundary conditions follow:
1. vjx¼0 ¼ 0 (deflection at A is prevented by the simple support). Because all the
bracket functions in Eq. (a) are zero at x ¼ 0, we get
C2 ¼ 0
2. vjx¼6 m ¼ 0 (deflection at D is prevented by the simple support). Equation (a)
now gives
250 3 50 50
0¼ ð6Þ # ð6 # 1Þ 4 þ ð6 # 4Þ 4 þ C1 ð6Þ
3 3 3
3925
C1 ¼ # N ' m2
3
When we substitute the values for C1 and C 2 into Eq. (a), the equation for the
elastic curve becomes
250 3 50 50
EIv ¼ x # hx # 1i 4 þ hx # 4i 4
3 3 3
Answer
650 3925
þ hx # 6i 3 # x N ' m3
3 3
Part 2
The deflection midway between the supports is obtained by substituting x ¼ 3 m into
the expression for EIv. Noting that h3 # 4i 4 ¼ 0 and h3 # 6i 3 ¼ 0, we obtain
250 3 50 3925
EIvjx¼3 m ¼ ð3Þ # ð3 # 1Þ 4 # ð3Þ ¼ #1942 N ' m 3
3 3 3
The negative sign shows that the deflection is down, so that the value of EI d at
midspan is
EI d mid ¼ 1942 N ' m 3 # Answer
At point E, we have
250 3 50 50 650 3925
EIvjx¼8 m ¼ ð8Þ # ð8 # 1Þ 4 þ ð8 # 4Þ 4 þ ð8 # 6Þ 3 # ð8Þ
3 3 3 3 3
¼ #1817 N ' m 3
Again, the minus sign indicates a downward deflection. Therefore,
EI dE ¼ 1817 N ' m 3 # Answer
1

215

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Sample Problem 6.7

A couple M0 is applied at the midpoint of the cantilever beam of length L, as shown

in Fig. (a). Find the magnitude of the vertical force P for which the deflection at end
C is zero.

Solution
The elastic curve of the beam is shown in Fig. (a) by the dashed line. From the
free-body diagram in Fig. (b), we get for the bending moment
' (
L 0
M ¼ ðPL # M0 Þ # Px þ M0 x #
2
Note that hx # L=2i 0 ¼ 1 for x b L=2. Substituting this expression into the di¤er-
ential equation for the elastic curve, and integrating twice, we obtain
' (
00 L 0
EIv ¼ ðPL # M0 Þ # Px þ M0 x #
2
' (
P L
EIv 0 ¼ ðPL # M0 Þx # x 2 þ M0 x # þ C1 (a)
2 2
' (
x2 P M0 L 2
EIv ¼ ðPL # M0 Þ # x 3 þ x# þ C1 x þ C 2 (b)
2 6 2 2
The boundary conditions are:
1. v 0 jx¼0 ¼ 0 (the fixed support at A prevents rotation). Substituting x ¼ v 0 ¼ 0
into Eq. (a) yields C1 ¼ 0.
2. vjx¼0 ¼ 0 (the fixed support at A prevents deflection). Setting x ¼ v ¼ 0 in
Eq. (b), we get C 2 ¼ 0.
Therefore, the equation of the elastic curve is
' (
x2 x 3 M0 L 2
EIv ¼ ðPL # M0 Þ #P þ x#
2 6 2 2
At end C, we have
" # " #
L 2 PL 3 M0 L 2 PL 3M0
EIvjx¼L ¼ ðPL # M0 Þ # þ L# ¼ # L2
2 6 2 2 3 8
To find the force P that results in zero displacement at C, we set vjx¼L ¼ 0 and solve
for P. The result is
9 M0
P¼ Answer
8 L
1

216

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Problems 217

Problems
6.22 The cantilever beam has a rectangular cross section 50 mm wide and h mm
high. Find the smallest allowable value of h if the maximum displacement of the
beam is not to exceed 10 mm. Use E ¼ 10 GPa.

FIG. P6.22 FIG. P6.23

6.23 Find the value of EI y at the free end of the cantilever beam.
6.24 Determine the value of EI d at midspan for the beam loaded by two con-
centrated forces.
6.25 Compute the midspan value of EI d for the simply supported beam carrying a
uniformly distributed load over part of its span.
6.26 (a) Derive the equation of the elastic curve for the simply supported beam
that is loaded by the concentrated couple M0 . (b) Compute the value of EI at the FIG. P6.24
point of application of M0 .

M0

2L
3 3

FIG. P6.25 FIG. P6.26

6.27 For the overhanging beam shown, (a) derive the equation of the elastic curve;
and (b) compute the value of EI d at the right end.

3
2.7

3 3 3 3

FIG. P6.27 FIG. P6.28

6.28 (a) Determine the equation of the elastic curve for the overhanging beam;
and (b) calculate the value of EI d midway between the supports.
6.29 (a) Derive the equation of the elastic curve for the simply supported beam.
(b) Determine the maximum value of EI d.

FIG. P6.29

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 218 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

6.30 The simply supported beam carries three concentrated loads as shown in the
4 kips 6 kips 8 kips
figure. Determine (a) the equation of the elastic curve; and (b) the value of EI d at
midspan.
6.31 For the overhanging beam, compute the value of EI d under the 15-kN load.
3 ft 3 ft 3 ft 3 ft

FIG. P6.30

FIG. P6.31 FIG. P6.32

6.32 Determine the displacement midway between the supports for the overhang-
ing beam.
6.33 For the overhanging beam, find the displacement at the left end.
6.34 For the overhanging beam, determine (a) the value of EI d under the 24-kN
load; and (b) the maximum value of EI d between the supports.

