4.

6 Method of Virtual Work: Shear

• The shearing distortion dy of the element as caused by the real
loads is dy = γdx.
• If shearing strain, γ, is caused by linear elastic material response,
then Hooke’s Law applies.

 
  dy  dx
G G
V 
  K 
 A
where K = form factor
• Hence, virtual work for shear:

 V 
L
Us   K dx
0
 GA 
where,
v = int. virtual shear in the member caused by 1 kN of virtual
load acting at the considered point for its displacement,
expressed in a function of x.
V = ext. shear in the member caused by real loads, expressed in a
function of x
A = cross sectional area of the member
G = shear modulus of elasticity for the material
K = form factor.
 1.0 for square cross section
 1.2 for rectangular cross section
 1.11 for circular cross section
4.7 Method of Virtual Work: Torsion
• 3-D frameworks are subjected to torsional loadings.
• The virtual strain energy due to torsion for members having
noncircular cross-sectional areas is determined using more
rigorous analysis than that presented here.
cd

dx
 Tc
where   ; 
G J
Hence,
  Tc
d  dx  dx  dx
c Gc GJc
T
d  dx
GJ
• Virtual work for torsion:

tTL
Us 
GJ
where,
t = int. virtual torque caused by ext. virtual unit load
T = int. torque in the member caused by real loads
L = member’s length
G = shear modulus of elasticity for the material
J = polar moment of inertia for the cross section
Summary
• In real situation, a structure is subjected to axial, bending, shear
and torsion deformations (perhaps, temperature variation and
fabrication too).
• Hence, using virtual work method, the translation and rotational
displacement of a point/joint in a real life structure can be
calculated as:

L  nN  L  mM  L  νV  L  tT 
1  Δ,     dx  0  dx  0 K  dx  0  dx
0
 AE   EI   GA   GJ 
Example 4.7
Determine the horizontal displacement of point B on the frame. Take
E = 200 GPa, G = 80 GPa, I =235(106) mm4, A = 50(103) mm2. The
cross-sectional area is rectangular. Include the internal strain energy
due to axial load, moment & shear.
Solution: *Please refer to the Example 4.7 solution hand out for
details calculation*
Axial load:
nNL
1. Bx ,axial 
AE
1  103
 Bx ,axial  1.25 (112 .5)( 3)  0 (0)( 2.4)
50000  10  200  10 
6 6

 0.042 mm

Bending:
L
mMdx
1. Bx ,bending 
0
EI
1 3 1 2 .4
0 ( x1 )(180 x1  30 x )dx  EI 
2
 Bx ,bending  1 (1.25 x2 )(112 .5 x2 )dx
EI 0
3 2.4
1 180 x1 30 x1  1 140.63x2 
3 4 3
      
EI  3 4  0 EI  3 0
1660.5
  10 3
 35.3 mm
200  10 235  10 10 
6 6 12
Shear:
L  νV 
1. Bx ,shear   K dx
0
 GA 
3 1.2(1)(180  60 x ) 2 .4 1.2( 1.25)( 112 .5)
 Bx ,shear  1
dx1   dx2
0 GA 0 GA
3
1.2  10 3
 60 x 
2
 180 x  1
 
140 . 63 x 2.4

80  106 50000  106  


1
2

0
2 0

 0.182 mm

Hence, 1 · ΔBx = 0.042 + 35.3 + 0.182 = 35.52 mm

ΔBx = 35.52 mm (→)