CHAPTER FOUR DEFLECTION OF BEAMS

Practically limits of stress or deflection are set for all engineering applications.
The stress limits are normally set so that the component does not yield or fail under the most severe load
conditions which it is likely to meet in service. In certain structural or machine linkage designs, however,
maximum stress levels may not be the most severe condition for the component in question. Hence, the
limitation in the maximum deflection which places the most severe restriction on the operation or design
of the component.
Relationship between loading, S.F., B.M., slope and deflection

Fig. 4.1
Consider a beam that is horizontal an initially unloaded. If deflection happens.
Slope any point C
𝑑𝑦
𝑖=
𝑑𝑥
In practice , for small curvatures
𝑑𝑠 = 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑅𝑑𝑖
𝑑𝑖 1
=
𝑑𝑥 𝑅
But
𝑑𝑦
𝑖=
𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑦 1
∴ =
𝑑𝑥 𝑅

53
From simple bending theory
𝑀 𝐸
=
𝐼 𝑅
1 𝑀
=
𝑅 𝐸𝐼
𝑀 𝑑 𝑦
=
𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑦
𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼
𝑑𝑥
This is the basic differential equation for the deflection of beams
If the beam is now assumed to carry a distributed loading which varies in intensity over the length of the
beam, then a small element of the beam of length d x will be subjected to the loading condition shown
in Fig.4.2

Fig.4. 2

54
Differentiating the differential equation for the deflection of beams with respect to x, we get
𝑑𝑀 𝑑 𝑦
= 𝐸𝐼
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
But from the above analysis,
𝑑𝑀
= 𝐹(𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒)
𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑦
𝐹 = 𝐸𝐼
𝑑𝑥
Differentiating again with respect to x, we get
𝑑𝐹 𝑑 𝑦
= 𝐸𝐼
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
But
𝑑𝐹
= 𝑤, 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑦
𝑤 = 𝐸𝐼
𝑑𝑥

55
Hence, the relationship between curvature, slope, deflection, etc. at a section is summarized as follows:
Deflection =𝑦

Slope =

Bending Moment 𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼

Shear Force 𝐹 = 𝐸𝐼

Load distribution 𝑤 = 𝐸𝐼

In order that the above results should agree algebraically, i.e. that positive slopes shall have the normal
mathematical interpretation of the positive sign and that B.M. and S.F. conventions are consistent with
those introduced earlier, it is imperative that the sign convention illustrated in Fig. 4.3 be adopted.

Fig. 4.3
Methods of Determining Slope and Deflection at a Section in a loaded Beam
(i) Double Integration Method (Direct Integration Method)
(ii) Moment of Area Method
(iii) Macaulay’s Method

56
DOUBLE INTEGRATION METHOD (DIRECT INTEGRATION METHOD)
From the BM equation, the B.M.at any point on a beam is known in terms of x
𝑑 𝑦
𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼
𝑑𝑥
Integration of the eqn. will yield slopes and deflections at any point,
𝑑𝑦 𝑀
= 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐴
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
𝑀
𝑦= 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵
𝐸𝐼

where A and B are constants of integration evaluated from known conditions of slope and deflection for
particular values of x
(a) Simply supported beam with central concentrated load
𝑑 𝑦 𝑊 𝐿
𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼 = −𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2 2
𝑊𝐿 𝑊𝑥
= −
4 2

𝑑𝑦 𝑊𝐿𝑥 𝑊𝑥
𝐸𝐼 = − +𝐴
𝑑𝑥 4 6
Fig. 4.4
assuming EI is constant
𝑊𝐿𝑥 𝑊𝑥
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = − + 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵
8 12
At
𝑑𝑦
𝑥 = 0, =0 , ∴𝐴=0
𝑑𝑥

𝐿 𝑊𝐿 𝑊𝐿
𝑥 = , 𝑦 = 0, ∴0= − +𝐵
2 32 96

𝑊𝐿
𝐵=−
48

1 𝑊𝐿𝑥 𝑊𝑥 𝑊𝐿
𝑦= − −
𝐸𝐼 8 12 48

Deflection
𝑾𝑳𝟑
𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒙 = − 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓
𝟒𝟖𝑬𝑰