FIG. P6.33

FIG. P6.34 FIG. P6.35

6.35 Compute the value of EI d at the left end of the cantilever beam.
6.36 The cantilever beam carries a couple formed by two forces, each of magni-
tude P ¼ 2000 lb. Determine the force R that must be applied as shown to prevent
displacement of point A.
6.37 Find the maximum displacement of the cantilever beam.
6.38 Compute the value of EI d at the right end of the cantilever beam.
FIG. P6.36

2 2

6 ft 3 3

FIG. P6.37 FIG. P6.38

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.4 Moment-Area Method 219

6.39 Determine the value of EI y at each end of the overhanging beam.

6.40 For the simply supported beam, compute the value of EI d at midspan.

4
FIG. P6.39

4 4

FIG. P6.40 FIG. P6.41

6.41 Calculate the value of EI y at the right support of the overhanging beam.
6.42 Determine the maximum deflection of the cantilever beam.

FIG. P6.42 FIG. P6.43

6.43 Compute the value of EI d at the right end of the overhanging beam.
6.44 The cantilever beam is a 15-ft long W8 & 24 steel section ðE ¼ 20 & 106 psi;
I ¼ 82:8 in:4 Þ. Calculate the maximum displacement of the beam.

240 lb/ft 390 lb/ft

x

6 ft 9 ft

FIG. P6.44

*6.4 Moment-Area Method

The moment-area method is useful for determining the slope or deflection of
a beam at a specified location. It is a semigraphical method in which the in-
tegration of the bending moment is carried out indirectly, using the geo-
metric properties of the area under the bending moment diagram. As in the
method of double integration, we assume that the deformation is within the
elastic range, resulting in small slopes and small displacements.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 220 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

a. Moment-area theorems
We will now derive two theorems that are the bases of the moment-area
method. The first theorem deals with slopes; the second theorem with de-
flections.

First Moment-Area Theorem Figure 6.4(a) shows the elastic curve AB

of an initially straight beam segment (the deformation has been greatly ex-
aggerated in the figure). As discussed in the derivation of the flexure formula
in Sec. 5.2, two cross sections of the beam at P and Q, separated by the dis-
tance dx, rotate through the angle dy relative to each other. Because the
cross sections are assumed to remain perpendicular to the axis of the beam,
dy is also the di¤erence in the slope of the elastic curve between P and Q, as
shown in Fig. 6.4(a). From the geometry of the figure, we see that dx ¼ r dy,
where r is the radius of curvature of the elastic curve of the deformed ele-
ment. Therefore, dy ¼ dx=r, which upon using the moment-curvature rela-
tionship
1 M
¼ (5.2b, repeated)
r EI
becomes
M
dy ¼ dx (a)
EI
Integrating Eq. (a) over the segment AB yields
ðB ðB
M
dy ¼ dx (b)
A A EI

FIG. 6.4 (a) Elastic curve of a beam segment; (b) bending moment diagram for
the segment.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.4 Moment-Area Method 221

The left-hand side of Eq. (b) is yB # yA , which is the change in the slope be-
tween A and B. The right-hand side represents the area under the M=ðEI Þ
diagram between A and B, shown as the shaded area in Fig. 6.4(b). If we
introduce the notation yB=A ¼ yB # yA , Eq. (b) can be expressed in the form

)B
M
yB=A ¼ area of diagram (6.8)
EI A

which is the first moment-area theorem.

Second Moment-Area Theorem Referring to the elastic curve AB in

Fig. 6.5(a), we let tB=A be the vertical distance of point B from the tangent to
the elastic curve at A. This distance is called the tangential deviation of B
with respect to A. To calculate the tangential deviation, we first determine
ÐB
the contribution dt of the infinitesimal element PQ and then use tB=A ¼ A dt
to add the contributions of all the elements between A and B. As shown in
the figure, dt is the vertical distance at B between the tangents drawn to the
elastic curve at P and Q. Recalling that the slopes are very small, we obtain
from geometry
dt ¼ x 0 dy
where x 0 is the horizontal distance of the element from B. Therefore, the
tangential deviation is
ðB ðB
tB=A ¼ dt ¼ x 0 dy
A A

FIG. 6.5 (a) Elastic curve of a beam segment; (b) bending moment diagram for
the segment.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 222 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

Substituting dy from Eq. (a), we obtain

ðB
M 0
tB=A ¼ x dx (c)
A EI
The right-hand side of Eq. (c) represents the first moment of the shaded area
of the M=ðEI Þ diagram in Fig. 6.5(b) about point B. Denoting the distance
between B and the centroid C of this area by x=B (read =B as ‘‘relative to
B’’), we can write Eq. (c) as

)B
M
tB=A ¼ area of diagram ' x=B (6.9)
EI A

This is the second moment-area theorem. Note that the first moment of area,
represented by the right-hand side of Eq. (6.9), is always taken about the
point at which the tangential deviation is being computed.
Do not confuse tB=A (the tangential deviation of B with respect to A)
with tA=B (the tangential deviation of A with respect to B). In general, these
two distances are not equal, as illustrated in Fig. 6.6.

FIG. 6.6 Tangential deviations of the elastic curve.

