Structuraldeflections Virtualmethod Latifee PDF
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AbdulrafiuStructuraldeflections Virtualmethod Latifee PDF
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AbdulrafiuStructural Deflections-Virtual Work/Unit Load Method
-Dr. E. R. Latifee
Question: What are Structural Deflections?
Answer:
The deformations or movements of a structure and its components,
such as beam ends, truss joints etc., from their original
positions/location.
Deflection is caused by many sources, such as, loads, temperature,
construction error, and settlements.
Deflections are most often caused by internal loadings such as
bending moment and axial force.
What is the importance of computing deflections in structures?
Answer:
Structures such as buildings and bridges consist of a number of
components such as beams, columns and foundations all of which act
together
If beams deflect excessively then this can cause visual distress to the users
of the building and can lead to damage of parts of the building including
brittle partition dividers between rooms and services such as water and
heating pipes and ductwork.
Beam design is carried out according to principles set out in Codes of
Practice and typically the maximum deflection is limited to the beam’s span
length divided by 250. Hence a 5m span beam can deflect as much as
20mm without adverse effect. Thus, in many situations it is necessary to
calculate, using numerical methods, the actual beam deflection under the
anticipated design load and compare this figure with the allowable value to
see if the chosen beam section is adequate.
Computation of deflection of structures is necessary for the following
reasons:
a. If the deflection of a structure is more than the permissible, the
structure will not look aesthetic and will cause psychological upsetting
of the occupants.
b. Excessive deflection may cause cracking in the materials attached
to the structure. For example, if the deflection of a floor beam is
excessive, the floor finishes and partition walls supported on the
beam may get cracked and unserviceable.
c. The ability to determine the deflection of a structure is very
important. It is as important for the designer to determine deflections
and strains as these will help to know the stresses caused by the
loads.
An elastic structure is one that returns to its original position after the load
is removed.
Define Elastic Curve: The curved shape of the longitudinal centroidal
surface of a beam when the transverse loads acting on it produced wholly
elastic stresses.
If the equation for the elastic curve is known, the differential equations of
the theory of bending can be used to determine the amount of deflection for
any section of a beam, as well as the angle of rotation, the bending
moment, and the transverse force. The equation of the elastic curve is
derived from the approximate differential equation for the axis of a bent
beam, which may be solved by either the analytic or the graphic-analytic
method. The latter is particularly convenient when it is sufficient to find the
deflection or angle of rotation at isolated points of the beam, in which case
there is no need to derive analytic expressions for the elastic curve.
Statically indeterminate structures are the ones where the independent reaction
components, and/or internal forces cannot be obtained by using the equations of
equilibrium only. To solve indeterminate systems, we must combine the
concept of equilibrium with compatibility.
Check for indeterminacy:
# of unknowns > # of equations. (3m + r) > (3j + c); m = # of members, r =
# of reactions, j = # of joints, c = # of internal hinges.
Q. What are the Methods for computation of deflections in structures?
Ans:
1. Double integration method or Macaulay’s method
2. Conjugate beam method- The conjugate-beam method was developed by H. Müller-
Breslau in 1865.
3. Moment area method
4. Method of elastic weights
5. Virtual work method or unit load method
6. Strain energy method
7. Williot Mohr diagram method
Virtual work method or unit load method
The Deflection, ∆c = ,
Where Mo = Bending moment distribution (moment at any point) due to actual loading
M1 = Bending moment distribution (moment at any point) due to virtual/unit loading
E = Modulus of elasticity of the material of beam
I = Moment of inertia of beam section
L = beam span
∆c = deflection at point C
Procedure for Analysis- Virtual work method or unit load method
The following is a step-by-step procedure to find defection and slope at a point using the
Virtual Work Method. An understanding of Beam Analysis is recommended before
undertaking this type of Virtual Work problem.
Step 1: Solve for the support reactions in the real system using Equilibrium and
Compatibility.
Step 2: Create an expression(s) for moment in the real system in terms of 'x' distance.
The number of expressions will be governed by the number of cuts that are needed to
solve the structure.
Step 3: Create a virtual system by removing all forces acting on the beam, and applying
a unit load to find the expression for deflection, and a unit moment to find an expression
for slope. Repeat step 2 for the virtual system.
Step 4: Substitute moment values into the deflection expression and integrate to solve
for the deflection at the point of interest.
Background Theory
Beam Deflections – Virtual Work
Consider the following
