Example problems

Example 1: To find slope and deflection:

The BM equation at any section of the

beam is

𝑀𝑥 = 𝑅𝐴 𝑥 − 5 (𝑥 − 1) − 15 (𝑥 − 2)

= 13𝑥 − 5 (𝑥 − 1) − 15 (𝑥 − 2)

𝑑2 𝑦
By differential equation of flexure, 𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 2 = 𝑀

𝑑2 𝑦
𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 2 = 13𝑥 − 5 (𝑥 − 1) − 15 (𝑥 − 2)-------(2)

𝑑𝑦 𝑥2 (𝑥−1)2 (𝑥−2)2
On integrating we get 𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 = 13 −5 − 15 + 𝐶1 ;----(3)
2 2 2

Again integrating,

𝑥3 (𝑥−1)3 (𝑥−2) 3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 13 −5 − 15 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2 ; ---(4)
6 6 6

The boundary conditions are,

At A, x = 0, and y = 0 (neglecting negative terms)

(0)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 13 + 𝐶1 (0) + 𝐶2
6

Therefore C2 = 0

At B, x = 5m, and y = 0;

Substituting in equation (4)

𝑥3 (𝑥−1)3 (𝑥−2) 3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 13 −5 − 15 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2 ---(4)
6 6 6

1 53 (5 − 1)3 (5 − 2)3
0= [13 − 5 − 15 + 𝐶1 (5)|
𝐸𝐼 6 6 6

This gives C1 = ―30 ; already we have C2 = 0

Now we have the equations for slope and deflection at any section of the beam
 𝑑𝑦 𝑥2 (𝑥−1)2 (𝑥−2) 2
𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥 = 13 −5 − 15 − 30
2 2 2

𝑥3 (𝑥 − 1)3 (𝑥 − 2)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 13 − 5 − 15 − 30𝑥
6 6 6

The equation for slope:

𝑑𝑦 𝑥2 (𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 − 2)2
𝐸𝐼 = 13 − 5 − 15 − 30
𝑑𝑥 2 2 2

For slope at A, substituting x = 0 in equation for slope and neglecting negative terms

𝑑𝑦 (0)2
𝐸𝐼 = 13 − 30
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑦 (−30)
= 𝜃𝐴 =
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
Now EI = 1620 kN-m2 (given data).
(−30)
So 𝜃𝐴 = = −0.0815 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = −1.06 𝑑𝑒𝑔
1620

For slope at B, put x = 5 m.

1 52 (5 − 1)2 (5 − 2)2
𝜃𝐵 = [13 − 5 − 15 − 30]
𝐸𝐼 2 2 2

= -0.0154 radians = -0.0884 deg

The equation for deflection:

𝑥3 (𝑥 − 1)3 (𝑥 − 2)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 13 −5 − 15 − 30𝑥
6 6 6

For deflection at C, put x = 1 m. (Please note the negative terms inside the brackets are
neglected)

13 (1 − 1)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦𝑐 = 13 −5 − 30(1)
6 6
1 13 (0)3
𝑦𝑐 = [ −5 − 30(1)]
𝐸𝐼 6 6

Yc = - 0.0171 m = - 17.1 mm

For deflection at D, put x = 2 m.

 23 (2 − 1)3 ( 2 − 2)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦𝐷 = 13 − 5 − 15 − 30(2)
6 6 6

So YD = -0.02685 m = -26.85 mm

For maximum deflection, put dy/dx = 0

𝑑𝑦 𝑥2 ( 𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 − 2)2
𝐸𝐼 = 13 − 5 − 15 − 30
𝑑𝑥 2 2 2
𝑥2 (𝑥 − 1)2 ( 𝑥 − 2)2
0 = 13 −5 − 15 − 30
2 2 2

We get x = 2.327 m (neglecting higher value)

Deflection equation:

𝑥3 (𝑥 − 1)3 (𝑥 − 2)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = 13 −5 − 15 − 30𝑥
6 6 6

Put x = 2.327 m in the above equation,

We get maximum deflection as

Ymax = -0.02749 m = -27.49 mm

Please Note: Here also we should neglect the

– ve terms, if any, inside the bracket.

