Deflection:

Castiglianos Theorem
Theory of Structure - I

Contents
Castiglianos

Theorem

Trusses
Beams and Frames

Department of

Castiglianos Theorem
Energy

method derived by Italian engineer

Alberto Castigliano in 1879.

Allows

the computation of a defection at any

point in a structure.

Department of

Statement

According to Castiglianos First Theorem

the deflection of any point in a beam or truss
subjected to any set of loads is equal to the first
partial derivative of the strain energy, with respect to
a load at the point acting in the direction of
deflection

W
Department of

Castiglianos Second Theorem

This

theorem is also termed as

Theorem of Least Work

Theorem of Minimum Strain Energy

It

states:
The redundant reaction components of a
statically indeterminate structure are such as
to make the total strain energy stored up a
minimum

Department of

Castiglianos Second Theorem

If

an indeterminate axial force or bending

moment acts on the structure, the magnitude
of that force or moment must be such so that
the total strain energy, including the effect of
unknown force or moment, is a minimum.
If then an expression be determined for the
total strain energy in the structure, the first
partial derivative of this expression, with
respect to redundant must be zero.
Department of

Derivation
F1

Fn

Consider a solid object acted upon by n

forces, Fi=1 to n, as shown in the figure.
F3

F2

the body be linear elastic; and let i be

the component of deflection in the direction of
the ith force, Fi.

Let

The

total work done is then:

U =F11+ F22+ F33+. Fnn

Department of

Increase force Fn by an amount dF

This

changes the state of deformation and

increases the total strain energy slightly:

U
dU
dFn
Fn
Hence, the total strain energy after the
increase in the nth force is:

U
U
dFn
Fn
Department of

Now suppose, the order of this process is reversed;

i.e.,

Apply a small force dF n to this same

body and observe a deformation dn; then
apply the forces, Fi=1 to n.

As

these forces are being applied, dF n goes

through displacement n.(Note dFnis
constant) and does work:
dU = dFnn

Hence

the total work done is:

U+ dFnn

Department of

The end results are equal

Since

the body is linear elastic, all work is

recoverable, and the two systems are
identical and contain the same stored
energy:

U
U
dFn U dFn n
Fn

Department of

U
n
Fn
10

Castiglianos Theorem
P1

P2

Pi

P1

P2

Pi + dPi

Pi
P

Pi + dPi

U
dU
dPi
Pi

dPi

U*

(dPi)dU*

U
dU
dPi
Pi

U
Ui = f (P1, P2,, Pn)

U = U*
dU = dU*

Department of

U
dPi (dPi ) Pi
Pi
U
Pi
Pi

11

Castiglianos Second Theorem

The

term force may be used in its most

fundamental sense and can refer for
example to a Moment, M, producing a
rotation, , in the body.

U
n
M n
Department of

12

Applications:
Castiglianos

2nd theorem can be used to

determine the deflections in structures
(eg, trusses, beams, frames, shells) and
we are not limited to applications in which
only 1 external force or moment acts.
Furthermore, we can determine the
deflection or rotation at any point, even
where no force or moment is applied
externally.

Department of

13

Displacement :
Axial Load

N2
N N
Pi
(
dx ( )
dx
Pi 2 AE
Pi AE

n
Bending

M2
Pi
(
dx
Pi 2 EI

M M
)
dx
Pi EI

m
Shear

KV 2
V V
Pi
(
dx K ( )
dx
Pi 2GA
Pi GA

Where
v
= external displacement of the truss, beam or frame
P = external force applied to the truss, beam or frame in the direction of
N = internal axial force in the member caused by both the force P and the loads
on the truss, beam or frame
M = internal moment in the beam or frame, expressed as a function of x and caused
by both the force P and the real loads on the beam
V = internal moment in the beam or frame caused by both the force P and the real
loads on the beam

Department of

14

Slope :

Mi

Bending

Mi

U
M i

M2
M M

(
dx (
)
dx
M i 2 EI
M i EI

m
Where
= external slope of the beam or frame
Mi = external moment applied to the beam or frame in the direction of
M = internal moment in the beam or frame, expressed as a function of x and caused
by both the force P and the real loads on the beam

Department of

15

Castiglianos Theorem : Truss

P1

Where:

N3
N7
B

N
N

N1
N5

N8

N9

P2
(

N i N i
)
Li
P AE

P
= external joint displacement of the truss
P = external force applied to the truss joint in the direction of
N = internal force in a member cause by both the force P and the loads on the truss
L = length of a member
A = cross-sectional area of a member
E = modulus of elasticity of a member

Department of

16

Example 8-25
Determine the vertical displacement of joint C of the truss shown in the figure
below. The cross-sectional area of each member of the truss shown in the figure
is A = 400 mm2 and E = 200 GPa.

