ECS 448

DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

Topic 5
Deformation

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

1) Determine the elastic deflections of a structure by using

geometrical method known as Moment-Area method.
2) Determine the elastic deflections of a structure by using
energy method known as Virtual Work Method

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Deflection Diagrams & Elastic Curve

Deflections of structures can come from loads, temperature,
fabrication errors or settlement

In designs, deflections must be limited in order to prevent
cracking of attached brittle materials

A structure must not vibrate or deflect severely for the comfort
of occupants

Deflections at specified points must be determined if one is to
analyse statically indeterminate structures

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Deflection Diagrams & Elastic Curve

In this topic, only linear elastic material response is considered

This means a structure subjected to load will return to its
original undeformed position after the load is removed

It is useful to sketch the shape of the structure when it is loaded
in order to visualise the computed results & to partially check
the results

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Deflection Diagrams & Elastic Curve

This deflection diagram represent the elastic curve for the points at
the centroids of the cross-sectional areas along each of the
members.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Deflection Diagrams & Elastic Curve

If the elastic curve seems difficult to

establish, it is suggested that the
moment diagram be drawn first and
then construct the curve

Due to pin-and-roller support, the

displacement at A & D must be zero

Within the region of ve moment, the

elastic curve is concave downward

Within the region of +ve moment, the

elastic curve is concave upward

There must be an inflection point where

the curve changes from concave down
to concave up

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Deflection Diagrams & Elastic Curve

In Figure (a), the roller at A allows

free rotation with no deflection while
the fixed wall at B prevents both
rotation & deflection

In Figure (b), no rotation or deflection

occur at A & B

In Figure (c), the couple moment will

rotate end A, this will cause deflections
at both ends of the beam since no
deflection is possible at B & C. Notice
that segment CD remains undeformed
since no internal load acts within

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Deflection Diagrams & Elastic Curve

In Figure (d), the pin at B allows

rotation, so the slope of the deflection
curve will suddenly change at this point
while the beam is constrained by its
support

In Figure (e), the compound beam

deflects as shown. The slope changes
abruptly on each side of B

In Figure (f), span BC will deflect

concave upwards due to load. Since
the beam is continuous, the end spans
will deflect concave downwards

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Moment Area
Method
ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Moment Area Theorem

This method were initially developed by Otto Mohr and later

stated formally by Charles E. Greene in 1873.

Concept: determine the slope of the elastic curve & deflection

that due to bending.

Advantage: deals with beams that subjected to series of

loadings or having different moments of inertia.

Disadvantages: can only be used to determine the angles or

deviations between 2 tangents on the beams elastic curve.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Moment Area Theorem

Theorem No. 1 : B/A =

AM

EI

dx

The change in slope between any two

points on the elastic curve equals the
area of the M/EI diagram between
these two points.

The notation
is referred to as the
angle of the tangent at B measured
with respect to the tangent at A.

The
angle
is
measured
counterclockwise from tangent A to
tangent B if the area of the M/EI
diagram is positive (clockwise if the
area of M/EI diagram is negative i.e.
below the x axis)

B/A is measured in radians

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Moment Area Theorem

A

Theorem No. 2 : t B/A = x

B

M
dx
EI

The vertical deviation of the tangent at a point (A) on the elastic curve with respect
to the tangent extended from another point (B) equals the moment of the area
under the M/EI diagram between the two points (A and B). This moment is
computed about point A (the point on the elastic curve), where the deviation is to
be determined.

t A/ B tB/ A
ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Moment Area Theorem

Procedure of Analysis
Step 1: Draw M/EI diagram

Determine the support reactions and draw the beams M/EI diagram

If the beam is loaded with concentrated forces, the M/EI diagram will consist of a
series of straight line segments.
Step 2: Draw elastic curve diagram

Draw an exaggerated view of the beams elastic curve. Recall that points of zero
slope occur at fixed supports and zero displacement occurs at all fixed, pin, and
roller supports.
Step 3: Apply Moment Area Theorems

Apply Theorem 1 to determine the angle between two tangents, and Theorem 2
to determine vertical deviations between these tangents.

After applying either Theorem 1 or Theorem 2, the algebraic sign of the answer
can be verified from the angle or deviation as indicated on the elastic curve.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 1
Determine the slope at points B and C of the beam shown below.
Take E = 200GPa and I = 360(106)mm4. (Theorem 1).

10 kN

B
A

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

C
5m

5m

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 1
Step 1.
Draw M/EI diagram. Draw normal BMD by assuming EI is a constant value.
10 kN
MX

MX + = 0
MX = - 10 (X)

M0 = 0 kNm #
M5 = - 50 kNm #
M10 = - 100 kNm #

Step 2.
Draw Elastic Curve diagram then draw a tangent line at point A, B and C.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 1
Step 3.
Apply Moment Area Theorem (Theorem No. 1)

B/A =

AM

EI

dx

B/A can be determined by calculating the area from M/EI diagram between A and B

1 50kNm
50kNm
B = B / A =
( 5m )
( 5m )
EI
2
EI

375kNm 2
=
= 0.00521rad
EI

C = C / A =

1 100 kNm

(10 m)
2
EI

500 kNm 2
=
= 0.00694 rad
EI

Note : The ve sign indicates that the angle is measured clockwise from A

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 2
Determine the deflection at points B and C of the beam shown in the figure below.
Values for the moment of inertia of each segment are indicated in the figure. Take
E = 200 Gpa. (Theorem 2).

