Dr.
Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
The Hashemite University
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering
CE 313 : Structural Analysis for Architectural Students
Chapter 6: Deflections Using Energy Methods
Dr. Ra’ed Al-Mazaidh
External Work and Strain Energy
For more complicated loadings or for structures such as trusses & frames, it is suggested that energy
methods be used for the computations.
Most energy methods are based on the conservation of energy principal:
“ Work done by all external forces acting on a structure, Ue , is transformed into internal work or
strain energy Ui”
If the material’s elastic limit is not exceeded, the elastic strain energy will return the structure to its
undeformed state when the loads are removed.
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
External Work—Force.
When a force F undergoes a displacement 𝒅𝒙 in the same direction as the
force, the work done is:
If the total displacement is 𝒙, the work becomes:
Consider the effect caused by an axial force applied to the end of a bar
F is gradually increased from 0 to some limiting value 𝐹 = 𝑃
The final elongation of the bar becomes ∆
If the material has a linear elastic response, then F = (P/∆)x
Substituting into equation and integrating from 0 to ∆ , we get
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External Work—Moment
The work of a moment = magnitude of the moment (M) x the angle (𝑑𝜃) through which it rotates.
If the total angle of rotation is 𝜃 rad, the work becomes:
If the moment is applied gradually to a structure having a linear elastic response from 0 to M, then
the work done is:
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
Strain Energy—Axial Force.
When an axial force N is applied gradually to the bar, it will strain the material such that the external work
done by N will be converted into strain energy.
Provided the material is linearly elastic, Hooke’s Law is valid
……….(1)
If the bar has a constant x-sectional area (A) and length (L)
…………..(2)
...……….(3)
Substitute Eq. (2) and Eq. (3) into Eq. (1)
…………………..(4)
But …………………..(5)
Substitute Eq. (4) into Eq. (5) with P=N
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Strain Energy—Bending
Consider the beam in Fig. (a), 𝑃 & 𝑤 are gradually apply
These loads create an internal moment M in the beam at a section located a
distance 𝑥 from the left support.
Consequently, the strain energy or work stored in the element can be
determined since the internal moment is gradually developed
The resulting rotation of the differential element 𝑑𝑥, Fig.(b), can be found
from the following equation, that is:
Since the internal moment is gradually developed , the strain energy, or work
stored in the element, is determined from eq.
Hence,
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
The strain energy for the beam is determined by integrating this result over the beam’s entire
length L. The result is
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Principle of Work and Energy
Consider finding the displacement ∆ at a point where the force P is
applied to the cantilever beam.
The external work:
To obtain the resulting strain energy, we must first determine the
internal moment as a function of position x in the beam and then
apply.
In this case 𝑀 = −𝑃𝑥, so that:
The external work:
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
Limitations:
Although the solution here is quite direct, application of this method is limited to only a few select problems.
It will be noted that only one load may be applied to the structure.
If more than one load were applied, there would be an unknown displacement under each load, and yet it is
possible to write only one “work” equation for the beam
Only the displacement under the force can be obtained, since the external work depends upon both the force
and its corresponding displacement.
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Principle of Virtual Work
Developed by John Bernoulli in 1717 and is sometimes referred to as the unit-load method.
It provides a general means of obtaining the displacement and slope at a specific point on a
structure, be it a beam, frame, or truss.
If we take a deformable structure of any shape or size & apply a series of external loads P to it, it will
cause internal loads 𝑢 at points throughout the structure
As a consequence of these loadings, external displacement ∆ will occur at the P loads & internal
displacement 𝛿 will occur at each point of internal loads 𝑢
In general, these displacement do not have to be elastic, & they may not be related to the loads
In general, then, the principle of work and energy states
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
Consider the structure (or body) to be of arbitrary shape.
Suppose it is necessary to determine the displacement ∆ of point A on the
body caused by the “real loads” P1, P2 and P3
It is to be understood that these loads cause no movement of the supports
They can strain the material beyond the elastic limit.
Since no external load acts on the body at A and in the direction of ∆, the (a)
displacement ∆ can be determined by first placing on the body a “virtual”
load such that this force P’ acts in the same direction as ∆
We will choose P’ to have a unit magnitude, P’ =1. Once the virtual
loadings are applied, then the body is subjected to the real loads
P1, P2 and P3.
Point A will be displaced an amount ∆ causing the element to deform
an amount 𝑑𝐿 (b)
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As a result, the external virtual force P’ & internal load 𝑢 “ride along” by ∆ and
𝑑𝐿 & therefore, perform external virtual work of 1.∆ on the body and internal
virtual work of 𝑢. 𝑑𝐿 on the element.
