ME2114 Pointers to Worksheet on Energy Methods

Q1. Convert the indeterminate problem to a determinate problem with unknown reaction
force, R. Find R from / = 0.

=0

=
Truss analysis:

5
, = ,
6

2
2

2
, = + ,
3

Q2. Convert the indeterminate problem to a determinate problem with unknown reaction
force, R. Find R from / = 0. Deflection of left end is given by = .

P
A

L
B

k=EI/L3

x
P
A

L
B

k=EI/L3

=0

= +

(( ))
1 2
=
+
2
2
0

ME2114 Pointers to Worksheet on Energy Methods

Q3. To find the deflection at B, add a force Q at B and apply Castiglianos Theorem,

=
|
=0

P
=

|
=0

B
Q

A common difficulty is to obtain expressions of T and M in the curved beam. From the free
body diagram below and the definition of used,

={

0
2

+ , 0

2
M

(1 + ) , 0
2

={

(1 ) + (1 + ), 0
2
A
B

P
Q=0
0

2
2
=
(
+
+
+
)|

2 2
2 2

=0

Hint : Do the differentiation first, then set Q=0 before attempting the integration. You will
find that the integral from /2 to 0 becomes zero and the integral from 0 to /2 is greatly
simplified.

ME2114 Pointers to Worksheet on Energy Methods

Q4. Convert the indeterminate problem to a determinate one by looking at half the ring
carrying half the load Q=P/2 as shown. Note that there will be a bending moment M0
when the ring is cut in half since the two halves are from a single continuous ring, i.e.,
M0=0 if the 2 halves are hinged together. This bending moment keeps the top and bottom

ends of the half-ring from rotating, i.e., = = 0

0

Q=P/2

P/2

M0
A

M M 0 QR sin

U
0

M2
Rd
2 EI

P/2

Determine M0 in terms of Q from = 0. Then find = |

0

=/2

Q5. Convert the indeterminate problem to a determinate one by replacing the support at C
with a vertical reaction force Q and a reaction moment Mc.
P
A

B
x

R
L

C
Mc
Q

Use Castiglianos Theorem to find Q and MC by solving simultaneously,

= 0,
=0

/2 2

For section BC: = (1 ) + , = 0

For section AB: = ( + ) + + , =

2
2
0 2

ME2114 Pointers to Worksheet on Energy Methods

Q6. Before applying PMPE, enforce y=0 at x=0, and y=0 at x=L.

Q7. y2 should give a better approximation because it has zero slope at the ends to correctly
represent fixed boundary conditions.
Q8. Find the PE in terms of u1, u2 and u3 from = + , where

2
2
2
=
( ( ) + ( ) + ( ) ),
2

2
3

= ( + + )
0

Q9. The following are intermediate results for you to check.

Rod

cos

sin

AC

EA / 4 3

0o

6 kN

AB

EA / 4

-30o

3/2

-1/2

BC

EA / 4

30o

3/2

1/2

4 3m
30

4m

30
B

4m

EA=50e6 N

0
0.75 0.4330 u B 0
1.5

0
0.5
0.4330 0.25 0 B y
EA

0.4330 uC 0
4 0.75 0.4330 1.3274

0.4330
0.25 vC 6e3
0.4330 0.25

(1)

0.75 0.4330 u B 0 u B 0.0011

1.5
EA

0.75 1.3274 0.4330 uC 0 uC 0.0014

4
0.4330 0.4330
0.25 vC 6e3 vC 0.0063
and from the deleted row in (1),
By

EA
0.4330uc 0.25vc 12000 N
4

(2)

ME2114 Pointers to Worksheet on Energy Methods

Q10. The following are intermediate results for you to check.

D

C
Rod

2m
A
B
P
2m

2m

cos

sin

1/ 2

1/ 2

AC

EA / 2 2

45

AB

EA / 4

0o

CD

EA / 2

180o

-1

BC

EA / 2 2

135o

-1 /

1/ 2

EA=80e6N

0.5 u B 0
1.2071 0.5 0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5 10e 3 B y
EA

0.5 2.4142
0 uC 0
2 2 0.5

0.5
0
1 vC 0
0.5
The 1st, 3rd and 4th eqn of the above simultaneous eqns can be written as

0 EA
(0.5)(10e 3)
0.5
0.5 u B
1.2071 0
2 2

0.5 0.5

y
0.5
0.5 10e 3
EA

EA
(0.5)(10e 3)
0 2.4142
0 uC 0
2 2 0.5
2 2

EA
v
0
.
5
0
0
1
(0.5)(10e 3)

C
0
2 2

u B 0.0017
uC 0.0017
vC 0.0041

ME2114 Pointers to Worksheet on Energy Methods

Q11. You only need to consider half the problem because of symmetry and you only need the
2nd equation in [K][u]=[f] to solve for va.
A

Zero x
displacement and zero

y reaction force
A 2

C L/2

fixed

L/2

fixed
[][] = []

(**) Solve va from 2nd eqn in [K][u]=[f]

i.e.,
2 + 5 ( 22) 6 ( 22) + 7 ( 2)
8 ( 2) = 0

So only need to determine 2nd row of [K]

matrix

0
8

22

22

[
]
[

2
]

Q12.

y
0
~
Using the given formula B 0 x
x y

~
~
for the 2 elements below, B a B b

Element a

Element b

x , it can be shown that

y

2L

2L

This means k local b k local a because k local

t ~T
~
B E B .
4A

u c P 1
For given problem, [K ]

2 1
vc

0 uc P 1
Et 0.6563

1.2188 vc
L2 0
2 1