COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES

DIVISION OF ENGINEERING
EVALUATION OF THE STRAIN ENERGY OF A BEAM

dWN =

1
1
Nds = N dx
2
2

dWV =

1
1
Vdv = V dx
2
2

dWM =

1
1
Md = My dx
2
2

dv

d = y 2 y1 = d ( y ) = y dx

Figure 1

Professor Panos D. Kiousis

March 2, 2005
Page1 of 2

Following Figure 1 we conclude that the total strain energy within a beam member of length L is:

Ws =

1
L 2 N dx +

1
L 2 V dx +

1
L 2 M y dx

Note that:

N = A = EA , V = A = GA , and M = EIy

Substituting N, V, M to the strain energy equation we have:

Ws =

1
EA 2 dx +
L2

1
GA 2 dx +
L2

1
EI y 2 dx
L2

It is common in slender beam problems to ignore the axial force and shear force contributions to the strain
energy because they are typically small. In short beam problems the shear contribution becomes significant and
cannot be ignored. In very short beam problems (L/D #1) the shear contribution is the dominant one and the
others can be ignored. Finally in truss problems the axial force contribution is the dominant one. In that case
the shear and bending contributions are typically ingored.
Thus,
Slender beams (L/D>10 - L/D>5 in practice): Ws =
Short beams (L/D>1): Ws =

2 GA

dx +

Very short beams (L/D<1): Ws =

Trusses: Ws =

2 EA
L

dx =

1
L 2 EI y 2 dx

2 EI y

dx

1
L 2 GA 2 dx
1

2 EA

2
i i

Li

Professor Panos D. Kiousis

March 2, 2005
Page2 of 2