Analyze the deflection of beam and shafts using the

discontinuity functions.

Construct the appropriate equations or methods of

solving problems related to deflection of beams.
 Macaulay functions

M0 +ve clockwise

P +ve upwards

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 Macaulay functions

0 for x a
xa
n

x a n
for x a
n0

Integration of Macaulay functions:

n 1
xa
x a dx C
n

n 1

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 Singularity Functions:

1 0 for x a
w P xa
P for x a

2 0 for x a
w M0 x a
M 0 for x a

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 Note: Integration of these two singularity
functions yields results that are different from
those of Macaulay functions. Specifically,

n n 1
x a dx x a , n 1,2

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 Examples of how to use discontinuity functions
to describe the loading or internal moment in a
beam:

1 2 0 1
w 2.75kN x 0 1.5kN.m x 3m 3kN / m x 3m 1kN / m2 x 3m

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Important!!

Load or moment at the right end, will not be

included in the calculation, since x cannot exceed
the beam length. (Example 1)

Distributed loadings must extend all the way to

the beams right end to be valid. If this does not
occur, use the method of superposition as in the
Example 2.
Determine the maximum deflection of the beam shown in
Fig. 1218a. EI is constant.

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Solutions
The beam deflects as shown in Fig. 1218a. The boundary
conditions require zero displacement at A and B.

The loading function for the beam can be written as

1 1
w 8 x 0 6 x 10

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Solutions
Integrating, we have

V 8 x 0 6 x 10
0 0

In a similar manner,

M 8 x 0 6 x 10
1 1

8 x 6 x 10
1
kN m
Integrating twice yields
d 2v
EI 2 8 x x 10
1

dx
dv
4 x 3 x 10 C1
2 2
EI
dx
4 3
EIv x x 10 C1 x C2 (1)
3

3
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Solutions
From Eq. 1, the boundary condition v = 0 at x = 10 m and at x =
30 m gives
0 1333 10 10 C1 10 C2
3

0 36000 30 10 C1 30 C2
3

C1 1333 and C2 12000

Thus,

dv
4 x 3 x 10 1333 (2)
2 2
EI
dx
4 3
EIv x x 10 1333x 12000 (3)
3

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Solutions
To obtain the displacement of C, set x = 0 in Eq. 3.

12000
vC kN m3 (Ans)
EI
The negative sign indicates that the displacement is downward as
shown in Fig. 1218a

To locate point D, use Eq. 2 with x > 10 and dv/dx = 0,

0 x 3 xD 10 1333
2 2
D

xD2 60 xD 1633 0
Solving for the positive root, xD 20.3 m

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Solutions
Hence, from Eq. 3,

EIv D 20.3 20.3 10 133320.3 12000

4 3 3

3
5006
vD kN m 3
EI

Comparing this value with vC, we see that vmax = vC.

Copyright 2011 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd

Determine the equation of the elastic curve for the
cantilevered beam shown in Fig. 1219a. EI is constant.

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Solutions
The boundary conditions require zero slope and displacement at
A.

The support diagram reactions at A have been calculated by

statics and are shown on the free-body,

1 2 0 2 0
w 52 x 0 258 x 0 8 x 0 50 x 5 8 x 5

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Solutions
Since dV dx wx and dM dx V

1 1
V 52 x 0 258 x 0 8 x 0 50 x 5 8 x 5
0 1 1

0
M 258 x 0 52 x 0
1 1
8 x 0 2 50 x 5 0 1 8 x 5 2

2 2
0 2
( 258 52x 4 x 2 50 x 5 4 x 5 ) kN m

Integrating twice, we have

d 2v
EI 2 258 52 x 4 x 2 50 x 5 4 x 5
0 2

dx
dv 4 4
258 x 26 x 2 x 3 50 x 5 x 5 C1
1 3
EI
dx 3 3
26 3 1 4 1
EIv 129 x x x 25 x 5 x 5 C1 x C2
2 2 4

3 3 3
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Solutions
Since dv/dx = 0 at x = 0, C1 = 0; and
v = 0, at x=0, C2 = 0. Thus

1 26 3 1 4 1 4
v 129 x x x 25 x 5 x 5 m (Ans)
2 2

EI 3 3 3

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Determine the maximum deflection of the cantilevered
beam. EI is constant.

Copyright 2011 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd