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# 21

Deflection of Beams
Theory & Examples
* Moment-Curvature Relation (developed earlier):

M
EI

From calculus, the curvature of the plane curve shown is given by

y

d y
dx 2

dy
1 +
dx
2

3/ 2

y(x)
x

For very small deformation (as it is the case in most engineering problems),
(dy/dx)2 << 1
Thus,

d2y

dx 2
1

M
d2y
=
EI
dx 2

d2y
M = EI
dx 2

dM
Recall that V ( x ) =
dx

y is the deflection

&

Elastic curve or
Deformed shape

dV
w( x ) =
dx

Thus, the summary is

d 2M
d4 y
= EI
= load
w( x ) =
dx 2
dx 4

(1)

dM
d3y
= EI
= shear
V( x ) =
dx
dx 3

(2)

d2y
M ( x ) = EI
= Moment
dx 2

(3)

dy
= slope
dx

(4)

( x ) =

V = w dx

M = V dx = w dx dx
=

M
w
dx =
dx dx dx
EI
EI

w
y = dx =
dx dx dx dx
EI
The deflection of the beam is needed for two main reasons:
1) To limit the maximum deflection (i.e. ymax yallowable)
2) To determine the reactions in statically indeterminate (SI) problems

If the beam is designed based on the maximum allowable deflection, this is called
design for stiffness. If the design is based on limiting the maximum (allowable)
stress, it is called design for strength. In most applications, the stress controls
(i.e. limiting the stress is more important than limiting the deflection because
deflections are usually very small in typical structures). Thus, the second
reason above (SI problems) is more important than the first one (to limit the
maximum deflection).

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There are many methods for calculating slopes and deflections of beams. In this
course, only three methods are covered. In CE 305 (Structural Analysis I), several
methods, including energy and computer procedures, are discussed in details.
The three methods are

1) Double Integration
2) Successive Integration
3) Singularity function
In fact, these three methods have the same theoretical basis; thus, they could be
considered as one way, with different branches, for determining deflections. It is the
elementary, fundamental, or basic method of integration.

The deflection due to the moment only will be discussed here. The deflection due to
the shear is discussed in CE 305 and other courses. However, yV is usually much less
than yM . Therefore, yV is negligible in most cases.

1) Double integration method:

If the moment equation is known or it can be obtained easily, then by integrating
twice (double), the deflection equation can be determined. In this case, two
integration constants for each moment equation appear; therefore, two boundary
conditions (B.Cs.) for each equation are needed. Note that there could be more than
one moment equation in a beam, depending on the loading conditions.

In statically indeterminate beams, the moment equation can not be written

explicitly, but it must be written in terms of some of the unknown reactions. Thus,
more than two boundary conditions are needed in order to solve for the two constants
and the unknown reactions, as will be seen in the examples. [These extra reactions

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are usually called redundants.] In general, the number of B. C.s has to equal to 2
plus the degree of statically indeterminacy of the beam (n), or
B.C.s = 2 + n

__________________________________
Example 1:
Write the B.C.s for each of the beams shown below [1(a) to 1 (f)].

y() = 0

y(0) = 0

y(0) = 0
(0) = 0
1(a)

1(b)

y() = 0
() = 0

1(d)

1(c)

y() = 0
() = 0

y(0) = 0
(0) = 0
1(e)

y() = 0

y(0) = 0

(0) = 0

y(0) = 0
(0) = 0

y() = 0
1(f)

y(2) = 0

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The discussion above about B.C.s is true for beams with a single moment equation. If
the beam has more than one moment equation, then the total number of constants is
equal to 2 times the number of equations. Thus, two B.C.s are not enough to solve for
all the constants. Therefore, the concept of continuity conditions (C.C.s) is
introduced. That is, the slope and deflection must be continuous between adjacent
intervals. These continuity conditions give additional or supplementary equations
which make it possible to solve for all the constants, as illustrated below. However, as
the number of moment equations increases the number of unknown constants
increases as well, giving a large number of equations which have to be solved
simultaneously. This could be very tedious and time-consuming; thus, this method
becomes impractical, and a better one, called singularity function method, is
introduced, as will be discussed later. Because of that, beams with one moment
equation only are covered by this method as well as by the method of successive
integration.

Example 2:
Write the B.C.s and the C.C.s for each of the beams shown below [2(a) & 2(b)].

y(a-) = y(a+)

y() = 0

(a-) = (a+)

() = 0

C.C.s

B.C.s

2(a)

y(a) = 0
(a-) = (a+)

y(b-) = y(b+)
(b-) = (b+)

B.C.s & C.C.s

C.C.s

y() = 0
() = 0

B.C.s

2(b)

Example 3:
Derive an expression for the elastic curve (deflection) and find the maximum y &
in the beam shown.

