A problem about virtual work principle for continuous system

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the challenges of applying the virtual work principle to continuous mechanical systems, specifically in deriving equilibrium equations. The author notes difficulties in obtaining simple equilibrium equations and seeks expert advice to clarify their understanding. They provide a mathematical formulation involving stress, compression, and integration by parts to illustrate their problem. The key takeaway is that the virtual work approach leads to a relationship between tension and pressure at the boundary of the system. The author aims to resolve their confusion regarding the application of these principles in continuous systems.
athosanian
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dear all, the virtual work pinciple can be used to derive the equilibrium equations for the mechanical systems. however, when I want to apply it to a continuous system, I found it can not give out the simple equilibrium equations. there should be something wrong with my thinking. I expect some expert could give me some advice. thanks very much.

the problem detail is shown in the pictures:
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The virtual work needed to compress (or elongate) the small element is the stress times the amount of the compression. So,
<br /> \begin{align}<br /> &amp;TA(\delta u+\frac{d \delta u}{dx} dx - \delta u)=TA\frac{d \delta u}{dx} dx,\\<br /> &amp;\delta W=\int_0^L TA\frac{d \delta u}{dx} dx=TA\delta u|_{x=0}^{x=L}-A \int_0^L \delta u\frac{dT}{dx}dx =TA\delta u|^{x=L}-A \int_0^L \delta u\frac{dT}{dx}dx,<br /> \end{align}<br />
where we use integration by parts.
As \delta u is arbitrary, we have \frac{dT}{dx} anywhere other than the open endx=L. Happily we know that T=P at x=L. We get equation (1).
 
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