Example 3.

A simply supported beam of span L, carries a concentrated load P at a distance a from the left-
hand side support as shown in the figure below. Using castigliano’s theorem, determine the
deflection under the load. Assume a uniform flexural rigidity.

Solution

𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑎
𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵, 𝑅 = ,𝑅 =
𝐿 𝐿
Portion AC CB
Origin A B
Limit 0-a 0-b
M 𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑎
𝑥 𝑥
𝐿 𝐿
Flexural rigidity EI EI
Shear energy on the beam

𝑀
𝑈= 𝑑𝑥
2𝐸𝐼

𝑃𝑏 1 𝑃𝑎 1
𝑈= 𝑥 ∗ 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑥 ∗ 𝑑𝑥
𝐿 2𝐸𝐼 𝐿 2𝐸𝐼

𝑃 𝑏 1 𝑃 𝑎 1
= ∗ 𝑥 + ∗ 𝑥
𝐿 6𝐸𝐼 𝐿 6𝐸𝐼

𝑃 𝑏 𝑎 𝑃 𝑎 𝑏
= +
6𝐸𝐼𝐿 6𝐸𝐼𝐿
𝑃 𝑎 𝑏
= (𝑎 + 𝑏)
6𝐸𝐼𝐿
𝑃 𝑎 𝑏
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝐿
6𝐸𝐼𝐿
𝛿𝑈 𝑃𝑎 𝑏
∆ = =
𝛿𝑃 3𝐸𝐼𝐿
Example 3.6

1
A simple beam AB supports a uniform load of intensity q = 1.5kN/m and a concentrated load
of P = 5kN. The load P acts at the midpoint C of the beam. The beam has length L = 8 m,
modulus of elasticity E = 30x106 N/mm2 and moment of inertia I = 75 mm4. Determine the
downward deflection at the midpoint of the beam by the Castigliano’s methods.

Solution

The reaction at the left-hand

𝑃 𝑞𝐿
𝑅 = +
2 2
𝑞𝑥 𝑃𝑥 𝑞𝐿𝑥 𝑞𝑥
𝑀=𝑅 𝑥− = + −
2 2 2 2

𝑀 𝑑𝑥 1 𝑃𝑥 𝑞𝐿𝑥 𝑞𝑥
𝑈= =2 + − 𝑑𝑥
2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼 2 2 2

Performing the operation and integrating

𝑃 𝐿 5𝑃𝑞𝐿 𝑞 𝐿
𝑈= + +
96𝐸𝐼 384𝐸𝐼 240𝐸𝐼
Since the deflection at the midpoint C corresponds to the load P, we can find the deflection by
using the Casitigliano’s theorem

𝜕𝑈 𝜕 𝑃 𝐿 5𝑃𝑞𝐿 𝑞 𝐿 𝑃𝐿 5𝑞𝐿
𝛿 = = + + = +
𝜕𝑃 𝜕𝑃 96𝐸𝐼 384𝐸𝐼 240𝐸𝐼 48𝐸𝐼 384𝐸𝐼

Method 2

Using the modified form of Castogliano’s theorem. The bending moment in the left-hand half
of the beam and its partial derivative with respect to the load P is

2
 𝜕𝑀 𝑥
=
𝜕𝑃 2
Therefore, the modified Catigliano’s theorem becomes

𝑀 𝜕𝑀 1 𝑃𝑥 𝑞𝐿𝑥 𝑞𝑥 𝑥 𝑃𝐿 5𝑞𝐿
𝛿 = 𝑑𝑥 = 2 + − 𝑑𝑥 = +
𝐸𝐼 𝜕𝑃 𝐸𝐼 2 2 2 2 48𝐸𝐼 384𝐸𝐼

Example 3.7

A simple beam with an overhang supports a uniform load of intensity q on span AB and a
concentrated load P at end C of the overhang. Determine the deflection at C and angle of
rotation at point C. Use the modified form of Castigliano’s theorem.

