Gyan Vihar School of Engineering & Technology

DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING

Presented By:
Md Zaid Khan
( Teaching Assistant)
Subject : Strength of Materials
Course Code : DCE 203
Branch : Diploma Civil Engineering
Semester :- III
Batch 2024-2025 (July-Dec)
 Macaulay's Method for Beam Deflection

•Course Objective: Understand Macaulay's method for solving

beam deflection problems.
•Course Outcomes:
•Ability to apply Macaulay's method to calculate beam
deflections.
•Understanding of the advantages and limitations of Macaulay's
method.
•Application of Macaulay's method in engineering problems.
Introduction to Macaulay's Method
•Macaulay's method: A simplified method for solving beam deflection problems
involving multiple point loads and distributed loads.
•Based on: The concept of Macaulay's brackets.
Macaulay's Brackets
•Definition: A notation used to represent the distance between a point on the beam
and a load.
•Example: <x - a> = 0 for x ≤ a, x - a for x > a
Steps in Macaulay's Method
•Step 1: Write the bending moment equation using Macaulay's brackets.
•Step 2: Integrate the bending moment equation twice to obtain the
deflection equation.
•Step 3: Apply boundary conditions to solve for the constants of integration.
Example: Simply Supported Beam with Multiple Point Loads
•Problem: A simply supported beam of length L is subjected to point loads
P1, P2, and P3 at distances a, b, and c from the left support, respectively.
Determine the deflection at the midpoint.
•Solution:
• Write the bending moment equation using Macaulay's brackets.
• Integrate the bending moment equation twice.
• Apply the boundary conditions that the deflection and slope are zero
at the supports.
• Calculate the deflection at the midpoint.
Example: Cantilever Beam with Uniformly Distributed Load
•Problem: A cantilever beam of length L is subjected to a uniformly
distributed load of intensity w. Determine the deflection at the free end.
•Solution:
• Write the bending moment equation using Macaulay's brackets.
• Integrate the bending moment equation twice.
• Apply the boundary conditions that the deflection and slope are zero
at the fixed end.
• Calculate the deflection at the free end.
Example: Overhanging Beam with Point Load and Uniformly Distributed Load
•Problem: An overhanging beam of length L with an overhang of length a is subjected
to a point load P at the free end and a uniformly distributed load of intensity w over the
entire span. Determine the deflection at the free end.
•Solution:
• Write the bending moment equation using Macaulay's brackets.
• Integrate the bending moment equation twice.
• Apply the boundary conditions that the deflection and slope are zero at the
fixed end.
• Calculate the deflection at the free end.
Advantages of Macaulay's Method
•Simplified calculations: Macaulay's brackets make it easier to handle multiple loads.
•Flexibility: Can be used for various beam configurations and loading conditions.

Limitations of Macaulay's Method

•Limited to simple cases: May not be suitable for complex loading conditions or
irregular beam shapes.
ummary and Conclusion
•Summary: Review of Macaulay's method for solving beam deflection problems.
•Conclusion: The importance of understanding Macaulay's method in engineering
applications.
15 Multiple Choice Questions:
1.What is Macaulay's method used for?
1. a) Solving beam deflection problems
2. b) Calculating shear forces
3. c) Determining bending moments
4. d) Analyzing stresses
5. Answer: a) Solving beam deflection problems
2.What is the differential equation of the elastic curve for a beam?
•a) EI(d²y/dx²) = M
•b) EI(d²y/dx²) = V
•c) EI(d²y/dx²) = P
•d) EI(d²y/dx²) = Q
•Answer: a) EI(d²y/dx²) = M
3.What are the factors affecting beam deflection?
•a) Beam length, cross-section, material properties, loading conditions
•b) Only beam length
•c) Only cross-section
•d) Only material properties
•Answer: a) Beam length, cross-section, material properties, loading conditions
4.What is the maximum deflection of a simply supported beam under
a point load at its midpoint?
•a) PL³/48EI
•b) PL²/48EI
•c) PL³/3EI
•d) PL²/3EI
•Answer: a) PL³/48EI
5.What is the maximum deflection of a cantilever beam under a point
load at its free end?
•a) PL³/3EI
•b) PL²/3EI
•c) PL³/48EI
•d) PL²/48EI
•Answer: a) PL³/3EI
6.What is the term for the angle of inclination of the tangent to the
deflected beam at any section?
•a) Slope
•b) Deflection
•c) Curvature
•d) Moment
•Answer: a) Slope
7.What is the term for the rate of change of slope of the deflected
beam?
•a) Slope
•b) Deflection
•c) Curvature
•d) Moment
•Answer: c) Curvature
8.What is the term for the bending moment at a section of a beam?
•a) Shear force
•b) Bending moment
•c) Deflection
•d) Slope
•Answer: b) Bending moment
9.What is the term for the force acting perpendicular to the cross-section of a
beam?
•a) Shear force
•b) Bending moment
•c) Deflection
•d) Slope
•Answer: a) Shear force
10.What is the term for the distance between the supports of a beam?
•a) Span
•b) Length
•c) Height
•d) Width
•Answer: a) Span
11.What is the term for the maximum allowable deflection of a beam?
•a) Deflection limit
•b) Deflection criterion
•c) Deflection constraint
•d) Deflection requirement
•Answer: a) Deflection limit
12.What is the term for the ratio of the load applied to a beam to the deflection
produced?
•a) Stiffness
•b) Flexibility
•c) Rigidity
•d) Deflection coefficient
•Answer: b) Flexibility
13.What is the term for the property of a material that resists bending?
•a) Stiffness
•b) Flexibility
•c) Rigidity
•d) Deflection coefficient
•Answer: c) Rigidity
14.What is the term for the relationship between bending moment and
curvature in a beam?
•a) Euler's equation
•b) Bernoulli's equation
•c) Moment-curvature relationship
•d) Deflection equation
•Answer: c) Moment-curvature relationship
15.What is the term for the method of determining beam deflection using
integration?
•a) Double integration method
•b) Macaulay's method
•c) Moment area method
•d) Superposition method
•Answer: a) Double integration method
● Reference Book:

● S. C. Crandall, N. C. Dahl, and T. J. Lardner, An Introduction to the Mechanics of

Solids, 2nd Ed, McGraw Hill, 1978.

● E. P. Popov, Engineering Mechanics of Solids, Prentice Hall, 1990.

● I. H. Shames, Introduction to Solid Mechanics, 2nd Ed, Prentice Hall, 1989.

● S. P. Timoshenko, Strength of Materials, Vols. 1 & 2, CBS publ., 1986.

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Gj653EeL5Bg

● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhKOQ3WQhbs