Negative sign indicates that deflection is downwards. Slope

𝒅𝒚 𝑾𝑳𝟐
= 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔
𝒅𝒙 𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟏𝟔𝑬𝑰

57
Problem 4.1 A beam 6 m long, simply supported at its ends, is carrying a point load of 50 kN at its centre.
The moment of inertia of the beam (I) is 78 × 10 𝑚𝑚 . I E= is 2.1 × 10 𝑁/𝑚𝑚 , calculate
(i) Deflection at the centre of the beam
(ii) Slope at the supports
Deflection at the centre

𝑾𝑳𝟑
𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒙 =−
𝟒𝟖𝑬𝑰
50000 × 6000
= = 13.736 𝑚𝑚
48 × 2.1 × 10 × 78 × 10
(i) Slope at the supports

𝒅𝒚 𝑾𝑳𝟐
=
𝒅𝒙 𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟏𝟔𝑬𝑰
50000 × 6000
= 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠
16 × 2.1 × 10 × 78 × 10
= 0.06868 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠
180
= 0.06868 × = 3.935
𝜋
Problem 4.2 A beam 3 m long, simply supported at its ends, is carrying a point load W at the centre. If the
slope at the ends of the beam should not exceed 1°, find the deflection at the centre of the beam.
Solution
𝐿 = 3 𝑚 = 3000 𝑚𝑚
Slope at the ends, 𝜃 = 𝜃 = 1
1×𝜋
= = 0.01745 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑠
180
Let 𝑦 = 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒

𝑊𝐿 𝑊𝐿
𝜃 = 𝑜𝑟 0.01745 =
16𝐸𝐼 16𝐸𝐼
𝑊𝐿 𝑊𝐿 𝐿
𝑦 = = ×
48𝐸𝐼 16𝐸𝐼 3
𝐿 3000
𝑦 = 0.01745 × = 0.01745 ×
3 3
= 𝟏𝟕. 𝟒𝟓 𝒎𝒎

58
 (b) Simply-supported beam with uniformly distributed load
𝑑 𝑦 𝑤𝐿𝑥 𝑤𝑥
𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼 = −
𝑑𝑥 2 2
Slope

𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝐿𝑥 𝑤𝑥
𝐸𝐼 = − +𝐴
𝑑𝑥 4 6
Fig. 4.5
assuming EI is constant
𝑤𝐿𝑥 𝑤𝑥
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = − + 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵
12 24
At
𝑥 = 0, 𝑦=0 , ∴𝐵=0

𝑤𝐿 𝑤𝐿
𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑦 = 0, ∴0= − + 𝐴𝐿
12 24

𝑤𝐿
𝐴=−
24
Deflection
1 𝑤𝐿𝑥 𝑤𝑥 𝑤𝐿 𝑥
𝑦= − −
𝐸𝐼 12 24 24

In this case the maximum deflection will occur at the centre of the beam where x = L/2.

1 𝑤 𝐿 𝑤 𝐿 𝑤𝐿 𝐿
𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒙 = − −
𝐸𝐼 12 8 24 16 24 2

𝟓𝒘𝑳𝟒
𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒙 = −
𝟑𝟖𝟒𝑬𝑰
Negative sign indicates that deflection is downwards.
𝟓𝒘𝑳𝟒
∴ downward de lection, 𝒚𝒎𝒂𝒙 =
𝟑𝟖𝟒𝑬𝑰

Slope at the end of the beams

𝐸𝐼 = − − where 𝑥 = 0

𝒅𝒚 𝒘𝑳𝟑
=− 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔
𝒅𝒙 𝒎𝒂𝒙 𝟐𝟒𝑬𝑰

59
Problem 4.3 A beam of uniform rectangular section 200 mm wide an 300 mm deep is simply supported at
its end. It carries a uniformly distributed load of 9 kN/m run over the entire span of 5 m. If E for the beam
material is 1 × 10 𝑁/𝑚𝑚 , find:

9 kN/m= 9 N/mm
(i) The slope at the supports
𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝐿
=−
𝑑𝑥 24𝐸𝐼
9 × 5000 9 × 5 × 10
= = = 0.01042 𝑟𝑎𝑑
24 × 1 × 10 × 4.5 × 10 24 × 1 × 10 × 4.5 × 10

