Deflections

In this chapter we will show how to determine the elastic deflections of

a beam using the method of double integration and two important
geometrical methods, namely, the moment-area theorems and the
conjugate-beam method. Double integration is used to obtain equations
which define the slope and the elastic curve. The geometric methods
provide a way to obtain the slope and deflection at specific points
on the beam. Each of these methods has particular advantages or
disadvantages, which will be discussed when each method is presented.

8.1 Deflection Diagrams and the Elastic

Curve
Deflections of structures can occur from various sources, such as loads,
temperature, fabrication errors, or settlement. In design, deflections must
be limited in order to provide integrity and stability of roofs, and prevent
cracking of attached brittle materials such as concrete, plaster or glass.
Furthermore, a structure must not vibrate or deflect severely in order to
appear safe for its occupants. More important, though, deflections at
specified points in a structure must be determined if one is to analyze
statically indeterminate structures.
The deflections to be considered throughout this text apply only to
structures having linear elastic material response. Under this condition,
a structure subjected to a load will return to its original undeformed
position after the load is removed. The deflection of a structure is caused

299

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DEFLECTIONS

TABLE 81
(1)
u
0
roller or rocker

(2)

0
pin

(3)

by its internal loadings such as normal force, shear force, or bending

moment. For beams and frames, however, the greatest deflections are
most often caused by internal bending, whereas internal axial forces
cause the deflections of a truss.
Before the slope or displacement of a point on a beam or frame
is determined, it is often helpful to sketch the deflected shape of the
structure when it is loaded in order to partially check the results. This
deflection diagram represents the elastic curve or locus of points which
defines the displaced position of the centroid of the cross section along
the members. For most problems the elastic curve can be sketched
without much difficulty. When doing so, however, it is necessary to know
the restrictions as to slope or displacement that often occur at a support
or a connection. With reference to Table 81, supports that resist a force,
such as a pin, restrict displacement; and those that resist moment, such as
a fixed wall, restrict rotation. Note also that deflection of frame members
that are fixed connected (4) causes the joint to rotate the connected
members by the same amount u. On the other hand, if a pin connection
is used at the joint, the members will each have a different slope or rotation
at the pin, since the pin cannot support a moment (5).

0
u0
fixed support

(4)

u
u

fixed-connected joint

(5)
u2

u1

pin-connected joint

The two-member frames support both the dead load

of the roof and a live snow loading. The frame can be
considered pinned at the wall, fixed at the ground, and
having a fixed-connected joint.

8.1

301

DEFLECTION DIAGRAMS AND THE ELASTIC CURVE

If the elastic curve seems difficult to establish, it is suggested that

the moment diagram for the beam or frame be drawn first. By our sign
convention for moments established in Chapter 4, a positive moment
tends to bend a beam or horizontal member concave upward, Fig. 81.
Likewise, a negative moment tends to bend the beam or member concave
downward, Fig. 82. Therefore, if the shape of the moment diagram is
known, it will be easy to construct the elastic curve and vice versa. For
example, consider the beam in Fig. 83 with its associated moment
diagram. Due to the pin-and-roller support, the displacement at A and D
must be zero. Within the region of negative moment, the elastic curve is
concave downward; and within the region of positive moment, the elastic
curve is concave upward. In particular, there must be an inflection point
at the point where the curve changes from concave down to concave up,
since this is a point of zero moment. Using these same principles, note
how the elastic curve for the beam in Fig. 84 was drawn based on its
moment diagram. In particular, realize that the positive moment reaction
from the wall keeps the initial slope of the beam horizontal.

M

M

positive moment,
concave upward

Fig. 81

M

M

negative moment,
concave downward

Fig. 82

P1
A

P1

P2

P2
beam

beam
M

moment diagram

moment diagram

inflection point

M

inflection point
M

M
deflection curve

Fig. 83

M

deflection curve

Fig. 84

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EXAMPLE 8.1
Draw the deflected shape of each of the beams shown in Fig. 85.
SOLUTION
In Fig. 85a the roller at A allows free rotation with no deflection
while the fixed wall at B prevents both rotation and deflection. The
deflected shape is shown by the bold line. In Fig. 85b, no rotation or
deflection can occur at A and B. In Fig. 85c, the couple moment will
rotate end A. This will cause deflections at both ends of the beam
since no deflection is possible at B and C. Notice that segment CD
remains undeformed (a straight line) since no internal load acts
within it. In Fig. 85d, the pin (internal hinge) at B allows free
rotation, and so the slope of the deflection curve will suddenly change
at this point while the beam is constrained by its supports. In Fig. 85e,
the compound beam deflects as shown. The slope abruptly changes
on each side of the pin at B. Finally, in Fig. 85f, span BC will deflect
concave upwards due to the load. Since the beam is continuous, the
end spans will deflect concave downwards.

w
B

(b)

(a)

M
B

(d)

(c)

P
w
B

D
C

(f)

(e)

Fig. 85

8.1

DEFLECTION DIAGRAMS AND THE ELASTIC CURVE

303

EXAMPLE 8.2
Draw the deflected shapes of each of the frames shown in Fig. 86.
B

(a)

E
w

(b)
B

SOLUTION
In Fig. 86a, when the load P pushes joints B and C to the right, it will
cause clockwise rotation of each column as shown. As a result, joints
B and C must rotate clockwise. Since the 90 angle between the
connected members must be maintained at these joints, the beam BC
will deform so that its curvature is reversed from concave up on the
left to concave down on the right. Note that this produces a point of
inflection within the beam.
In Fig. 86b, P displaces joints B, C, and D to the right, causing
each column to bend as shown. The fixed joints must maintain their
90 angles, and so BC and CD must have a reversed curvature with an
inflection point near their midpoint.
In Fig. 86c, the vertical loading on this symmetric frame will bend
beam CD concave upwards, causing clockwise rotation of joint C and
counterclockwise rotation of joint D. Since the 90 angle at the joints
must be maintained, the columns bend as shown. This causes spans
BC and DE to be concave downwards, resulting in counterclockwise
rotation at B and clockwise rotation at E. The columns therefore bend
as shown. Finally, in Fig. 86d, the loads push joints B and C to the
right, which bends the columns as shown. The fixed joint B maintains
its 90 angle; however, no restriction on the relative rotation between
the members at C is possible since the joint is a pin. Consequently,
only beam CD does not have a reverse curvature.

(c)

P
B

I
(d)

Fig. 86

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FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS
F81. Draw the deflected shape of each beam. Indicate
the inflection points.

(a)
(b)

(c)

F82

(b)

F83. Draw the deflected shape of each frame. Indicate

the inflection points.

(c)

F81

(a)

F82. Draw the deflected shape of each frame. Indicate

the inflection points.

(b)
(a)

F83