Chapter 8

DEFLECTIONS DUE TO
BENDING
Contents:

The moment curvature relation

Integration of moment curvature relation

Principle of Superposition

Load- deflection differential equation

Energy methods
The moment curvature relation:

Deformation of an element of a beam subjected to bending moments M

(8.1)

(8.2)
 (8.3)

Moment curvature relation

(8.4)

Where EI is flexural rigidity or bending

modulus for beam
In solving beam deflection problem we will
use the three steps of (2.1)

Study of equilibrium to obtain Mb as a
function of x

Moment curvature relation gives
approximate curvature as a function of x

Integration of the moment curvature
relation gives total deflection along x. The
geometric compatibility will be helpful to get
the constants of integration.
 Boundary conditions
• For a simple support
(Hinged or roller only)
Deflection = zero
slope ≠ zero
• For a fixed support
Deflection = zero
slope = zero
 Mb≠ 0
Fixed support
 EX.1

Find the deflection

curve of the deformed
neutral axis

Simply supported beam (a) before and (b) after application of load
W
Free body diagram of beam and segment
of beam
Expression for bending moment using singularity
function

(a)

Deflection curve for neutral axis of

the beam

(g)
Ex. 2 A wooden beam with a maximum
concentrated load at the centre has following
specifications. Find maximum deflection and
slope
The deflection curve for a beam is given by

(g)

The maximum deflection and slope is

given by

3
W L
(ν ) L =− = −0.00518mm
x= 48 EI
2
2
dv W L
( ) =− = −0.0042rad
16 EI
dx x =0
 Moment curvature relation

(8.4)

 In solving beam deflection problem

we have used the three steps of (2.1)
Ex.3
Find the deflection δ and the slope angle φ
at B due to these loads.
F.B.Diagram of element
1) Equilibrium requirement
(a)
2) Force deformation relation

(b)

3) Geometric compatibility

(c)
The deflection δ at B is

(g)

The slope φ at B is

(h)
Superposition

 The total deflection is the sum of deflections

due to individual load (M)
 The deflections in the standard cases are
given in table 8.1. The solution of the original
problem then takes the form of a superposition
of these solutions.
 Deflection of a beam is linearly proportional
to the applied load .
This linearity depends on the fact that we are
considering linear elastic material

Moment – curvature relations. (a) Linear; (b)

nonlinear
The linearity between curvature and deflection
is based on assumption that
 Deflections are small
 material is linearly elastic

The linear differential equation for deflection is

(8.4)
Find the deflection at the free end
Illustration of superposition principle
Referring to table

The complete deflection curve can be

obtained by adding deflections as function
of x
 The Load – Deflection Differential
Equation

 An alternative method to solve beam

deflection problem
• A uniform circular bar of length L and dia ‘d’
extends by an amount ‘δ’ under a tensile pull ‘p’.
Find the maximum deflection in terms of ‘δ’ and
‘p’, if the bar is used as a simply supported
beam at its ends and carrying a central load ‘w’.

• Also find the ratio ‘ν’max/ δ, if L=80d and

Maximum bending stress due to ‘W’ is equal to
0.9 times the tensile stress due to pull ‘p’.