(ii) Maximum deflection

5𝑤𝐿
𝑦 =
384𝐸𝐼

5 × 9 × 5 × 10
= = 16.27 𝑚𝑚
384 × 1 × 10 × 4.5 × 10
Problem 4.4 A beam of length 5 m and a uniform rectangular section is supported at its ends. It carries a
UDL of 9 kN/m run over the entire length. Calculate the width of the beam if permissible bending stress is
7 Nlmm2 an the central deflection is not to exceed 1 cm. take E of the material as 1 × 10 𝑁/𝑚𝑚 ,

𝐼=

Deflection
5 × 9 × 5 × 10
10 =
𝑏𝑑
384 × 1 × 10 ×
12

𝑏𝑑 = 878.906 × 10 𝑚𝑚
Maximum BM for simply supported beam with UDL
𝑤𝐿 9 × 5000
𝑀= = = 28125000 𝑁𝑚𝑚
8 8
but
𝑀 𝜎
=
𝐼 𝑦

60
 28125000 7
=
𝑏𝑑 𝑑
12 2
28125000 × 12 14
= 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑑 = 24107142.85 𝑚𝑚
𝑏𝑑 𝑑
Hence

𝑏𝑑 878.906 × 10
=
𝑏𝑑 24107142.85

24107142.85
𝑑 = 364.58 𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = = 181.36 𝑚𝑚
364.58
MACAULAY’S METHOD
The procedure of finding slope and deflection for a simply supported beam with an eccentric point load
can be very laborious. There is a convenient method for determining the deflections of the beam subjected
to point loads or when there is no single expression for B.M that applies along the complete length of the
beam.
This method was devised by Mr. M.H. Macaulay and is known as Macaulay’s method. This method
mainly consists in the special manner in which the bending moment at any section is expressed and in the
manner in which the integrations are carried out.
Consider fig. 4.6
Between A and B
𝑑 𝑦
𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼 = 𝑀 + 𝑄𝑥
𝑑𝑥
Slope

𝒅𝒚 𝒙𝟐
𝑬𝑰 = 𝑴𝒙 + 𝑸 + 𝑪𝟏 (𝒊)
𝒅𝒙 𝟐
Fig. 4.6 𝑥 𝑥
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑀 + 𝑄 + 𝐶 𝑥 + 𝐶 (1)
2 6

Beyond B

𝑑 𝑦
𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼 = 𝑀 + 𝑄𝑥 − 𝑊(𝑥 − 𝑎)
𝑑𝑥
Slope

𝒅𝒚 𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝟐
𝑬𝑰 = 𝑴𝒙 + 𝑸 − 𝑾 + 𝑾𝒂𝒙 + 𝑪𝟑 (𝒊𝒊)
𝒅𝒙 𝟐 𝟐
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑀 + 𝑄 − 𝑊 + 𝑊𝑎 + 𝐶 𝑥 + 𝐶 (2)
2 6 6 2
But the slopes are the same, hence equate eq. (i) and eq. (ii)

61
 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑀𝑥 + 𝑄 + 𝐶 = 𝑀𝑥 + 𝑄 − 𝑊 + 𝑊𝑎𝑥 + 𝐶
2 2 2
But at B, x = a
𝑎
𝐶 = −𝑊 + 𝑊𝑎 + 𝐶
2
𝑎
𝐶 = 𝐶 −𝑊
2
Hence, replacing the values to eq. (ii)