(a)
By choosing P’ = 1, it can be seen from the solution for ∆ follows directly since
(b)
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
A virtual couple moment 𝑀’ having a unit magnitude is applied at this point
This couple moment causes a virtual load 𝑢𝜃 in one of the elements of the body.
Assuming that the real loads deform the element an amount 𝑑𝑙, the rotation 𝜃 can be found from the
virtual – work equation.
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Method of Virtual Work: Trusses
We can use the method of virtual work to determine the displacement of a truss joint when the truss is
subjected to an external loading, temperature change, or fabrication errors.
External Loading
For the purpose of explanation let us consider the vertical
displacement of joint B of the truss in Fig(a).
A typical element of the truss would be one of its members
having a length 𝐿
If the applied loadings P1 and P2 cause a linear elastic
material response, then this element deforms an amount:
∆𝐿
where N is the normal or axial force in the member, caused by the loads
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Example 1
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
1. Apply 1 unit force (virtual load) (1 K) at point C
No real loads are applied
2. Analyze this truss by method of section and/or
method of joints to find the virtual forces n
1K
3. Analyze the real truss by method of section and/or
method of joints to find the real forces N
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5. Substitute :the value from the table and the
4. Construct a table contains the following for each member:
values of E,A in the equation
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
Method of virtual work: Beams & Frames
The method of virtual work can also be applied to deflection problems involving
beams and frames.
Strains due to bending are the primary cause of beam or frame deflections.
To compute ∆, a virtual unit load acting in the direction of is placed on the beam
at A.
The internal virtual moment 𝒎 is determined by the method of sections at an
arbitrary location 𝑥 from the left support
𝑀
When point A is displaced , the element 𝑑𝑥 deforms or rotates 𝑑𝜃 = 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼
𝑀
The internal virtual work done by the moment 𝒎 is 𝑚𝑑𝜃 = 𝑚 𝑑𝑥.
𝐸𝐼
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
If the tangent rotation or slope angle 𝜽 at a point on the
beam’s elastic curve is to be determined, a unit couple
moment is applied at the point.
The corresponding internal moment 𝑚𝜃 m have to be
determined.
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If concentrated forces or couple moments act on
the beam or the distributed load is discontinuous,
separate x coordinates will have to chosen within
regions that have no discontinuity of loading.
It is not necessary that each 𝑥 have the same
origin.
The 𝑥 selected for determining the real moment 𝑀 in
a particular region must be the same 𝑥 as that
selected for determining the virtual moment 𝑚 or 𝑚𝜃
within the same region.
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
Example 2
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1. Apply 1 unit force (virtual load) (1 KN) at point B
No real loads are applied
2. Take a section at a distance x from point B
3. Take a section at the same distance x (same reference) with real loads
No virtual load are applied
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Example 3
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
1. Apply 1 unit moment (virtual moment) (1 KN.m) at
point B (No real moment are applied)
2. Take 2 sections (why?)
3. Take 2 section at the same distances (X1,X2) (same reference) with real loads No virtual moment are applied
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
Example 4
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1. Apply 1 unit load (virtual load) (1 KN) at point C (No real B C
loads are applied)
Cy= 1.25 K
2. Take 2 sections (why?) then find moments at these sections.
Ax=1 K A
Ay=1.25 K
𝑀𝐴 = −1 10 + 𝐶𝑦 8 = 0 → 𝐶𝑦 = 1.25𝐾 ↑
+
𝐹𝑦 = −𝐴𝑦 + 1.25 = 0 → 𝐴𝑦 = 1.25𝐾 ↓
+
+
𝐹𝑋 = −𝐴𝑥 + 1 = 0 → 𝐴𝑥 = 1 𝐾 ←
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Dr. Ra'ed Al-Mazaidh CE313-Structural Analysis-Spring 2023
3. Apply the real loads (No virtual load are applied)
R=4*10= 40K Cy= 25 K
4. Take 2 sections , then find moments at these sections.
Ax=40 K
Ay=25 K
𝑀𝐴 = −40 5 + 𝐶𝑦 8 = 0 → 𝐶𝑦 = 25 𝐾 ↑
+
𝐹𝑦 = −𝐴𝑦 + 25 = 0 → 𝐴𝑦 = 25 𝐾 ↓
+
+
𝐹𝑋 = −𝐴𝑥 + 40 = 0 → 𝐴𝑥 = 40 𝐾 ←
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𝑚1 . 𝑀1 𝑚2 . 𝑀2
=න . 𝑑𝑥 + න . 𝑑𝑥
0 𝐸𝐼 0 𝐸𝐼
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