4 kN

3m
A

B
4m

Department of

4m

17

SOLUTION

C 4 kN

5m

-2

.5
2
+

4 kN

P
.5

3m

4m

B
1.5 kN

N: Real Load
-1

A
Cv N (

4m

N L
)
P AE

-0

1.5 kN

Cv

A
0.5P

-0

.83
3P

N: Virtual Load P

B
0.5P

10
.41

10.656
N(

N
)L
P

1
10.67kN m
(10.41 10.41 10.67)
kN
AE
(400 10 6 m 2 )(200 10 6 2 )
m

Department of

C
0.667P

1
4
.
0

3
3
8
.

Cv = 0.133 mm,

18

Example 8-26
Determine the vertical displacement of joint C of the steel truss shown. The
cross-section area of each member is A = 400 mm2 and E = 200 GPa.

E
4m

B
4m

C
4m

4 kN

Department of

D
4m

4 kN

19

SOLUTION

4
4

4m

4m

4 kN

4m

4 kN

4 kN
F

N: Real Load
5.33

Cv N (

Cv

N L
)
P AE

0.333P

1P
7
1P
.4
-0
0.667P 0.667P

C
P

5.33

0.667P

N: Virtual Load P

16
10.67 10.67

C
N
N ( )L
P

1
72.4kN m
[15.07 3(5.33) 2(10.67) 16 30.18)]
kN
AE
(400 10 6 m 2 )(200 106 2 )
m

Department of

8
.1
30

07
.
15
5.33

4 kN

+0

4m

0.333P

1P
7
.4
-0
0.333P

-0.333P

0A

43
.9
-0

7
65
.
-5

-4

57
.6
-5

5.
6

57

Cv = 1.23 mm,

20

Example 8-27
Determine the vertical displacement of joint C of the steel truss shown. The
cross-section area of each member is A = 400 mm2 and E = 200 GPa.

wall

C 10 kN

3m
B

A
2m

Department of

20 kN

21

SOLUTION

20

3m

13.333 kN A

2m

3m

D 0.667P

60

1P

0
0

0.667 P

D 31.126 C

A 2m

Cv N (

N: Virtual Load P

N(

N
)L
P

N L
)
P AE

195.25kN m
1

Cv
(60 31.13 104.12)
kN
AE
(400 10 6 m 2 )(200 106 2 )
m
Cv= 2.44 mm,

Department of

20 kN

N: Real Load

24

-2
3.6 4.03
6
1

20

0.667P

10
4.
1

D 23.333 C 10 kN

23.333 kN

1P

-1
.2
P

20 kN

22

Castiglianos Theorem : Beams

and Frames
Displacement

w
M1

A
x1

Cv

B
x1

x2
P

RA

RA

RB
L

(
0

Where:

M2

B
V1

V2

x2
RB

M M
)
dx
P EI

= external displacement of the point caused by the real loads acting on the beam
or frame
P = external force applied to the beam or frame in the direction of
M = internal moment in beam or frame , expressed as a function of x and cause by
both the force P and the loads on the beam or frame

Department of

23

 Slope
w

M1

x1
RA

B
x2
RB
L

(
0

Where:

x1
RA

M2

B
V1

V2

x2
RB

M M
)
dx
M ' EI

= external displacement of the point caused by the real loads acting on the beam
or frame
M = external moment applied to the beam or frame in the direction of
M = internal moment in beam or frame , expressed as a function of x and cause by
both the force P and the loads on the beam or frame

Department of

24

Example 8-28
The beam shown is subjected to a load P at its end. Determine the slope and
displacement at C. EI is constant.
P
B