Sign Conventions The following rules of sign, illustrated in Fig. 6.7,

apply to the two moment-area theorems:
. The tangential deviation tB=A is positive if B lies above the tangent line
drawn to the elastic curve at A, and negative if B lies below the tangent

. line.
Positive yB=A has a counterclockwise direction, whereas negative yB=A
has a clockwise direction.

b. Bending moment diagrams by parts

Application of the moment-area theorems is practical only if the area under
the bending moment diagram and its first moment can be calculated without
di‰culty. The key to simplifying the computation is to divide the bending
moment diagram into simple geometric shapes (rectangles, triangles, and
parabolas) that have known areas and centroidal coordinates. Sometimes
the conventional bending moment diagram lends itself to such division, but
FIG. 6.7 Sign conventions for often it is preferable to draw the bending moment diagram by parts, with
tangential deviation and change of
each part of the diagram representing the e¤ect of one load. Construction of
slope.
the bending moment diagram by parts for simply supported beams proceeds
as follows:

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.4 Moment-Area Method 223

. Calculate the simple support reactions and consider them to be applied

. loads.
Introduce a fixed support at a convenient location. A simple support
of the original beam is usually a good choice, but sometimes another
point is more convenient. The beam is now cantilevered from this

. support.
Draw a bending moment diagram for each load (including the support
reactions of the original beam). If all the diagrams can be fitted on a
single plot, do so, drawing the positive moments above the x-axis and
the negative moments below the x-axis.
Only the last step of the procedure is needed for a cantilever beam
because a fixed support is already present.
As an illustration, consider the simply supported beam ABC in
Fig. 6.8(a). We start by computing the support reactions; the results are
shown in the figure. In Fig. 6.8(b), we introduce a fixed support at C and
show the reaction at A as an applied load. The result is a cantilever beam
that is statically equivalent to the original beam; that is, the cantilever beam
has the same conventional bending moment diagram as the beam in Fig.
6.8(a). We now draw a bending moment diagram for each of the two loads,
as shown in Fig. 6.8(c). The moment M1 due to RA is positive, whereas the

FIG. 6.8 (a) Simply supported beam; (b) equivalent beam with fixed support at
C; (c) bending moment diagram by parts; (d) conventional bending moment
diagram.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 224 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

distributed load results in a negative moment M2 . The conventional bending

moment diagram, shown in Fig. 6.8(d), is obtained by superimposing M1
and M2 —that is, by plotting M ¼ M1 þ M2 .

FIG. 6.9 (a) Beam with fixed support at B that is statically equivalent to the
simply supported beam in Fig. 6.8(a); (b) bending moment diagram by parts.

The benefit of constructing the bending moment diagram by parts be-

comes evident when we compare Figs. 6.8(c) and (d). The former contains
two simple parts: a triangle and a parabola. Not only is the conventional
diagram harder to divide into simple shapes, but also, before this can be
done, the maximum bending moment and its location have to be found.
As mentioned previously, the fixed support can be introduced at any
location along the beam. Let us draw the bending moment diagram by parts
for the beam in Fig. 6.8(a) by placing the fixed support at B, as shown in
Fig. 6.9(a). (This location is not as convenient as C, but it serves as an
illustration.) As a result, we have transformed the original beam into two
cantilever beams sharing the support at B. The applied forces consist of both
the original reactions and the distributed loading. Therefore, the bending
moment diagram in Fig. 6.9(b) now contains three parts. Note that the mo-
ments of the forces about B are balanced. In other words,

SðMB ÞR ¼ SðMB ÞL

where SðMB ÞR and SðMB ÞL represent the sum of the moments of the forces
to the right and to the left of B, respectively.
When we construct the bending moment diagram by parts, each part is
invariably of the form M ¼ kx n , where n is a nonnegative integer that rep-
resents the degree of the moment equation. Table 6.1 shows the properties of
areas under the M-diagram for n ¼ 0, 1, 2, and 3. This table is useful in
computations required by the moment-area method.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.4 Moment-Area Method 225

n Plot of M F kx n Area x

1
0 bh b
2

1 2
1 bh b
2 3

1 3
2 bh b
3 4

1 4
3 bh b
4 5

TABLE 6.1 Properties of Areas Bounded by M ¼ kx n

c. Application of the moment-area method

Cantilever Beams Consider the deflection of the cantilever beam shown
in Fig. 6.10. Because the support at A is fixed, the tangent drawn to the
elastic curve at A is horizontal. Therefore, tB=A (the tangential deviation of B
with respect to A) has the same magnitude as the displacement of B. In other
words, dB ¼ jtB=A j, where
)B FIG. 6.10 The displacement
M
tB=A ¼ area of diagram ' x=B equals the magnitude of the
EI A tangential deviation for point B on
the cantilever beam.
Simply Supported Beams The elastic curve of a simply supported
beam is shown in Fig. 6.11. The problem is to compute the displacement dB
of a point B located a distance x from A. Because the point at which a tan-
gent to the elastic curve is horizontal is usually unknown, this computation
is more involved than that for a cantilever beam. If a tangent is drawn to the
elastic curve at A, the tangential deviation tB=A is evidently not the displace-
ment dB . However, from the figure, we see that dB ¼ yA x # tB=A . Therefore,
we must compute the slope angle yA as well as tB=A .

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 226 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

FIG. 6.11 Procedure for calculating dB , the displacement of point B on the

simply supported beam.

The procedure for computing dB thus consists of the following steps:

. Compute tC=A from
)C
M
tC=A ¼ area of diagram ' x=C
EI
. Determine yA from the geometric relationship
A

tC=A
yA ¼
L
. Compute tB=A using
)B
M
tB=A ¼ area of diagram ' x=B
EI
. Calculate dB from
A

dB ¼ yA x # tB=A
This procedure may appear to be involved, but it can be executed
rapidly, especially if the bending moment diagram is drawn by parts. It must
be emphasized that an accurate sketch of the elastic curve, similar to that
shown in Fig. 6.11, is the basis of the procedure. Such a sketch should be the
starting point of every analysis.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Sample Problem 6.8

A 600-lb/ft uniformly distributed load is applied to the left half of the cantilever
beam ABC in Fig. (a). Determine the magnitude of force P that must be applied as
shown so that the displacement at A is zero.

