Applications to Deformations in Structures

P2L
PL
U
;
2 AE
AE

A
External Work done by forces on structure = internal Strain Energy

Consider the truss shown

at the right:
External Work =F
where = deflection at B.
All 7 members have same
AE (axial stiffness)

Load, F

This assumes that the system is linear-elastic, and

therefore the deflection is a linear function of F.

, Deflection at B
The total strain energy stored in the system is the sum of the
individual strain energies in each of the truss members
numbered i=1 to 7.
7

U
i 1

Pi 2 Li
2 Ei Ai

Equating External Work to Internal Strain Energy:

7
Pi 2 Li
1
F
2
i 1 2 Ei Ai

Pi 2 Li

i 1 Ei Ai
7

Since, in this case, EA is constant for all members,

1 7 2
B
Pi L

FEA i 1

Try it!
A lightweight aluminum truss,
E=70000 MPa, has a height,
Lo=1m, and is made of tubular
stock with a cross sectional area
of 250 mm2. Determine the
deflection at B when the load,
F=20kN.
OK!..
Lets use an Energy method!

1 7 2
B
Pi L

FEA i 1

Solution:
Solve the truss using statics to determine the forces in each member:
Forces

Length of
Members

P1=-F
P2= 2 F
P3=-F
P4=-2F
P5= 2 F
P6=F
P7=0
Sum

L1=L0
L2= 2L0
L3=L0
L4=L0
L5= 2L0
L6=L0
L7=L0

Pi2Li

F2 L0
2
2 2F L0
F2 L0
4F2 L0
2
2 2F L0
F2 L0
0
(7+42) F2 L0

Note: It doesnt matter if the axial load is compressive or

tensile, both add to the total strain energy since the P
term is squared.

OK, already find the deflection.

7 4 2 FL

EA
7 4 2 (20000) N (1000)mm

mm
2
2
(70000) N / mm (250)mm
14.4mm

What is the maximum stress in the truss?

P4 =-2F=40kN (compression)
S=P/A = 40000/250 = 160 MPa
assumptions about linear elasticity are OK, if Sy>160MPa

Beam Elements:
F(x)
x
z

dA
y

dx

A beam that is symmetrical in x-section about the z-axis, is

subjected to bending. Consider a infinitesimal volume element
of length dx and area dA as shown. This element is subjected
to a normal stress: x=My/I
1
The Strain Energy Density on this element is: u 2 x x
For linear elastic material

1 2

x
2E

My
Substituting, x
I

and multiplying by the Volume of the element

M 2 y2
udxdA
dxdA
2
2 EI
Hence, the Strain Energy for a slice of the beam, of width dx, is

dU udxdA
A

dx

M2
2

dx
y
dA
2

A
2 EI
y 2 dA I xx
M2
dU
dx
2 EI

Assumptions.
There is no axial force on the element (case
of pure bending)
The shear stress & strain on the element is
relatively small, and hence the contribution
of shear strain energy is negligible.
These assumptions are generally valid for
long slender beams.

Strain Energy in Entire Beam

Consider the cantilever beam as shown
F

I
y

M=F(x-L)
U

F x L 2 dx

F 2 L3

6 EI

2 EI

Deflection
L

F
x

I
y
External Work,

1
W F =
2
2 3
F L

6 EI
3
FL

3EI

Linear-elastic,
F

Strain Energy

Classical Solution

Try it!

For 0 xL/2: M=Px/2

P/2

-P/2

PL/4
Moment

Note by symmetry we
can find the total strain
energy by doubling the
strain energy of the
LHS.

L/2

L/2
Shear Force

Determine Elastic
Strain Energy due to
bending for simply
supported 3-point
bending member of
constant X-section.

L/2

M
M2
U
dx 2
dx
2 EI
2 EI
0
0
L/2

P2 x2
dx
8 EI

3 L/2

P x

12 EI

2 3

P L

96 EI

L/2
0

y
Determine B.

L/2

B can be determined by an energy method:.

1
P 2 L3
W F B
2
96 EI
PL3
B
48EI

Izz=bh3/12

z
y

h=50mm
b=20 mm

Find the Deflection for the x-section shown: L=2m, P=20 kN;
h=50mm, b=20mm, SAE1045 Steel, E=200,000 MPa, Sy=400MPa
3

PL
20000(2000)

48EI 48(200000)(50)(100) 3 / 12
4mm

Mc PL / 4(h / 2)

I zz
(b)(h) 3 / 12

20000(2000) / 4(50 / 2)
(50)(100) 3 / 12
60 MPa < Sy , OK

Elastic Strain Energy due to Transverse

Shear Stress
y
xy

xy

x
xya

1
U xy y a 3
2
1
u xy xy ; xy G xy
2
2
xy

2G

Shear Strain Energy

F(x)
x

dA
dx

1 xy
U udV
dV
2 G
xy T / dA;Where T shear force
2

1 T2
U 2 dAdx
2 AG
1 fT 2

dx
2 AG

f is called a form factor:

Circle
f=1.11
Rectangle f=1.2
Tube
f=2.00
I section
f=A/Aweb

Try it.

For 0 xL/2: T=P/2

P/2

-P/2

PL/4
Moment

Note by symmetry we
can find the total strain
energy by doubling the
strain energy of the
LHS.

L/2

L/2
Shear Force

Determine Elastic
Strain Energy due to
shear strain for simply
supported 3-point
bending member of
constant X-section.

 xy

3T
y2
1 2

2A
c
for rectangle x-section

A 12 I / h
2

2
2

fP Lh
1.2 P Lh
U

96GI
96GI

z
y

h=2c
bmm

Izz=bh3/12
A=bh

For most metals G0.4E we find that:

3h 2
U U b 2
L

And for slender beam, L/h=10

U 0.03U b

which may be neglected