C
2a

Department of

C
a

25

Displacement at C

SOLUTION

x1

x2

2a
M
diagram

3P
2

M1

Cv

M M
(
)
dx
P EI
0

P
2

EI

Px1
2

M2 = -Px2

-Pa

2a

M 1
1
M 2
(
)(
M
)
dx

(
0 P 1 1 EI 0 P )(M 2 )dx2

2a

1
x1
Px1
1

)(

)
dx

( x2 )( Px2 )dx2
1
EI 0 2
2
EI 0
3

Cv

Department of

1 P x1

( )( )
EI 4 3

2a
0

1
x

( P)( 2 )
EI
3

a
0

Pa 3

,
EI

26

Slope at C

A
0.5 P

2a

M
2a

1.5P

x1

M
2a

x2

M1 (0.5 Px1
A
0.5 P

M
2a

2a

V1

Mx1
)
2a

M2 Px2 M

x1

V2

x2

M
C

M 1
1
M 2
(
)(
M
)
dx

(
0 M 1 1 EI 0 M )(M 2 )dx2
0
0
2a
a
1
x1
Mx1
1

)(

0
.
5
Px

)
dx

( 1)( Px2 M )dx2

1
1

EI 0 2a
2a
EI 0

1
C
EI

1 P x1
C
( )( )
EI 4 3

Department of

2a
0

1
x

( P)( 2 )
EI
2

a
0

2 Pa 3 Pa 2 7 Pa 3

,
3EI 2 EI
6 EI

27

Example 8-29
Determine the slope and displacement of point B of the steel beam shown in the
figure below. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 250(106) mm4.

3 kN/m
A

Department of

5m

28

Displacement at B

SOLUTION
x
3 kN/m

( B ) (
0

M M
)
dx
P EI

5m
x
2

3x 2
Px
M
2

1
3x 2

( x)( Px
)dx

EI 0
2

1 3x 3

EI 0 2

3x

1 3x 4

(
EI 8

5
0

234.375kN 2 m 3

EI
234.375kN m3

kN
(200 106
)(250 10 6 m 4 )
m

Department of

B = 0.00469 m = 4.69mm,

29

slope at B
x
3 kN/m

B (
0

M M
)
dx
M ' EI

5m
x
2

3x 2
M '
M
2

1
3x 2

(1)( M '
) dx

EI 0
2

Deflected curve

3x

1 3x 3

(
EI 6

5
0

62.5kN 2 m3

EI

B = 4.69mm,

B = 0.00125 rad

Department of

1 3x 2

EI 0 2

62.5kN m 3

kN
(200 106
)(250 10 6 m 4 )
m

B = 0.00125 rad,

30

Example 8-30
Determine the slope and displacement of point B of the steel beam shown in the
figure below. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 60(106) mm4.

5 kN

14 kNm
A

B
2m

Department of

2m

3m

31

Displacement at B

SOLUTION
14 kNm x
1
A

x2

14
M
diagram

7 P

2 2
2m

V
diagram

( B ) (

x3

2m

7 P

2 2
3m

M M
)
dx
P EI

1
x1
7 x1 x1 P
(
)
(
14

)dx1
EI 0 2
2
2
5
2
1
x2 7 x2 Px2

(
)(

)dx2

EI 0 2
2
2
3

7 P
( )
2 2

(0)(0)dx3
7 P
( )
2 2

M 1 14

7 x1 Px1

2
2
7x
Px
M2 2 2
2
2

Department of

1
1
2
2

(
7
x

0
.
5
x
)
dx

(
3
x
1
1
1
2 ) dx2
EI 0
EI 0
2

1 7 x1 0.5 x1 2
1 3x
( )(

) 0 ( )( 2 )
EI
2
3
EI
3

20.667
20.667

EI
(200)(60)

B = 0.00172 m = 1.72 mm,

32

2
0

Slope at B

SOLUTION
14 kNm x
1
A

5 kN

B
M'
4
2m

x2
M

B (

x3

M M
)
dx
M ' EI

0
1
x1
M'

(
)
(
14

)dx1
1
EI 0 4
4
0
2
1
x2
M ' x2

)(
6
x

)dx2
2
EI 0
4
4
0

M'
6
4

2m

3m

V
diagram

(0)(0)dx3
0

M'
)
M'
4
(6
)
4
M'
M 1 14 (1
) x1
4
M'
M 2 (6
) x2
4

(1

14
M
diagram
A

B B = 1.72 mm
C

Department of

1
2

(
3
.
5
x

0
.
25
x
1
1 ) dx1
EI 0
2

1
2

1
.
5
x
)dx2
2

EI 0
2

B = 0.000194 rad

1 3.5 x1 0.25 x1 2 1
1.5 x2

)0
(
)
EI
2
3
EI
3
2.333
2.333

EI
(200)(60)

B = 0.000194 rad,

33

2
0

Example 8-31
Determine the displacement of point B of the steel beam shown in the figure
below. Take E = 200 GPa, I = 200(106) mm4.