Solution
The bending moment diagram, drawn by parts, is shown in Fig. (b). The upper por-
tion is the moment caused by P; the lower part is due to the distributed load. The
area under the diagram can be divided into the four simple shapes shown: the rec-
tangle z 1 , the triangles z2 and z 3 , and the parabola z 4 .
The sketch of the elastic curve in Fig. (c) is drawn so that it satisfies the boun-
dary conditions (dC ¼ yC ¼ 0Þ and the requirement that dA ¼ 0. Because the slope of
the elastic curve at C is zero, we see that tA=C (the tangential deviation of A relative to
C ) is zero. Therefore, from the second moment-area theorem, we obtain
)A
M
tA=C ¼ area of diagram ' x=A ¼ 0
EI C

Using the four sub-areas shown in Fig. (b) to compute the first moment of the bend-
ing moment diagram about A, we get (the constant EI cancels)
" # " #
1 16 1 1 20
ð8 & 8PÞ # ð4 & 4800Þð3Þ # ð4 & 4800Þð6Þ # ð4 & 9600Þ ¼0
2 3 3 2 3
which yields
P ¼ 1537:5 lb Answer

227

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Alternative Solution
There are other ways of drawing the bending moment diagram by parts. We could,
for example, replace the distributed loading with the equivalent loading shown in
Fig. (d). The resulting bending moment diagram by parts in Fig. (e) has only three
parts: two parabolas and a triangle. Setting the first moment of the bending diagram
about A to zero, we get
" #
1 16 1 1
ð8 & 8PÞ # ð8 & 19 200Þð6Þ þ ð4 & 4800Þð7Þ ¼ 0
2 3 3 3
giving us, as before,
P ¼ 1537:5 lb Answer

228

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Sample Problem 6.9

The simply supported beam in Fig. (a) supports a concentrated load of 300 N as
shown. Using EI ¼ 20:48 & 10 3 N ' m 2 , determine (1) the slope angle of the elastic
curve at A; and (2) the displacement at D. (Note: This beam was analyzed in Sample
Problems 6.3 and 6.5.)

Solution
To obtain the bending moment diagram by parts, we introduce a fixed support at C
and consider the reaction at A to be an applied load, as shown in Fig. (b). The
resulting bending moment diagram is shown in Fig. (c). The sketch of the elastic
curve of the original beam in Fig. (d) identifies the slope angle yA and the displace-
ment dD , which are to be found, together with the tangential deviations tC=A and tD=A .
Part 1
The tangential deviation tC=A can be found from the second moment-area theorem:
)A
M
tC=A ¼ area of diagram ' x=C
EI C

229

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Substituting the given value of EI and computing the first moment of the bending
moment diagram about C with the aid of Fig. (c), we get
+ " #)
1 1 1 1
tC=A ¼ ð3 & 300Þð1:0Þ # ð1:0 & 300Þ ¼ 0:019 531 m
20:48 & 10 3 2 2 3
Note that tC=A is positive, which means that C is above the reference tangent at A, as
expected. Assuming small slopes, we obtain from geometry of Fig. (d)
tC=A 0:019 531
yA ¼ ¼ ¼ 6:510 & 10#3 rad ¼ 0:373* Answer

g
AC 3

Part 2
From the second moment-area theorem, the tangential deviation of D relative to A is
)D
M
tD=A ¼ area of diagram ' x=D
EI A

Referring to Fig. (e) to obtain the first moment about D of the bending moment di-
agram between A and D, we obtain
+ " #)
1 1 1
tD=A ¼ 3
ð1:0 & 100Þ ¼ 0:8138 & 10#3 m
20:48 & 10 2 3
From Fig. (d), we see that the displacement at D is
dD ¼ yA AD 0 # tD=A ¼ ½6:510ð1:0Þ # 0:8138) & 10#3
¼ 5:696 & 10#3 m ¼ 5:70 mm # Answer

(e)

230

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Sample Problem 6.10

Determine the value of EI d at end D of the overhanging beam in Fig. (a).

6 ft

Solution
The statically equivalent beam used to draw the bending moment diagram by parts is
shown in Fig. (b). We introduced a built-in support at C and show the reaction at A
as an applied load. The result is, in e¤ect, two beams that are cantilevered from C.
The bending moment diagrams by parts for these beams are shown in Fig. (c).
The elastic curve of the original beam in Fig. (d) was drawn assuming that the
beam rotates counterclockwise at C. The correct direction will be determined from
the sign of the tangential deviation tA=C . Using the second moment-area theorem and
recognizing that EI is a constant, we have

231

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 )C
EItA=C ¼ area of M diagram ' x=A
A
+ ) + )
1 2 1 2
¼ ð10 & 780Þ ð10Þ # ð6 & 900Þ 4 þ ð6Þ ¼ 4400 lb ' ft 3
2 3 2 3
The positive value means that point A lies above the reference tangent at C, as shown
in Fig. (d), thereby verifying our assumption. The slope angle at C is (assuming small
slopes) yC ¼ tA=C =AC, or
4400
EI yC ¼ ¼ 440 lb ' ft 2
10
The deviation of D from the reference tangent at C is obtained from
)D + )
1 2
EItD=C ¼ area of M diagram ' x=D ¼ # ð4 & 120Þ ð4Þ ¼ #640 lb ' ft 3
C 2 3
The negative sign indicates that point D on the elastic curve lies below the refer-
ence tangent, as assumed in Fig. (d). According to Fig. (d), the displacement of D is
dD ¼ yC CD # jtD=C j. Therefore,
EI dD ¼ 440ð4Þ # 640 ¼ 1120 lb ' ft 3 " Answer
1

232

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Problems 233

Problems
6.45 Solve Sample Problem 6.10 by introducing a built-in support at A rather than
at C.
6.46 For the cantilever beam ABC, compute the value of EI d at end C.