𝑑𝑦 𝑥 𝑥 𝑎
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑀𝑥 + 𝑄 − 𝑊 + 𝑊𝑎𝑥 + 𝐶 − 𝑊
𝑑𝑥 2 2 2
𝑑𝑦 𝑥 𝑊
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑀𝑥 + 𝑄 − (𝑥 + 2𝑎𝑥 − 𝑎 ) + 𝐶
𝑑𝑥 2 2
𝒅𝒚 𝒙𝟐 𝑾
𝑬𝑰 = 𝑴𝒙 + 𝑸 − (𝒙 − 𝒂)𝟐 + 𝑪𝟏 (3)
𝒅𝒙 𝟐 𝟐
Also for the same deflection eq. 1 and 2 with x= a
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
𝑀 +𝑄 +𝐶 𝑎+𝐶 =𝑀 +𝑄 −𝑊 +𝑊 +𝐶 𝑎+𝐶
2 6 2 6 6 2
𝑎 𝑎
𝐶 𝑎 + 𝐶 = −𝑊 +𝑊 +𝐶 𝑎+𝐶
6 2
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
𝐶 𝑎 + 𝐶 = −𝑊 + 𝑊 + (𝐶 − 𝑊 )𝑎 + 𝐶
6 2 2
𝑎
𝐶 =𝐶 +𝑊
6
Substituting in eq. 2,

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑀 + 𝑄 − 𝑊 + 𝑊𝑎 + 𝐶 𝑥 + 𝐶
2 6 6 2
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑎 𝑎
=𝑀 + 𝑄 − 𝑊 + 𝑊𝑎 + 𝐶 −𝑊 𝑥 +𝐶 +𝑊
2 6 6 2 2 6

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑎 𝑎
=𝑀 + 𝑄 − 𝑊 + 𝑊𝑎 − 𝑊 𝑥 − 𝑊 + 𝐶 𝑥 + 𝐶
2 6 6 2 2 6
𝑥 𝑥 𝑊
=𝑀 + 𝑄 − (𝑥 − 3𝑎𝑥 + 3𝑎 𝑥 − 𝑎 ) + 𝐶 𝑥 + 𝐶
2 6 6
𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝟑 𝑾
𝑬𝑰𝒚 = 𝑴 + 𝑸 − (𝒙 − 𝒂)𝟑 + 𝑪𝟏 𝒙 + 𝑪𝟐 (4)
𝟐 𝟔 𝟔
Summary

62
Slope
𝑑𝑦 𝑥 𝑊
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑀𝑥 + 𝑄 − (𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝐶
𝑑𝑥 2 2
Deflection

𝑥 𝑥 𝑊
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑀 + 𝑄 − (𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝐶 𝑥 + 𝐶
2 6 6
Inspecting the above equations, general method of obtaining slopes and deflections is through
integrations. Thus, by integration,
𝑊 𝑊
(𝑥 − 𝑎) 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 (𝑥 − 𝑎)
2 6
For the whole beam therefore, and by differentiation
𝑑 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 = 𝑀 + 𝑄𝑥 − 𝑊(𝑥 − 𝑎)
𝑑𝑥
𝑊(𝑥 − 𝑎) is Macaulay’s Terms and x > a, and illustrated as 𝑊[(𝑥 − 𝑎)]. The Macaulay terms must be:
(i) Integrated with respect to themselves.
(ii) Neglected when negative
Application of Macaulay’s method
(a) Simply Supported Beam with an Eccentric Point Load
Problem 4.5 Consider fig. 4.7. Using Macaulays method determeine the central defelction.

Fig. 4.7
Using the Macaulay method the equation for the B.M. at any general section XX is then given by

𝑑 𝑦
𝐵. 𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼 = 15𝑥 − 20[(𝑥 − 3)] + 10[(𝑥 − 6)] − 30[(𝑥 − 10)]
𝑑𝑥
Integrating, Care is then necessary to ensure that the terms inside the square brackets (Macaulay terms)
are treated in the special way noted previously

𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑦 𝑥 (𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 6) (𝑥 − 10)
= 15 − 20 + 10 − 30 +𝐴
10 𝑑𝑥 2 2 2 2

63
 𝐸𝐼 𝑥 (𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 6) (𝑥 − 10)
𝑦 = 15 − 20 + 10 − 30 + 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵
10 6 6 6 6

Where A and B are constants of integration

When x= 0, y=0 and B=0 and When, x= 12, y=0
15 × 12 (12 − 3) (12 − 6) (12 − 10)
0= − 20 + 10 − 30 + 12𝐴
6 6 6 6

