STRUCTURAL MECHANICS PART III

From Tom Cascella, Towson State University

In the past two newsletters we examined the first two factors needed to design a structural member (Section Modulus and
Horizontal Shear). In part III we will explore the third factor - Deflection (deformation).
Structural members must possess adequate stiffness or resistance to deflection in addition to having the correct section
modulus and resistance to horizontal shear. Most building codes require that the maximum allowable deflection of a
structural member must not exceed L / 360 of the span.
da =L / 360
da =the allowable deflection
L =the length of the span in inches
360 =a constant
However, in theatre construction the maximum deflection should not exceed L / 240 of the span. Why is there a
difference? In home construction a beam (stringer) usually supports a floor on the top of the beam and a ceiling on the
beam underside. Therefore, if the deflection is excessive a plaster ceiling will crack. In the theatre we seldom use plaster
ceilings under structural members and the amount of deflection isn't as critical. Except when you want to roll a wagon you
intentionally build in deflection to create a spring-like floor.
Let's look at an example and try to solve for the allowable deflection of a beam 16'-0" long. What is the beam's maximum
allowable deflection for standard theatre use?
da =L / 240
da =(16'-0") (12) / 240
da =.8"
With a span of 16'-0" the deflection should not exceed eight tenths of an inch. Wow! that certainly is deflecting. Will the
beam break? The answer is no - as long as the loading condition didn't exceed the section modulus and the horizontal
shear then this beam will not break do to the excessive deflection. Remember, this is a guideline to help you decide what
is the allowable deflection for this span based on average use. Beams, pipes, platform lids, etc. deflect (or deform) all the
time, but they do not always break. Bridges, buildings, etc. are designed to deform under stress (wind, heat, cold, etc.).
However, this deflection can cause additional strain to the fasteners that hold the structural members together. We will
examine those factors in future articles.
The previous information examined the allowable deflection of structural members and now we will examine the
Developed Deflection caused by structural members undergoing loads.
Let's examine the developed deflection of a simple beam supporting a concentrated load in the center and a reaction
(support, leg, etc.) at each end See figure 1.
This simple beam with a concentrated load at the center has a developed deflection equal to:
Dd =p(L) / (48) (E) (I)
Dd =the developed deflection
p =the concentrated load at the center of the beam
L =the length of the span in inches cubed
48 =a constant
E =the modulus of elasticity for the species and grade of lumber (determined by the National Lumber Association)
I =the Moment of Inertia of the structural member ( I =(b) (d^3) / 12 ).
Where,
b =the base of the structural members
d^3 =the depth of the structural member cubed and
12 is a constant
Note: the values of "b" and "d" in this formula are dressed dimensions of the lumber and not the rough dimensions.
Well that certainly is a lot of information! Maybe, we should try to solve a problem and see how all the factors work
together.
EXAMPLE: Compare the allowable and developed deflection of a structural member that is 8'-0" long and supports a load
of 300 pounds at the center and has a leg at each end. The structural member is a 2x4 (douglas fir dense select structural
grade).
1) Determine the allowable deflection for this span (8'-0')
Da =1 (12) / 240
Da =(8'-0') (12) / 240
Da =96" / 240
Da =.4"
This structural system should not deflect more than four tenths of an inch.
2) Let's examine the structural systems developed deflection which is related to the load, the span, the size of the
structural member, and the species and grade of lumber.
Db =(P) (L^3) / (48) (E) (I)
P=the load (300 pounds)
L=the length of the span in inches cubed
48 =a constant
E =the modules of elasticity for this species and grade of lumber which is 1,700,00 pounds per square inch (found in the
lumber table).
I =the Moment of inertia
I =(b) (d^3) / 12
I =(1.5") (3.5') / 12
I =64.31 inches/12
I =5.35 inches
3) Replace the variables with the values determined above -
Dd =P (L^2) / 48 (E) (I)
Db =300#(8'0") (12) / 48 (1,700,000 psi) (5.35')
Db =300#(6,144") / 81,600,000 psi (5.35")
Db =1,843,200"#/ (4.3656 x 10 psi)
Dd =.004"
4) Now let's compare the developed deflection to the allowable deflection:
Dd =.004" and Da =.4
This simple beam with a concentrated load at the center will not exceed the allowable deflection of .4". Therefore, this
structural member will work for deflection.
Remember, this is a 300#dead load (not active) acting in the center of the span and we did not take into consideration the
weight of the beam.
In the next issue of IN THE WINGS we will design a beam using the Section Modules formula, the Horizontal Shear
formula, and the Deflection formula. Future IN THE WINGS issues will cover fastener strength and leg construction.