6 2
4

FIG. P6.46 FIG. P6.47

6.47 The cantilever beam ABC has the rectangular cross section shown in the
figure. Using E ¼ 69 GPa, determine the maximum displacement of the beam.
6.48 The properties of the timber cantilever beam ABC are I ¼ 60 in. 4 and
E ¼ 1:5 & 10 6 psi. Determine the displacement of the free end A.
6.49 For the beam described in Prob. 6.48, compute the displacement of point B.

FIG. P6.50
FIG. P6.48, P6.49

6.50 The cantilever beam AB supporting a linearly distributed load of maximum

intensity w0 is propped at end A by the force P. (a) Find the value of P for which the
deflection of A is zero. (b) Compute the corresponding value of EI y at A.
6.51 Determine the magnitude of the couple M0 for which the slope of the beam 12
at A is zero.
M0
6.52 Compute the value of EI d at point B for the simply supported beam ABC.
6.53 For the simply supported beam ABCD, determine the values of EI d at 3 3
(a) point B; and (b) point C. FIG. P6.51

80 lb/ft

FIG. P6.52 FIG. P6.53

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 234 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

6.54 Find the maximum displacement of the simply supported beam ABC that is
loaded by a couple M0 at its midspan. (Hint: By symmetry, the deflection is zero at
point B, the point of application of the couple.)
6.55 Determine the value of EI d at point C for the simply supported beam ABCD.
6.56 For the simply supported beam ABC, determine EI d at point B.
FIG. P6.54
200
60

0.6 L
5 3 5

FIG. P6.55 FIG. P6.56

6.57 Compute the maximum displacement for the wooden cantilever beam that
has the cross section shown. Use E ¼ 10 GPa for wood.

2 kN/m 75 mm
0.8 kN/m
150 mm
3m

FIG. P6.57

6.58 Determine the value of EI d at end A of the overhanging beam ABCD. (Hint:
By symmetry, the elastic curve midway between the supports is horizontal.)
6.59 For the overhanging beam ABCD, compute the magnitude of the load P that
would cause the elastic curve to be horizontal at support C.

FIG. P6.58 6.60 Determine the displacement at point B of the cantilever beam ABC. Use
E ¼ 10 GPa and I ¼ 30 & 10 6 mm 4 .

600 N

2m 4m 4m

FIG. P6.59 FIG. P6.60

6.61 For the overhanging beam ABCD, compute (a) the value of the force P for which
the slope of the elastic curve at C is zero, and (b) the corresponding value of EI d at B.

FIG. P6.61, P6.62

6.62 The overhanging beam ABCD carries the 100-lb load and the force P ¼ 80
lb. Compute the value of EI d at point D.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.5 Method of Superposition 235

6.63 The overhanging beam ABCD carries the uniformly distributed load of in- 200 200
tensity 200 lb/ft over the segments AB and CD. Find the value of EI d at point B.
6.64 Determine the value of EI d at point A of the overhanging beam ABC.

4 ft 4 ft 4 ft

FIG. P6.63

FIG. P6.64 FIG. P6.65

6.65 The two segments of the cantilever beam ABC have di¤erent cross sections
with the moments of inertia shown in the figure. Determine the expression for the
maximum displacement of the beam.
6.66 The simply supported beam ABC contains two segments. The moment of
inertia of the cross-sectional area for segment AB is three times larger than the mo-
ment of inertia for segment BC. Find the expression for the displacement for point B.

FIG. P6.66 FIG. P6.67

6.67 Calculate the value of EI d at point B of the simply supported beam ABC.

6.5 Method of Superposition

The method of superposition, a popular method for finding slopes and de-
flections, is based on the principle of superposition:
If the response of a structure is linear, then the e¤ect of several loads
acting simultaneously can be obtained by superimposing (adding) the
e¤ects of the individual loads.
By ‘‘linear response’’ we mean that the relationship between the cause
(loading) and the e¤ect (deformations and internal forces) is linear. The two
requirements for linear response are (1) the material must obey Hooke’s law;
and (2) the deformations must be su‰ciently small so that their e¤ect on the
geometry is negligible.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 236 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

The method of superposition permits us to use the known displace-

ments and slopes for simple loads to obtain the deformations for more com-
plicated loadings. To use the method e¤ectively requires access to tables that
list the formulas for slopes and deflections for various loadings, such as
Tables 6.2 and 6.3. More extensive tables can be found in most engineering
handbooks.

