Tutorial 3: Deflection of Beams

1. Both of the beams shown below has a constant cross-section, and the weight of the beam
itself can be ignored (i.e. it’s small with respect to the size of the applied loads).

For both questions

• use Macaulay step functions to write an expression for the bending moment (M) in the
entire beam as a function of x (the distance along the beam from the left-hand end);
• differentiate the expression to obtain the shear force (Q) as a function of x;
• for each ‘section’ of the beam (i.e. where there is a change in loading) draw a free
body diagram and write the expression for M and Q in that section. Check your
answers by comparing it with Tutorial 1 Q5 and Q6.

(a)
30kN 50kN
3m 2m 4m

(b)
10kN/m 20kN 30kN

3m 2m 3m 1m

2. For question 1(b), integrate the expression for bending moment (M) to obtain the beam
deflection as a function of x. Plot the deflection using a graphics program such as Excel,
Maple or Matlab.

3. A horizontal beam is subjected to the loading shown below. Calculate the beam deflection
under the 8 kN force. The bending stiffness (or flexural rigidity) EI of the beam is 1 MNm2.
(4.92 mm)
2 kN 6 kN/m 8 kN

1m 3m 1m

Prof. Andrew Moore, Heriot-Watt University

4. A simply supported beam of length 2 m has a point load applied to it at a distance 1.6 m
from the left-hand end. Worked example 5 showed that the deflection is given by:
− EIv = 0.2 x 3 − [x − 1.6] − 0.768 x
3

Determine an expression for the position of the maximum deflection. Use the fact that the
maximum deflection occurs in the longest section of the beam to obtain your answer. Hence
calculate the maximum deflection of the beam.
6 kN (1.13 m, 0.579/EI)
1.6 m

2m

Statically indeterminate beams

5. Inspect the beams below and state whether they are statically determinate or indeterminate,
assuming that the applied loads W and w/unit length are known. No calculation is required!

(a) W W (b) W W (c)

W

(d) (e) w / unit length

W W

L/2 L/2

Prof. Andrew Moore, Heriot-Watt University

6. A propped cantilever is loaded with a uniformly distributed load as shown in the figure
below. It has a constant cross section and the weight of the beam is included in the UDL.
Calculate the reactions and moments at the supports.
[15kN, 25kN, -20kNm]
Sketch the bending moment distribution along the beam (i.e. you DO NOT need to use graph
paper). Mark important values on the graph, including labels for the axes and the values of
bending moment at the beam ends.

Evaluate dM/dx for the beam, and calculate the position and value of the local maximum
bending moment. Also calculate the location of the point of contraflexure (where the bending
moment is zero and changes sign).
[1.5m, 11.25kNm, 3m]
10kN/m

4m

7. A steel girder (E=200 GN/m2) has a weight that can be approximated by a UDL of 1 kN/m
and acts as a rail for an overhead crane of weight 50 kN. The rail is 20 m long, is built in at
both ends and has a constant cross-section with the dimensions (in mm) shown in the figure.
Calculate the reactions and moments at the supports.
[15.2kN, -65.33kNm, 54.8kN, -161.33kNm]

For the position of the crane shown, calculate the position and value of the maximum bending
moment (assume that it occurs in the first section of the beam i.e. at x < 16 m, before the load
W). Determine the maximum longitudinal stress σx in the beam at this point, and determine if
it exceeds the material yield stress of 350 MN/m2.
[15.2 m, 50.19 kNm, 25.45 MN/m2]

Sketch the bending moment distribution along the beam (i.e. you DO NOT need to use graph
paper). Mark important values on the graph, including labels for the axes and the values of
bending moment at the beam ends and at the discontinuities in the beam loading.
20
50 kN
16m
1 kN/m
467

11.5

20 m 20
mm 193

Prof. Andrew Moore, Heriot-Watt University

8. A built-in misaligned beam is loaded with a uniformly distributed load as shown in the
figure below. It has a constant cross section and the weight of the beam is included in the
UDL. For the beam section, EI=1 MNm2. Calculate the reactions and moments at the
supports.
[7.5kN, -5.5kNm, -1.5kN, 3.5kNm]

Demonstrate that your solution is correct by comparing it with Worked examples 1 and 3 (an
example of the so-called superposition principle).

3 kN/m

3 mm

2m

9. The propped cantilever shown below is made of steel (E=200 GN/m2) and has a constant
rectangular cross-section of depth, D and width D/2 (where D=26.34mm). Calculate the
reactions and moments at the supports.
[1.33kN, 1.67kN, -0.47kNm]

Calculate the position and value of the maximum deflection of the beam (assume that it
occurs in the longest section of the beam i.e. at x > 0.4 m, after the load W).
[0.44m, 9.1mm]

3 kN

3 mm

0.4 m
1m

Prof. Andrew Moore, Heriot-Watt University