= 4320 − 2430 + 360 − 40 + 12 𝑜𝑟 12𝐴 = −2210 𝑜𝑟 𝐴 = −184.2

𝐸𝐼 𝑥 (𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 6) (𝑥 − 10)
𝑦 = 15 − 20 + 10 − 30 − 184.2𝑥
10 6 6 6 6

Deflection at midspan, x= 6, from the above equation and conditions of Macaulay terms,
10 6 (6 − 3) 655.2 × 10
𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 15 − 20 − 184.2 × 6 = −
𝐸𝐼 6 6 𝐸𝐼

Assuming typical vales of 𝐸 = 208 𝐺𝑁⁄𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 = 82 × 10

𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 38.4 × 10 𝑚 = 𝟑𝟖. 𝟒 𝒎𝒎

(b) Simply supported beam with UDL

(a) No special treat of Macaulay terms, hence

𝑑 𝑦 𝑤𝑥
𝐵. 𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼 = 𝑅 𝑥− − 𝑊 [(𝑥 − 𝑎)] − 𝑊 [(𝑥 − 𝑏)]
𝑑𝑥 2
(b) B.M of (a) is modified and u.d.l term becomes a Macaulay term, hence:
𝑑 𝑦 (𝑥 − 𝑎)
𝐵. 𝑀 = 𝐸𝐼 = 𝑅 𝑥 − 𝑊 [(𝑥 − 𝑎)] − 𝑤 − 𝑊 [(𝑥 − 𝑏)]
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦 𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑎) (𝑥 − 𝑎) (𝑥 − 𝑏)
𝐸𝐼 =𝑅 −𝑊 −𝑤 −𝑊 +𝐴
𝑑𝑥 2 2 6 2
𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑎) (𝑥 − 𝑎) (𝑥 − 𝑏)
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 𝑅 −𝑊 −𝑤 −𝑊 + 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵
62 6 24 6

64
Problem 4.6 Determine the slope and deflection under the 50 kN load for the beam loading system E =
200 GN/m2; I = 83 x 10-6m-4 shown in Fig. P4.6. Find also the position and magnitude of the maximum
deflection. Use Macaulay’s method.

Fig. P4.6
Solution
𝑅 = 60 𝑘𝑁 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅 = 130 𝑘𝑁
Applying Macaulay’s Method

𝐸𝐼 𝑑 𝑦 (𝑥 − 3)
𝐵. 𝑀 = = 60𝑥 − 20[(𝑥 − 1)] − 50[(𝑥 − 3)] − 60
10 𝑑𝑥 2

Integrating
𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑦 60𝑥 (𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 3)
= − 20 − 50 − 60 +𝐴
10 𝑑𝑥 2 2 2 6

𝐸𝐼 60𝑥 (𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 3)
𝑦= − 20 − 50 − 60 + 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵
10 6 6 6 24

Now when x=0, y=0 and B=0

When x=5, y= 0

60 × 5 20 × 4 50 × 2 60 × 2
0= − − − + 5𝐴
6 6 6 6
5𝐴 = 930 𝐴 = −186
Slope
𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑦 60𝑥 (𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 3)
= − 20 − 50 − 60 − 186
10 𝑑𝑥 2 2 2 6

Slope x= 3 m
10 60 × 3 20 × 2 10 × 44
= − − 186 =
𝐸𝐼 2 2 200 × 10 × 83 × 10

= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟔𝟓 𝒓𝒂𝒅
Deflection at x= 3 m

65
 𝐸𝐼 60𝑥 (𝑥 − 1) (𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 3)
𝑦= − 20 − 50 − 60 − 186𝑥
10 6 6 6 24

10 60 × 3 20 × 2 10
𝑦= − − 186 × 3 = [270 − 26 − 67 − 558]
𝐸𝐼 6 6 𝐸𝐼

10 × 314.7
=− = −0.01896 𝑚 = −𝟏𝟗 𝒎𝒎
200 × 10 × 83 × 10
Maximum deflection
Slope being positive at 50 kN, max deflection will occur between 20 kN and 50 kN
𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑦 60𝑥 (𝑥 − 1)
= − 20 − 186
10 𝑑𝑥 2 2