Px 2 PL 3 PL 2
d¼ ð3L # xÞ dB ¼ yB ¼
6EI 3EI 2EI

8 2
>
> Px
>
< 6EI ð3a # xÞ 0 a x a a Pa 2 Pa 2
d¼ dB ¼ ð3L # aÞ yB ¼
>
> 2 6EI 2EI
: Pa ð3x # aÞ a a x a L
>
6EI

w0 x 2 w0 L 4 w0 L 3
d¼ ð6L 2 # 4Lx þ x 2 Þ dB ¼ yB ¼
24EI 8EI 6EI

8
>
> w0 x 2 2 2
>
< 24EI ð6a # 4ax þ x Þ 0axaa
w0 a 3 w0 a 3
d¼ dB ¼ ð4L # aÞ yB ¼
>
> 3 24EI 6EI
: w0 a ð4x # aÞ
>
aaxaL
24EI

w0 x 2 w0 L 4 w0 L 3
d¼ ð10L 3 # 10L 2 x þ 5Lx 2 # x 3 Þ dB ¼ yB ¼
120L EI 30EI 24EI

M0 x 2 M0 L 2 M0 L
d¼ dB ¼ yB ¼
2EI 2EI EI

TABLE 6.2 Deflection Formulas for Cantilever Beams

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Px L PL 3 PL 2
48EI 2 48EI 16EI
d¼ ð3L 2 # 4x 2 Þ 0 a x a d max ¼ yA ¼ yB ¼

Pbx
0axaa
PbðL 2 # b 2 Þ 3=2
6L EI Pab
ðL 2 # x 2 # b 2 Þ d max ¼
9 3L EI
8

6L EI
yA ¼ ð2L # aÞ
>
>

Pb L 3 2 2 3
>
> pffiffi

d¼ L2 # b2
aÞ b x
>

Pab
>

3
at x ¼
6L EI b
<
ðx # þ ðL # Þx #
+ ) rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi

6L EI
yB ¼ ð2L # bÞ
aaxaL Pb
>
>
>
>

48EI
dcenter ¼ ð3L 2 # 4b 2 Þ if a > b
>
>
:

w0 x 5w0 L 4 w0 L 3
24EI 384EI 24EI
d¼ ðL 3 # 2Lx 2 þ x 3 Þ d max ¼ yA ¼ yB ¼

w0 x w0
w0 a 2
384EI
½a 2 ða # 2LÞ 2 þ 2aða # 2LÞx 2 þ Lx 3 ) dcenter ¼ ð5L 4 # 12L 2 b 2 þ 8b 4 Þ
8

24L EI
yA ¼ ða # 2LÞ 2
0axaa
>

if a b b
>
>
>

d¼
w0 a 2
>

w0 a 2
>
< 24L EI

w0 a 2
24L EI
yB ¼ ð2L 2 # a 2 Þ
ð#L þ xÞða 2 # 4Lx þ 2x 2 Þ dcenter
96EI
¼ ð3L 2 # 2a 2 Þ if a a b
aaxaL
>
>
>
>
>
>
: 24L EI

w0 L 4
7w0 L 3
EI
d max ¼ 0:006 522
w0 x 360EI
yA ¼
360L EI
d¼ ð7L 4 # 10L 2 x 2 þ 3x 4 Þ at x ¼ 0:5193L
w0 L 3
w0 L 4
45EI
yB ¼
dcenter
EI
¼ 0:006 510

M0 L 2 L M0 L
M0 x 6EI
yA ¼
9 3EI 3
6L EI
d¼ ðL 2 # x 2 Þ
M0 L 2 M0 L
d max ¼ pffiffi at x ¼ pffiffi

16EI 3EI
dcenter ¼ yB ¼

TABLE 6.3 Deflection Formulas for Simply Supported Beams

237

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Sample Problem 6.11

Compute the midspan value of EI d for the simply supported beam shown in Fig. (a)
that is carrying two concentrated loads.

Solution
The loading on the beam can be considered to be the superposition of the loads
shown in Figs. (b) and (c). According to Table 6.3, the displacement at the center of a
simply supported beam is given by
Pb
EI dcenter ¼ ð3L 2 # 4b 2 Þ where a > b
48
We can use this formula to obtain the midspan displacements d1 and d2 of the beams
in Figs. (b) and (c), provided we choose the dimensions a and b as shown in the fig-
ures (note that a must be larger than b). We obtain
ð80Þð3Þ
EI d1 ¼ ½3ð9Þ 2 # 4ð3Þ 2 ) ¼ 1035 lb ' ft 3 #
48
ð100Þð2Þ
EI d2 ¼ ½3ð9Þ 2 # 4ð2Þ 2 ) ¼ 946 lb ' ft 3 #
48
The midspan deflection of the original beam is obtained by superposition:
EI d ¼ EI d1 þ EI d2 ¼ 1035 þ 946 ¼ 1981 lb ' ft 3 # Answer
1
Sample Problem 6.12
The simply supported beam in Fig. (a) carries a uniformly distributed load over part
of its length. Compute the midspan displacement.

238

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Solution
The given loading can be analyzed as the superposition of the two loadings shown
in Figs. (b) and (c). From Table 6.3, the midspan value of EI d for the beam in
Fig. (b) is
w0
EI d1 ¼ ð5L 4 # 12L 2 b 2 þ 8b 4 Þ
384
600
¼ ½5ð6Þ 4 # 12ð6Þ 2 ð2Þ 2 þ 8ð2Þ 4 ) ¼ 7625 N ' m 3 #
384
Similarly, the midspan displacement of the beam in Fig. (c) is
w0 a 2 ð600Þð1Þ 2
EI d2 ¼ ð3L 2 # 2a 2 Þ ¼ ½3ð6Þ 2 # 2ð1Þ 2 ) ¼ 662:5 N ' m 3 "
96 96
The midspan displacement of the original beam is obtained by superposition:
EI d ¼ EI d1 # EI d2 ¼ 7625 # 662:5 ¼ 6960 N ' m 3 # Answer

1
Sample Problem 6.13

The overhanging beam ABC in Fig. (a) carries a concentrated load P at end C. De-
termine the displacement of the beam at C.