Solution

The reaction at point A

𝑞𝐿 𝑃
𝑅 = −
2 2

Therefore, the bending moment in span AB is

𝑞𝑥 𝑞𝐿𝑥 𝑃𝑥 𝑞𝑥
𝑀 =𝑅 𝑥 − = − − (0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿)
2 2 2 2
The bending moment in overhang is

3
 𝐿
𝑀 = −𝑃𝑥 (0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤
2
Determine the partial derivatives with respect to the load P

𝜕𝑀 𝑥
=− (0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿)
𝜕𝑃 2
𝜕𝑀 𝐿
= −𝑥 0≤𝑥 ≤
𝜕𝑃 2
The modified theorem

𝑀 𝜕𝑀
𝛿 = 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 𝜕𝑃

1 𝜕𝑀 1 𝜕𝑀
= 𝑀 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑀 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 𝜕𝑃 𝐸𝐼 𝜕𝑃

1 𝑞𝐿𝑥 𝑃𝑥 𝑞𝑥 𝑥 1
𝛿 = − − − 𝑑𝑥 + (−𝑃𝑥 )(−𝑥 )𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 2 2 2 2 𝐸𝐼

Performing the integrations and combining terms

𝑃𝐿 𝑞𝐿
𝛿 = −
8𝐸𝐼 48𝐸𝐼
Angle of rotation θc at the end of the overhang

We place a moment Mc at point C. The reaction at support A

𝑞𝐿 𝑃 𝑀
𝑅 = − −
2 2 𝐿
The bending moment in span AB becomes

𝑞𝑥 𝑞𝐿𝑥 𝑃𝑥 𝑀 𝑥 𝑞𝑥
𝑀 =𝑅 𝑥 − = − − − (0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿)
2 2 2 𝐿 2
The bending moment in the overhang

𝑀 = −𝑃𝑥 − 𝑀 0≤𝑥 ≤𝐿 2

The partial derivatives are taken with respect to the moment Mc, which is the load
corresponding to the angle of rotation. Therefore

𝜕𝑀 𝑥
=− (0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿)
𝜕𝑀 𝐿

4
 𝜕𝑀
= −1 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝐿 2
𝜕𝑀

𝑀 𝜕𝑀
𝜃 = 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 𝜕𝑀
⁄
1 𝜕𝑀 1 𝜕𝑀
= 𝑀 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑀 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 𝜕𝑀 𝐸𝐼 𝜕𝑀

Substituting the expressions for the bending moments and partial derivatives
⁄
1 𝑞𝐿𝑥 𝑃𝑥 𝑀 𝑥 𝑞𝑥 𝑥 1
𝜃 = − − − − 𝑑𝑥 + (−𝑃𝑥 − 𝑀 )(−1)𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 2 2 𝐿 2 𝐿 𝐸𝐼

Since Mc is a fictitious load, we can set it to zero and simplify the integrations
⁄
1 𝑞𝐿𝑥 𝑃𝑥 𝑞𝑥 𝑥 1
𝜃 = − − − 𝑑𝑥 + (−𝑃𝑥 )(−1)𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 2 2 2 𝐿 𝐸𝐼

Carrying out the integrations and combining terms

7𝑃𝐿 𝑞𝐿
𝜃 = −
24𝐸𝐼 24𝐸𝐼
Example 3.8

Find by the Castigliano’s method the deflection at D and the slope at A of the simple beam AB
shown

5
Solution

Though there is no load acting at point D, a load Wd at D must be added an later made equal to
zero after the partial differentiation.

Segment Origin Limits M

AC A 0 to 1.8 (80 + 0.5𝑊 )𝑥
CD A 1.8 to 2.7 (80 + 0.5𝑊 )𝑥 − 120(𝑥 − 1.8)
BD B 0 to 2.7 (40 + 0.5𝑊 )𝑥
𝑀 𝑑𝑥
𝑈=
2𝐸𝐼
. .
[(80 + 0.5𝑊 )𝑥] 𝑑𝑥 [(80 + 0.5𝑊 )𝑥 − 120(𝑥 − 1.8)] 𝑑𝑥
= +
2𝐸𝐼 . 2𝐸𝐼
.
[(40 + 0.5𝑊 )𝑥] 𝑑𝑥
+
2𝐸𝐼

𝜕𝑈
∆ =
𝜕𝑊
. .
2[(80 + 0.5𝑊 )𝑥](0.5𝑥)𝑑𝑥 2[(80 + 0.5𝑊 )𝑥 − 120(𝑥 − 1.8)](0.5𝑥)𝑑𝑥
= +
2𝐸𝐼 . 2𝐸𝐼
.
2[(40 + 0.5𝑊 )𝑥](0.5𝑥)𝑑𝑥
+
2𝐸𝐼