Example 2: To find slope and deflection:

Mx = -15(6-x) -5 (2-x)

By differential equation of flexure,

𝑑2𝑦
𝐸𝐼 2 = 𝑀 = −15(6 − 𝑥 ) − 5(2 − 𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 (−1)(6−𝑥)2 (−1)(2−𝑥)2
Integrating, 𝐸𝐼 = −15 − 5
𝑑𝑥 2 2

𝑑𝑦 (6 − 𝑥 )2 (2 − 𝑥)2
𝐸𝐼 = +15 + 5 + 𝐶1
𝑑𝑥 2 2
 (−1)(6−𝑥)3 (−1)(2−𝑥)3
Integrating, 𝐸𝐼𝑦 = +15 + 5 +𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2
3𝑥2 3𝑥2

(6 − 𝑥 )3 (2 − 𝑥)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = −15 − 5 + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2
3𝑥2 3𝑥2

Boundary conditions:

at x = 0, dy/dx = 0 and y = 0;

𝑑𝑦 (6 − 𝑥 )2 (2 − 𝑥)2
𝐸𝐼 = +15 + 5 + 𝐶1
𝑑𝑥 2 2

(6 − 0 )2 (2 − 0)2
0 = +15 + 5 + 𝐶1
2 2

So C1 = -280

(6 − 𝑥 )3 (2 − 𝑥)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = −15 − 5 − 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2
3𝑥2 3𝑥2
(6 − 0)3 (2 − 0)3
0 = −15 − 5 − 𝐶1 (0) + 𝐶2
3𝑥2 3𝑥2

So C2 = 546.67

So the equations for slope and deflection are:

𝑑𝑦 (6 − 𝑥 )2 (2 − 𝑥)2
𝐸𝐼 = +15 + 5 − 280
𝑑𝑥 2 2
(6−𝑥)3 (2−𝑥)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = −15 − 5 − 280𝑥 + 546.67;
6 6

To find the slope at C put x = 2 m.

1 (6 − 2 )2 (2 − 2)2
𝜃𝐶 = [15 + 5 − 280]
𝐸𝐼 2 2

𝜃𝐶 = −0.0016 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = −0.091 𝑑𝑒𝑔

The maximum slope occurs at the free end.

Put x = 6 m. (Please note the negative terms inside the brackets are neglected)
 1 (6 − 6)2
𝜃𝐵 = [15 − 280]
𝐸𝐼 2

1 (0)2
𝜃𝐸 = [15 − 280]
𝐸𝐼 2

−280
𝜃𝐵 = = −0.0028 𝑟𝑎𝑑 = −0.160 𝑑𝑒𝑔
𝐸𝐼

To find deflection at C, put x = 2 m:

(6−𝑥)3 (2−𝑥)3
𝐸𝐼𝑦 = −15 − 5 − 280𝑥 + 546.67;
6 6

1 (6−2)3 (2−2)3
𝑦𝐶 = [−15 − 5 − 280(2) + 546.67];
𝐸𝐼 6 6

1 (6−2)3
𝑦𝐶 = 𝐸𝐼 [−15 − 280(2) + 546.67]
6

−173.33
𝑦𝐶 = = −0.001734 𝑚 = −1.734 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝐼
The maximum deflection occurs at the free end of the beam, put x = 6 m.

1 (6−6)3
𝑦𝐵 = 𝐸𝐼 [−15 − 280(6) + 546.67];
6

(neglect the negative terms inside the brackets)

1 (0)3
𝑦𝐵 = 𝐸𝐼 [−15 − 280(6) + 546.67];
6

−1133.33
𝑦𝐵 = = −0.01134 𝑚 = −11.34 𝑚𝑚
𝐸𝐼

Example 3: To find slope and deflection:

 (𝑥−4) (𝑥−8)
𝑀𝑥 = 𝑅𝐴 𝑥 − 25 (𝑥 − 2) − 3 (𝑥 − 4) + 3 (𝑥 − 8) + 82 (𝑥 − 10)0
2 2

(𝑥 − 4)2 (𝑥 − 8)2
𝑀𝑥 = 𝑅𝐴 𝑥 − 25 (𝑥 − 2) − 3 + 3 + 82(𝑥 − 10)0
2 2

The boundary conditions are,

At A, x = 0, and at x = 12 m, y = 0

Follow the procedure given above to solve the problem.

Please note that at support points deflection will be zero. So for simply supported and
overhanging beams, at support points the deflections are zero.

For cantilever beam, at the fixed end, both the slope and the deflection are zero.