Government College of Technology
Bannu
Structural Principal
Lecture 4
Method of Virtual Work
(Beams)
Engr. Haleem Ullah Khan
Instructor
Method of
Virtual Work:
Beams and
Frames
• The method of virtual work can also
be applied to deflection problems
involving beams and frames.
• The principle of virtual work or
virtual force, may be formulated for
beam deflections by considering the
beam shown in figure (b)
• Here the displacement ∆ at point A
is to be determined
Method of Virtual Work: Beams and Frames
• To determine the
displacement at A, a virtual
unit load acting in the
direction of ∆ is placed on
the beam at A, and the
internal virtual moment m is
determined by method of
sections at an arbitrary
location x as shown in figure
(a)
Method of Virtual Work: Beams and
Frames
• When the real loads act on the beam, point A is displaced ∆.
• Provided these loads cause linear elastic material response, the
element dx deforms or rotates
• On the other hand, M is the internal moment at x caused by the real
loads
• The external virtual work done by the unit load 1 ∆ and the internal
virtual work done by the moment m is md = m(M/EI)dx.
Method of Virtual Work: Beams and
Frames
• Summing the effects on all the elements along dx along the beam, we
can formulate the equation for virtual work
where,
1= external virtual unit load acting on the beam or frame in the direction
of ∆
m= internal virtual moment in the beam or frame, expressed as a function
of x by the external virtual unit load
∆= external displacement of the point caused by the real loads acting on the
beam or frame
M = internal moment in the beam or frame expressed as a function of x and
caused by the real loads
= internal virtual moment in the beam or frame, expressed as a function
of x by the external virtual unit couple moment
Procedure for Analysis
VIRTUAL MOMENTS or
• Place a unit load on the beam or frame at the point and in the direction of
the desired displacement
• If the slope is to be determined, placed a unit couple moment at the point.
• Establish appropriate x coordinates that are valid within regions of the
beam or frame where there is no discontinuity of real or virtual load
• With the virtual load in place, and all the real loads removed from the
beam or frame, calculate the internal moment or as a function of each x
coordinates
• Assume or , acts in the conventional positive direction for moment
Procedure for Analysis
REAL MOMENTS M
• Using the same x coordinates as those established for or , determine
the internal moments M caused only by the real loads.
• Since or was assumed to act in the conventional positive direction, it
is important that positive M acts in the same direction. This is
necessary since positive or negative internal work depends upon the
directional sense of the load.
Procedure for Analysis
VIRTUAL-WORK EQUATION
• Apply the equation of virtual work to determine the desired
displacement ∆ or rotation . It is important to retain the algebraic sign
of each integral calculated with in its specified region.
• If the algebraic sum of all the integrals for the entire beam or frame is
positive ∆ or is in the same direction as the virtual unit load or virtual
unit couple, respectively. If negative value results the direction is
opposite to the unit load or couple moment.
Example 1
Problem:
Determine the vertical displacement at point B shown below. Take I =
71.1 x 106 mm4 and E=200 GPa.
Example 1
Virtual Moment m:
A vertical displacement of point B is obtained by placing a virtual load
of 1 kN at point B. Note that there are no discontinuities of loading on
the beam for both the real and virtual loads. Thus, a single x coordinate
is used.
Example 1
Virtual Moment m:
The x coordinate will be
selected with its origin at B,
since then the reactions at
point A do not have to be
determined in order to find
the internal moments m and
M
Using the method of sections,
the internal virtual moment m
is shown,
Example 1
Real Moment M:
Using the same x coordinate
and by method of sections, the
internal moment M is shown,
∑ 𝑀=0
𝑀 + ( 12 𝑥 ) ( )
𝑥
2
=0
2
𝑀 =− 6 𝑥
Example 1
• Virtual-Work Equation:
Once m and M are determined, we can now apply the virtual-work
equation to solve for the displacement at B.
[ ]
3 4 4
6 𝑥3 6 (3 ) 6 (0)
∫ 𝐸𝐼 𝑑𝑥=
4
−[
4
]
0
Example 2
Problem:
Determine the slope at point B shown below. Take I = 60 x 106 mm4 and
E=200 GPa.
Example 2
Virtual Moment m:
The slope at B is determined by
placing a virtual couple moment of
1 kN-m at B. Here two x coordinates
must be selected in order to
determine the total virtual strain
energy in the beam. Coordinate
accounts for the strain energy
within segment AB and coordinate
accounts for that in segment BC
∑ 𝑀=0
=0
Virtual Moment m:
Using the method of sections, the internal
Example 2 virtual moment is shown,
Real Moments M:
Using the same coordinates and the
Example 2 internal moments M are shown
• Virtual-Work Equation:
Once and M are determined, we can now
Example 2 apply the virtual-work equation to solve
for the slope at B.