500 N.m
IAB = 8 x 106 mm4
A

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

IBC = 4 x 106 mm4

C

B
3m

4m

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 2
Step 1.
Draw M/EI diagram. Draw normal BMD by assuming EI is a constant value.
Take I = 4 x 106 mm4 then Member AB = 2I and member BC = I
M
500 N.m
2EI

EI
X

Step 2.
Draw Elastic Curve diagram then draw a tangent line at point A, B and C.

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 2
Step 3.
Apply Moment Area Theorem (Theorem No. 2)

t B/A = x
B

M
dx
EI

t B/A can be determined by calculating the area from M/EI diagram between A and B

250Nm

B = t B/A =
(4m) (2m)
EIBC

2000Nm 3
B =
= 2.5mm
EIBC
250Nm

500Nm

C = t C/A =
(4m) (5m) +
(3m) (1.5m)
EIBC

EIBC

7250Nm 3
C =
= 9.06mm
EIBC

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 3
Determine the slope at points C of the beam shown in the figure below. Take E =
200 GPa., I = 360 x 106 mm4

40 kN
C

2m

4m

2m

Note:
When dealing with unsymmetrical loadings, you may need to combined both theorem 1 & 2.
ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 3
Step 1.
Draw M/EI diagram. Draw normal BMD by assuming EI is a constant value.
MX + = 0

M
EI

20
EI

60
EI

MX = 10 (X)
10 kN

MX
X

M0 = 0 kNm #

M2 = 20 kNm #

2m

M6 = 60 kNm #

Step 2.

4m

2m

Draw Elastic Curve diagram then draw a tangent line at point A, B and C.
Since the deflection is actually very small

tB/ A
=
L AB

C = C/A
ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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t B/A
=
C/A
L AB
Topic 5 Deformation

Example 3
Step 3.
Apply Moment Area Theorem (Theorem No. 1 & No. 2)

M
EI

20
EI

Theorem 2;

3
X

2m

4m

2m

Theorem 1;

t B/A = x
B

60
EI

M
dx
A EI

C/A =

B/A

1
2
1
60kN.m
1
60kN.m
(2m) (2m)
+ 2m + (6m) (6m)

3
2
EI
3
2
EI

800kN.m 3
=
EI

2
1
20kN.m 20kN.m

= (2m)
=
C/A 2
EI
EI

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

M
dx
EI

Since

C =

t B/A
C/A
LAB

800kN.m 3 20kN.m 2
C =

(8m )EI
EI
80kN.m 2
C =
= 0.00111rad
EI
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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 4
Determine the deflection at points C of the beam shown in the figure below. Take E
= 200 GPa., I = 250 x 106 mm4

6 kN/m

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

8m

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8m

Topic 5 Deformation

Example 4
Step 1.
Draw M/EI diagram. Draw normal BMD by assuming EI is a constant value.
Member AB From Left
(0<x<8)
MX + = 0
MX = -25 (X)
M0 = 0 kNm #
M8 = -192 kNm #

Member BC From Right

(0<x<8)
MX + = 0
MX = -6(X)(X/2)
MX = -3X2
M0 = 0 kNm #
M8 = -192 kNm #

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 4
Step 2.
Draw Elastic Curve diagram then draw a tangent line at point A, B and C.

C = tC/A '
C = tC/A 2t B/A

' t B/A
16 = 8

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Example 4
Step 3.
Apply Moment Area Theorem (Theorem No. 2)
A

Theorem 2; tC/A

M
= x dx
EI
C

t B/A = x
B

M
dx
EI

3
1
192kN.m 1
1
192kN.m
tC/A = (8m) (8m)
+ (8m) + 8m (8m)

4
3
EI
3
2
EI

tC/A

11264kN.m 3
=
EI

1
1
192kN.m
t B/A = (8m) (8m)

EI
3
2

t B/A

2048kN.m 3
=
EI

11264
2048
2

EI
EI
7168
C = = 0.143m
EI

C =

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Review
Problems
ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Problem 1
Calculate displacement and slope at point D of the beam shown in the Figure P1
using the Moment-Area Theorems. Take E = 200 GPa., I = 60 x 106 mm4 .
20 kN
A

B
C
5m

D
8m

7m

Figure P1

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Problem 2
Calculate displacement and slope at point D of the beam shown in the Figure P2
using the Moment-Area Theorems. Take E = 200 GPa., I = 60 x 106 mm4 .
20 kN

20 kN

B
C
5m

D
3m

E
7m

5m

Figure P2

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation

Problem 3
Calculate displacement and slope at point D of the beam shown in the Figure P3
using the Moment-Area Theorems. Take E = 200 GPa., I = 60 x 106 mm4 .
20 kN.m
B

A
C
5m

D
7m

5m

Figure P3

ECS 448 - DETERMINATE STRUCTURES

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Topic 5 Deformation