Solution
From the sketch of the elastic curve in Fig. (b), we see that the displacement of C is
dC ¼ yB b þ dC0
where yB is the slope angle of the elastic curve at B and dC0 is the displacement at C
due to the deformation of BC. We can obtain yB from the deformation of segment
AB, shown in Fig. (c). Using Table 6.3, we get
ðPbÞa
yB ¼
3EI
From Fig. (d) and Table 6.2, the displacement due to the deformation of BC is
Pb 3
dC0 ¼
3EI

239

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Therefore, the displacement at C becomes
Pba Pb 3 Pb 2 Pb 2 L
dC ¼ bþ ¼ ða þ bÞ ¼ # Answer
3EI 3EI 3EI 3EI

240

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Problems 241

Problems
6.68 For the beam in Sample Problem 6.11, find the values of EI d under the con-
centrated loads at B and C.
6.69 Determine the value of EI d at midspan of the simply supported beam.

100 N 100 N

4m 4m 2m

FIG. P6.69 FIG. P6.70

6.70 Find the midspan displacement of the simply supported beam using E ¼ 10
GPa and I ¼ 20 & 10 6 mm 4 .
6.71 Determine the midspan displacement for the simply supported beam.

FIG. P6.71

6.72 Compute the value of EI d at the overhanging end A of the beam.

200

3 3 3
FIG. P6.73
FIG. P6.72

6.73 Determine the value of EI d at midspan for the beam loaded by two con-
centrated forces.
6.74 The cross section of the wood beam is 4 in. by 8 in. Find the value of P for
which the downward deflection at the midspan is 0.5 in. Use E ¼ 1:5 & 10 6 psi.

FIG. P6.74 FIG. P6.75

6.75 Determine the value of EI d under each of the concentrated loads that are
applied to the simply supported beam.

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 242 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

FIG. P6.76 FIG. P6.77

6.76 The cross section of the rectangular beam is 50 mm wide. Determine the
smallest height h if the midspan deflection is limited to 20 mm. Use E ¼ 10 GPa.
6.77 For the overhanging beam, determine the magnitude and sense of EI y over
the support at C.
140 6.78 The overhanging beam ABC carries the uniformly distributed load between
its supports and the concentrated load P at end C. Find the value of P for which
there is no deflection at C.
6.79 The overhanging beam ABC carries the uniformly distributed load between
6 2 its supports and the concentrated load P at end C. Find the value of P for which the
FIG. P6.78, P6.79
deflection curve is horizontal at B.
6.80 For the overhanging beam, compute the value of EId under the 3000-lb load.
6.81 The overhanging beam carries the uniformly distributed load w0 over its en-
tire length. Determine the dimension a for which the displacement of the beam at end
C is zero.

3000 400

9 ft 15 ft 12 ft a

FIG. P6.80 FIG. P6.81

6.82 The trapezoidal loading is carried by the simply supported beam AB. The
beam is a steel tube with the cross section shown. Determine the displacement of
the beam at midspan and the slope angle of the elastic curve at end A. Use
E ¼ 200 GPa for steel.
6.83 For the overhanging beam, determine the value of EId under the 6000-lb load.

6000 lb 8000 lb ft

30 kN/m
15 kN/m 80 mm
A B
3m 70 mm 6 ft 6 ft 6 ft

FIG. P6.82 FIG. P6.83

60 kN/m 60 kN/m 6.84 Compute the value of EId at the free end of the cantilever beam.
6.85 Calculate the maximum displacement of the simply supported beam.
6.86 Determine the maximum value of EId for the cantilever beam that carries the
triangular loading shown in the figure.
4m 2m 2m

FIG. P6.84

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Problems 243

600 N/m
A

B C
3m 3m

FIG. P6.85 FIG. P6.86

6.87 Compute the value of EId at the right end of the overhanging beam.
6.88 The cantilever beam is made of a W10 & 33 section. Determine the displace-
ment and slope angle of the elastic curve at end C.

1600 N
1800 N/m 2400 lb 1500 lb
A 8 ft 8 ft
C
B
4m 2m W10 33

FIG. P6.87 FIG. P6.88

6.89 Calculate the horizontal displacement at C for the 3/4-in.-diameter bent steel
bar. Use E ¼ 29 & 106 psi for steel.
6.90 The cantilever beam AB of length L is loaded by the force P and the couple M0 .
Determine M0 in terms of P and L so that the slope of the elastic curve at A is zero.
C
30 lb
3/4-in. dia.

18 in.

A B
36 in.

FIG. P6.89 FIG. P6.90

6.91 The properties of the simply supported beam are E ¼ 70 GPa and
I ¼ 30 & 10 6 mm 4 . Determine the load intensity w0 that results in the midspan
deflection being equal to 1/360th of the span.
6.92 Determine the vertical displacement of point C of the frame ABC caused by
the applied couple M0 . Assume that EI is constant throughout the frame.

FIG. P6.91 FIG. P6.92, P6.93

6.93 Solve Prob. 6.92 if the couple M0 is replaced by a downward vertical load P.
6.94 Find the vertical displacement of point C of the frame ABC. The cross-
sectional moments of inertia are 2I0 for segment AB and I0 for segment BC. FIG. P6.94

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 244 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

Review Problems
6.95 (a) Determine the equation of the elastic curve for the cantilever beam.
(b) Using the result of part (a), compare the displacement at the free end with the
corresponding expression given in Table 6.2.