Solution:
From the FBD shown, the moment equation can be written:
M(x) = Mo

EI ( x ) = M ( x ) dx = M o dx = M o x + C 1
EI y( x ) = EI ( x ) dx = ( M o x + C 1 ) dx =
B.C.s : y() = 0 ; () = 0
() = 0

Mo + C 1 = 0

1
M o x 2 + C1 x + C2
2

[two B.C.s and two constants OK]

C 1 = - Mo

y() = 0 Mo 2 + (-Mo) + C2 = 0

C2 = Mo 2

EI (x) = Mo (x - )
2
x2
EI y( x ) = M o
+ x +

2
2

max & ymax are at the free end. In general, ymax is always at the free end or at the
point Where

max = (0)
ymax = y(0)

dy
= 0.
dx
max = -Mo = Mo (cw)
ymax = Mo2/2
()

@ x=0
@ x=0

Example 4:
Derive equations for and y for the beam shown.

Solution:
M(x) = wo x wo2 wo x2/2

FBDs

1
x2
2
) dx
EI = M dx = ( w o x w o w o
2
2
=

1
1
1
1
1
1
w o x 2 w o 2 x w o x 3 + C 1 = w o x 3 + w o x 2 w o 2 x + C 1
2
2
6
6
2
2

1
1
1

EIy = EIdx = w o x 3 + w o x 2 w o 2 x + C 1
2
2
6

1
1
1
=
w o x 4 + w o x 3 w o 2 x 2 + C 1 x + C 2
24
6
4
B.C.s:

(0) = 0 C1 = 0
y(0) = 0 C2 = 0

( x ) =

wo
( x 3 + 3 x 2 3 2 x )
6 EI

y( x ) =

wo
( x 4 + 4 x 3 6 2 x 2 )
24 EI

Solve this example with x from right to left.

Which one is easier ?! Why?

Example 5:
For the beam shown, determine the reactions.

EI = Constant
Note that forces/reactions
in the x-direction are
usually ignored in beams.
Solution:
Since the beam is statically indeterminate, the reactions are not known and, thus,
the moment equation can not be written explicitly; therefore, it has to be written in
terms of some of the unknown reactions.

wo x 2
+ Mo = 0 M(x) RAx
2
w
M ( x ) = RA x + o x 3
6

x
=0
3
FBD

wo 3
1
1
x ) dx = RA x 2 +
wo x 4 + C 1
6
2
24
1

1
w o x 4 + C 1 dx
EIy( x ) = EI ( x ) dx = R A x 2 +
24

2
1
1
= RA x 3 +
wo x 5 + C 1 x + C 2
6
120
EI ( x ) = M ( x ) dx = ( RA x +

B.C.s:

y(0) = 0
;
( ) = 0
;
y( ) = 0
3 B.C.s & 3 unknowns (C1, C2, RA ) ok

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y(0) = 0 C2 = 0

( )= 0

w
1
RA 2 + o 4 + C 1 = 0
24
2

w
1 2
RA + C 1 + o 3 = 0
24
2
y( ) = 0

(1)

w
1
RA 3 + o 5 +C 1 = 0
6
120

w
1 2
RA + C 1 + o 3 = 0
120
6

(2)

By solving Equations (1) & (2),

RA =

wo

10

RA =

wo
10

()

wo 3
and C 1 =
120

( x ) =
y( x ) =

wo
( 5 x 4 6 2 x 2 + 4 )
120 EI

wo
( x 5 2 2 x 3 + 4 x )
120 EI

At this stage, static can be used to find the remaining reactions. In the FBD,
+ Fy = 0
FBD

wo wo

+ RB = 0
2
10
RB =

2
wo
5

+ MB = 0

RB =

2 wo
5

wo 2 wo 2

+ MB =0
10
6

[We can also use the relation MB = - M().]

()

(Why?!)

wo 2
MB =
15

( )

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2) Successive integration method:

This method is similar to the double integration procedure except that it starts with
the load equation instead of the moment equation. This method is utilized when the
loading on the beam is so complicated that it is not easy to obtain the moment
equation. Otherwise, double integration method is better. Note that 4 constants, not
2, appear after integrating the load function four times. Thus, 4 B.C.s are needed;
they include shear & moment B.C.s

Example 6:
Rework Example 5 utilizing the successive integration method.
Solution:

EI = Constant
w
w( x ) = o x

wo 2
x + C1
2
w
M ( x ) = V dx = o x 3 + C 1 x + C 2
6

V ( x ) = w dx =

Note that forces/reactions

in the x-direction are
usually ignored in beams.