Letting Wd = 0 in the above expression

. . .
(80𝑥)(0.5𝑥)𝑑𝑥 [80𝑥 − 120(𝑥 − 1.8)](0.5𝑥)𝑑𝑥 (40𝑥)(0.5𝑥)𝑑𝑥
∆ = + +
𝐸𝐼 . 𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼

∆ = 1.048 𝑐𝑚 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑

Because the partial differentiation has to be made with the respect to a moment applied at A, a
clockwise moment MA is added to act on the beam.

6
 Segment Origin Limits M
AC A 0 to 1.8 𝑀
𝑀 + 80 − 𝑥
5.4
BC B O to 3.6 𝑀
40 + 𝑥
5.4
𝑀 𝑑𝑥
𝑈=
2𝐸𝐼
. .
[𝑀 + (80 − 𝑀 ⁄5.4)𝑥] 𝑑𝑥 [(40 + 𝑀 ⁄5.4)𝑥] 𝑑𝑥
= +
2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼

𝜕𝑈
𝜃 =
𝜕𝑀
. .
2[𝑀 + (80 − 𝑀 ⁄5.4)𝑥](1 − 𝑥⁄5.4)𝑑𝑥 2[(40 + 𝑀 ⁄5.4)𝑥](𝑥⁄5.4)𝑑𝑥
= +
2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼

Letting MA = 0
. .
(80𝑥)(1 − 𝑥 ⁄5.4)𝑑𝑥 (40𝑥)(𝑥⁄5.4)𝑑𝑥
𝜃 = +
𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼

𝜃 = 0.00675 𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒

Example 3.9

Determine the vertical and horizontal displacement at free end D in the frame shown in figure
below. Take EI = 12 x 1013 Nmm2. Use Castigliano’s theorem.

Solution

7
Frame with dummy vertical and horizontal load P and Q at D

Vertical displacement

Portion AB BC CD

Origin B C D

Limit 0-4 0-4 0-2

M −(4𝑃 + 240 + 50𝑥) −(𝑃𝑥 + 15𝑥 ) 0

Flexural rigidity EI EI EI

𝑀 𝑑𝑥
𝑈=
2𝐸𝐼

(4𝑃 + 240 + 50𝑥) (𝑃𝑥 + 15𝑥 )

𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 + 0
2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼

𝜕𝑈 (4𝑃 + 240 + 50𝑥) (𝑃𝑥 + 15𝑥 )𝑥

∆= = 2 (4)𝑑𝑥 + 2 𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑃 2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼

Since, P is dummy load, substitute P = 0

4(240 + 50𝑥) 15𝑥

∆ = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼

4 15 𝑥 6400
= [240𝑥 + 25𝑥 ] + =
𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼 4 𝐸𝐼

6400
∆ = = 0.533 𝑚
12 ∗ 10
Horizontal deflection

Portion AB BC CD

8
 Origin B C D
Limit 0-4 0-4 0-2
M −[𝑄(2 − 𝑥) + 240 −(2𝑄 + 15𝑥 ) Qx
+ 50𝑥]
Flexural rigidity EI EI EI
[𝑄(2 − 𝑥) + 240 + 50𝑥] [(2𝑄 + 15𝑥 )] 𝑄 𝑥
𝑈= 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥
2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼

𝜕𝑈 2[𝑄(2 − 𝑥) + 240 + 50𝑥](2 − 𝑥) 2[2𝑄 + 15𝑥 ]2 2𝑄𝑥

∆ = = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥
𝜕𝑄 2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼 2𝐸𝐼

Substituting Q = 0

(240 + 50𝑥)(2 − 𝑥) 30𝑥

∆ = 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 + 0
𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼

(480 − 140𝑥 − 50𝑥 ) 30𝑥

= 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼

1 50𝑥 1
= 480𝑥 − 70𝑥 − + [10𝑥 ]
𝐸𝐼 3 𝐸𝐼

373.33 373.33
= = = 0.003 𝑚
𝐸𝐼 12 ∗ 10