= 30𝑥 − 10𝑥 + 20𝑥 − 10 − 186

= 20𝑥 + 20𝑥 − 196

Where the deflection is maximum, slope is zero

𝑜 = 20𝑥 + 20𝑥 − 196

Solving
⁄
−20 ± (400 + 15680) −20 ± 126.8
𝑥= =
40 40
𝑥 = 2.67 𝑚
Maximum deflection
10 60 × 2.67 20 × 1.67
𝛿 = − − 186 × 2.67 = −0.0194 𝑚 = −19.4 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝐼 6 6

66
Moment of Area Method
This is also known as “Mohr’ “area-moment” Method or Mohr’s Theorem.
Mohr moment-area method provides a rapid solution where loading systems are relatively simple.x

Slope
if slopes are small.
𝛿𝑠 = 𝑅𝛿
𝛿𝑥 ≅ 𝛿𝑠
𝛿𝑥 𝑀
∴ 𝛿𝑖 = = 𝛿𝑥
𝑅 𝐸𝐼
Change of slope between E and D= i
𝑀 1
𝑖= 𝛿𝑥 = 𝑀𝛿𝑥
𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼

i.e 𝑀𝛿𝑥 represents the moment of area of BM diagram of length dx, hence ∫ 𝑀𝛿𝑥 represents the moment
of area of BM diagram between E and D

For a uniform beam (El constant) this equals × 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐵𝑀 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚

Deflection
Deflection at E resulting from the bending of BC = 𝑥𝛿𝑖

∴ total deflection resulting from bending of ED = ∫ 𝑥𝛿𝑖

𝑀𝑥 1
= 𝛿𝑥 = 𝑀𝑥𝛿𝑥
𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼

i.e 𝑀. 𝑥 𝛿𝑥 represents the first moment of area of BM diagram of length dx about point E , hence
∫ 𝑀𝑥𝛿𝑥 represents the first area of BM diagram between E and D

67
The Mohr area-moment procedure may be summarized its most useful form as follows: if A and B are two
points on the deflection curve of a beam, El is constant and B is a point of zero slope, then Mohr's
theorems state that:
1. Slope at A=𝟏/𝑬𝑰 × area of B.M. diagram between A and B
2. Deflection of A relative to B = 𝟏/𝑬𝑰 × first moment of area of B.M. diagram between A and
B about A.
In many cases of apparently complicated load systems the loading can be separated into a combination of
several simple systems which, by the application of the principle of superposition, will produce the same
results.
(a) Simply supported beam with central concentrated load

Working relative to zero slope point at the centre of the beam C

Slope at A = × area of B.M. diagram between A and C

1 1 𝐿 𝑤𝐿 𝑤𝐿
= =
𝐸𝐼 2 2 4 16𝐸𝐼
Deflection of A relative to C (=central deflection relative to A)
1
= × irst moment of area of B. M. diagram between A and 𝐶 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐴
𝐸𝐼
1 1 𝐿 𝑤𝐿 2𝐿 𝑤𝐿
= =
𝐸𝐼 2 2 4 32 48𝐸𝐼

68
 (b) Simply supported beam with u.d.l

Here the point of zero slope is at the centre of the beam C, Working relative to C,

Slope at A = × area of B.M. diagram between A and C

1 2 𝑤𝐿 𝐿 𝑤𝐿
= =
𝐸𝐼 3 8 2 24𝐸𝐼

Deflection of A relative to C (=central deflection relative to A)

1
= × irst moment of area of B. M. diagram between A and 𝐶 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐴
𝐸𝐼
1 2 𝑤𝐿 𝐿 5𝐿 5𝑤𝐿
=
𝐸𝐼 3 8 2 16 384𝐸𝐼

69
Principle of superposition
- The general statement for the principle of superposition asserts that the resultant stress or strain in a
system subjected to several forces is the algebraic sum of their effects when applied separately.
- The principle can be utilised, however, to determine the deflections of beams subjected to
complicated loading conditions which, in reality, are merely combinations of a number of simple
systems.
- Thus, the algebraic sum of the separate deflections caused by a convenient selection of standard
loading cases will produce the total deflection of the apparently complex case.
- the principle of superposition is only valid whilst the beam material remains elastic and for small
beam deflections.

70