[ Note that no need for FBD to obtain M(x) ]

EI ( x ) = M dx =

wo 4 C 1 2
x +
x + C2 x + C3
24
2

EI y( x ) = EI dx =

wo 5 C 1 3 C 1 2
x +
x +
x + C3 x + C4
120
6
2

B.C.s:
M(0) = 0 ; y(0) = 0 ; () = 0 ; y() = 0

M(0) = 0
y(0) = 0

C2 = 0

C4 = 0

() = 0

wo 3 C 1 2
+ + C3 = 0
24
2

y() = 0

wo 4 C 1 3
+ + C3 = 0
120
6

(4 equations & 4 unknowns ok)

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two equations & 2 unknowns (C1 and C3)

wo
10

C1 =

wo 3
C3 =
120

and

( x )=

wo
( 5 x 4 62 x 2 + 4 )
120 EI

y( x ) =

wo
( x 5 2 2 x 3 + 4 x )
120 EI

RA = V(0)
RA =

wo wo
()
=
10
10

From equilibrium (as in Example 5),

+ Fy = 0

RB =

&

2 wo
5

()

wo
15

( )

MB =

and

[You can also use RB = - V()

(Why?!)

MB = 0

&

MB = - M().]

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Example 7:
Obtain formulas for the slope and deflection, and determine the reactions at A
and B for the beam shown.
EI= Constant

Solution:
It is SI. (Why?! Show!)

w ( x ) = w o cos

x
Deformed shape

2
V ( x ) = w dx = w o sin
x + C1
2

2
M ( x ) = V dx = w o cos
x + C1 x + C2

2

2

2
EI ( x ) = M dx + w o sin x + 1 x 2 + C 2 x + C 3
2
2

3

C
C

2
EI y( x ) = EI dx = w o cos x + 1 x 3 + 2 x 2 + C 3 x + C 4
2
6
2

4

B.C.s

( 0 ) = 0 C3 = 0
4

2
2
y( 0 ) = 0 w o + C 4 = 0 C 4 = w o


M() = 0

C1 + C2 = 0

(1)
4

y( ) = 0

3
2
2
C1
+ C 2 + wo = 0
6
2

Two equations and two unknowns

C1 =

48

wo

C2 =

(2)

48 2

w0

48
2
V ( x ) = w o sin
x + 4 wo
2

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48
48 2

2
M ( x ) = w o cos
x + 4 wo x
wo
4
2

24
48 2

2
2
EI ( x ) = w o sin
x + 4 wo x 4 wo x
2

8
24 2

2
2
3
EI y( x ) = w o cos
x + 4 wo x
wo x 2 + wo
4
2

RA = V ( 0 )

MA = M(0 )

RA =

48

wo

()

4 2 48 2
MA =
w o = 0.0875 2 w o = 0.0875 2 w o
4

[Note direction of MA ! Why??!!]

RB = V ( )

2 48
RB = 4 w o = 0.144 w o

()

Can you use double integration method to solve this example?!

Explain!

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3) Singularity function method:

The singularity functions permit the expression of ANY system of loads as an
equivalent distributed load. Thus, one equation for each of w, V , M, , and y
can be written.

Macaulay functions:
xa

a
o

=
n
( x a )

x<a
xa

n = 0,1,2,3

n+ 1

xa
d =
n+1

Note that are called pointed (or angle) brackets.

Also note that the quantity inside the brackets can never be
negative. If you tried it and it came out to be negative, then it
means it is ZERO.

Example 8:
Using the singularity function, write the equivalent load equation for
each of the beams shown below.
(a)

we = - wo x-a 0

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(b)

we = - wo x-0 0 + wo x-a 0

(c)

we = wo x-a 0 wo x-b 0

Singularity functions for concentrated force

xa
x

0
=

xa
x=a

d = x a

(Dirac Delta or unit impulse function)

we = P x-a-1
x

w d = P a

= P xa

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Singularity functions for concentrated couple

xa
x

0
=

xa
x=a

d = x a

we = C x-a2

Example 9:
Write a single equation for M using the singularity function.

Solution:
RA = 2 kN

RB = 8 kN

Draw FBD of the last segment

M( x ) = 2 x 0

+ 50 x 2

10 x 4

+ 4 x6

4 x 8

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Example 10:
Determine the equivalent distributed load associated with the beam
shown in the figure below. Determine the shear, moment, slope, and
deflection equations, using the Macaulay functions and the
singularity functions.