FIG. P6.95 FIG. P6.96

6.96 Derive the equation of the elastic curve for the beam AB. The support at B is
free to move vertically but does not allow rotation.
6.97 Find the equation of the elastic curve for the simply supported beam that
carries a distributed load of intensity w ¼ w0 x 2 =L 2 .
6.98 The intensity of the distributed loading acting on the simply supported beam
varies linearly from w0 at A to 2w0 at B. Determine the equation of the elastic curve
of the beam.

12

6 4

FIG. P6.97 FIG. P6.98 FIG. P6.99

6.99 Derive the equations of the elastic curve for the two segments of the over-
hanging beam ABC.
6.100 Find the equation of the elastic curve for segments AB and BC of the simply
supported beam.
6.101 Compute the value of EI y at support B of the overhanging beam shown in
the figure.
800
150

2 3 2

FIG. P6.100 FIG. P6.101 FIG. P6.102

6.102 Determine the value of EI d midway between the supports for the
overhanging beam.
6.103 The overhanging beam carries concentrated loads of magnitudes 100 lb and
P. (a) Determine P for which the slope of the elastic curve at B is zero. (b) Compute
the corresponding value of EI d under the 100-lb load.
FIG. P6.103

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Review Problems 245

6.104 Determine the maximum value of EI d of the cantilever beam.

FIG. P6.104 FIG. P6.105

6.105 The timber beam of rectangular cross section shown carries two concen-
trated loads, each of magnitude P. Find the maximum allowable value of P if the
midspan displacement of the beam is limited to 0.5 in. Use E ¼ 1:5 & 10 6 psi.
6.106 Compute the value of EI d at the right end of the overhanging beam.

60 90

6 8 4

FIG. P6.106 FIG. P6.107

6.107 For the simply supported beam, find the value of EI d under each con-
centrated load.
6.108 Determine the value of EI d at midspan of the simply supported beam.

45 90

6 4 8

FIG. P6.108 FIG. P6.109

6.109 The segments AB and BC of the bent bar have the same flexural rigidity EI.
Find the horizontal component of EI d at end C.
6.110 The steel bar, consisting of two equal-length segments of di¤erent diame-
ters, is used as a cantilever beam to support the triangular load shown. Calculate the
maximum deflection of the beam. Use E ¼ 29 & 106 psi for steel.

2.4 lb/in.
1.0 in. 0.75 in.
A 36 in. B 36 in. C

FIG. P6.110

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 246 CHAPTER 6 Deflection of Beams

Computer Problems
C6.1 The uniform cantilever beam of length L carries a distributed load w that
varies with the distance x. Given L, wðxÞ, E, and I, write a program to plot the de-
flection of the beam versus x. Apply the program to the steel (E ¼ 29 & 10 6 psi)
beams shown in Figs. (a) and (b). (Hint: Use superposition by applying the deflection
formulas for the beam with concentrated load in Table 6.2 to the load element w dx
and integrating the result from x ¼ 0 to L—see Sample Problem 6.11.)

FIG. C6.1

C6.2 Solve Prob. C6.1 assuming the beam to be simply supported at each end.
C6.3 The concentrated loads P1 and P2 travel across the simply supported beam
of length L and constant cross section. The loads are separated by the constant dis-
tance b. Given P1 , P2 , L, b, E, and I, plot the deflection under P1 as a function of the
distance x from x ¼ 0 to L. Use the following data: (a) P1 ¼ 12 kN, P2 ¼ 6 kN,
L ¼ 10 m, b ¼ 3 m, E ¼ 70 GPa, I ¼ 250 & 10 6 mm 4 ; and (b) P2 ¼ #6 kN, other
data the same as in part (a). (Hint: Use the method of superposition in conjunction
FIG. C6.3
with Table 6.3.)
C6.4 The overhanging beam of length L and constant cross section carries a uni-
formly distributed loading of intensity w0 . The distance between the supports is b.
Given L, b, w0 , E, and I, plot the deflection of the beam. Experiment with the pro-
gram to determine the value of b that minimizes the maximum displacement. Use the
following data: L ¼ 6 m, w0 ¼ 12 kN/m, E ¼ 200 GPa, and I ¼ 95 & 10 6 mm 4 .
(Hint: Use superposition in conjunction with Tables 6.2 and 6.3.)

FIG. C6.4

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 6.2 Computer Problems 247

C6.5 The cantilever beam of length L carries a concentrated load P at the free end.
The rectangular cross section has a constant width b, but the depth varies as
x
h ¼ h1 þ ðh2 # h1 Þ
L
Given L, P, b, h1 , h2 , and E, plot the elastic curve of the beam. Use the following
data: L ¼ 6 ft, P ¼ 2000 lb, b ¼ 2 in., h1 ¼ 2 in., h2 ¼ 10 in., and E ¼ 29 & 10 6 psi.
(Hint: Use the moment-area method.)
C6.6 The simply supported beam of length L carries a concentrated force P at a
distance b from the left support. The flanges of the beam have a constant cross-
sectional area Af , but the distance h between the flanges varies from h1 to h2 as
shown. The moment of inertia of the cross section can be approximated by
I ¼ 2Af ðh=2Þ 2 . Given L, b, P, Af , h1 , h2 , and E, plot the deflection of the beam ver-
sus the distance x. Use the following data: L ¼ 16 ft, b ¼ 10 ft, P ¼ 30 kips, Af ¼ 8
in. 2 , h1 ¼ 8 in., h2 ¼ 20 in., and E ¼ 29 & 10 6 psi. (Hint: Use the moment-area
method.)

FIG. C6.5 FIG. C6.6

Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
 Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.