10 kNm
A

Department of

Hinge
I
4m

20 kN
C

2I
3m

3m

34

SOLUTION
x1

20 kN

x2

x3

10 kNm
A

I
4m

3m

10 kNm

2I
3m

2.5 kN
0
P

20 kN

2.5 kN

75 + 6P

22.5 + P

2.5 kN
10 kNm
x1
2.5 kN

M3 = (22.5 + P)x3 - (75 + 6P)

M1 = 10 - 2.5x1
V1

75 + 6P

V3 x3

x2

22.5 + P

M2 = -(2.5 + P)x1

Department of

2.5 kN

V2

35

x1

20 kN

x2

x3

10 kNm
A

I
4m

10 kNm

3m

3m
M3 = (22.5 + P)x3 - (75 + 6P)

M1 = 10 - 2.5x1
x1

2.5 kN

75 + 6P

V1

2I

V3 x3

x2

22.5 + P

M2 = -(2.5 + P)x2
2.5 kN

V2

0
0
4
3
M M
1
1
B (
)
dx
(0)(10 2.5 x1 )dx1
( x2 )(2.5 x2 x2 P)dx2

P
EI
EI 0
2 EI 0
0
0
0
3
1

( x3 6)(22.5 x3 x3 P 75 6 P)dx3
2 EI 0
L

1
1
2
2
0
(
2
.
5
x
)
dx

(
22
.
5
x
210 x3 450)dx3
2
2
3
2 EI 0
2 EI 0

Department of

11.25 303.75 315

315

EI
EI
EI (200)(200)

= 7.875 mm,

36

Example 8-32
Determine the slope and the horizontal displacement of point C on the frame.
Take E = 200 GPa, I = 200(106) mm4

5m
B

C 4 kN
EI

2 kN/m
1.5 EI

6m

Department of

37

2 kN/m
12 kN
x1

SOLUTION
5m
B
EI
1.5 EI
A 12 + P

x2

Horizontal Displacement at C
M2 (

C P
36 6 P

5
5

M1 ( P 12) x1 x1
6m
x1

2x1
A

36 6 P

5
5

CH

36 6 P

) x2
5
5
C P

V2

x2

36 6 P

5
5

V1
12 + P

36 6 P

5
5

4
4
6
5
L
1
1
6 x2 36 x2 6 Px2
2
M i M i

(
x
)
(
x
P

12
x

x
)
dx

(
)(

)dx2
CH (
)
dx
1
1
1
1
1

1.5 EI 0
EI 0 5
5
5
P EI
0
6
5
1
1
2
3
2

(
16
x

x
)
dx

(
14
.
4
x
1
1
1
2 ) dx2
1.5 EI 0
EI 0
3
4
3
1 16 x1 x1 6 1 14.4 x2 5 552 600
1152

(
)0
(
)0

= + 28.8 mm ,
1.5 EI
3
4
EI
3
EI
EI (200)(200)

Department of

38

x2

Slope C

2 kN/m

5m

M2 M '(12

M
4 kN

B
C
EI

12 kN
x1

M'
12
5

1.5 EI

M1 16 x1 x1
6m
x1

2x1

A 16
M'
5

12

V2

4N

x2
12

M'
5

V1
16

A
12

M'
) x2
5
M

M'
5

0
0
0
6
5
L
1
1
x2
M ' x2
2
M i M i

(
0
)
(
16
x

x
)
dx

(
1

)(
M
'

12
x

)dx2
C (
)
dx
1
1
1
2

1.5 EI 0
EI 0
5
5
M ' EI
0
5

1
12 x2
0
(
12
x

)dx2
2
EI 0
5
2
3
1 12 x2 12 x2 5 50
50
C
(

)0

= + 0.00125 rad ,
EI
2
5 3
EI (200)(200)

Department of

39

Department of

40