Solution:
The equivalent distributed load corresponding to all applied forces and reactions is

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1

we = 2 x 0

0.4 x 0 0.4 x 10
0

] + 20 x 15

+ 2 x 20

(a)
The shear force equation is obtained by integrating Eq. (a); consequently,

V ( x )= 2 x 0

0.4 x 0

0.4 x 10

]+ 20 x 15

+ 2 x 20
(b)

The moment equation is obtained by integrating Eq. (b); thus

M ( x ) = 2 x 0 0.2 x 0 0.2 x 10
1

]+ 20 x 15

+ 2 x 20

(c)
Notice that neither equation requires a constant of integration because we included
the reactions in the expression for the equivalent distributed load. If the reactions
had not been included in we , a constant of integration would be required for each
integration.
The equations for slope and deflection follow from Eq. (c):

0.2
2
3
3
0.2
EI ( x ) = x 0
x0
x 10 + 20 x 15
3
3

(d)

+ x 20 + C 1
2

and

0.2
3
4
4
0.2
EI y( x ) = 13 x 0
x0
x 10 + 10 x 15
12
12

(e)

+ 13 x 20 + C 1 x + C 2
3

A constant of integration has been included for each integration that leads to the
last two equations. These constants are required so that boundary conditions
appropriate to the problem can be satisfied. In the present case, the boundary
conditions yield
y(0) = 0

y( 20 ) = 0

C2 = 0

(f)

20 3 0.2
0.2

( 20 ) 4
( 10 ) 4 + 10 ( 5 ) 2 + 20 C 1 = 0
3
12

12
Accordingly,

(g)

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C1 =

500
24

(h)

Let us write the shear and moment equations for the intervals 0 x 10 and
10 x 15. From Eqs. (b) and (c), we determine that

0 x 10
V ( x ) = 2 0.4 x
M ( x ) = 2 x 0.2 x 2

and

10 x 15

V ( x ) = 2 0.4 x + 0.4 ( x 10 ) (i)

M ( x ) = 2 x 0.2 x 2 + 0.2( x 10 ) 2

Verify that these equations are correct by drawing appropriate free-body diagrams
and invoking force and moment equilibrium.

Example 11:
Rework Example 10 above by starting with the moment equation.
Solution:
Note that once the distributed load starts, it has to continue up to the
end of the beam. Thus, the load is redrawn as shown.

Note the directions of forces

Next, make a section (cut) through the last segment of the beam (near the right
support) after calculating the reactions. Then, draw the FBD of the left portion
as shown.

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Now, the moment equation can be written.

Mp = 0

M( x )= 2 x 0

0.4
x0
2

0.4
x 10
2

+ 20 x 15

(Note that the right reaction is not involved in the equation. Why?!)

EI ( x ) = x 0

0.4
x0
2( 3 )

0.4
x 10
2( 3 )

0.4
x 10
24

EI y( x ) =

1
x0
3

B.C.s:

y(0) = 0

C2 = 0

y(20) = 0

C1 = -125/6

0.4
x0
24

+ 20 x 15

20
x 15
2

+ C1

+ C1 X + C2

Singularity Function:

EI y( x ) =

1
x0
3

1
x0
60

1
x 10
60

+ 10 x 15

125
x0
6

[for any value of x]

Normal Functions:

EI y( x ) =

1 3 1 4 125
x
x
x
6
3
60

125
1
1
1
EIy ( x ) = x 3 x 4 + ( x 10 )4
x
3
60
60
6
EI y( x ) =

for 0 x 10

for 10 x 15

1 3 1 4 1
125
x x + ( x 10 )4 + 10 ( x 15 )2
x
3
60
60
6

for 15 x 20

Some of the equations above can be simplified.

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Example 12
Given:
The beam shown
EI = Constant

Deformed shape

Required.:
The reaction at A
Solution:
Since the beam is statically indeterminate, the moment equation must be
expressed in terms of some of the unknown reactions.

From the FBD

w
M p = 0 M ( x ) = RA x 0 o x

= RA x 0
1

wo
x
6

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EI ( x ) = M ( x ) dx =

w
1
2
4
RA x 0 o x + C 1
2
24

EI y( x ) = EI ( x ) dx =

1
RA x 0
6

wo
x
120

+ C1 x + C2

B.Cs.:
y(0) = 0

(2) = 0
y(2) = 0

3 equations & 3 unknowns (C1 , C2 , and RA)

y(0) = 0

C2 = 0

( 2 ) = 0
C1 =
y( 2 ) = 0

w
1
R A ( 2 ) 2 o ( 2 )4 + C 1 = 0
2
24

wo 3
2 RA 2
24

wo
1
R A ( 2 ) 3
( 2 )5 + C 1 ( 2 ) = 0
6
120

w
w
4
RA 3 o 4 + o 4 4 RA 3 = 0
3
120
12

RA =

9
wo
320

Note that once RA is found, the remaining reactions at B can be

determined by the Statics equilibrium equations. (Try it yourself !)