Beam Deflection - UDL's and Point Loads

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating beam deflection under uniformly distributed loads (UDLs) and point loads using specific formulas. The beam in question has a cross-section of 20mm tall by 10mm deep and a length of 800mm, with material properties of aluminium 7075 series (E = 71.7 GPa). Key equations mentioned include (WL^3)/48EI for point loads and (5wL^4)/384EI for UDLs, with an emphasis on the principle of superposition to find the resultant deflection. The conversation also highlights the use of integration for more complex load scenarios and references the Steel Designers Manual for specific UDL deflection calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of beam mechanics and deflection theory
  • Familiarity with material properties, specifically aluminium 7075 series
  • Knowledge of the principle of superposition in linear systems
  • Ability to perform integration for complex load scenarios
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the deflection formulas (WL^3)/48EI and (5wL^4)/384EI
  • Learn about the integration techniques for calculating deflection under varying load conditions
  • Review the Steel Designers Manual for additional deflection equations and examples
  • Explore Macaulay's method for beam deflection analysis and its practical applications
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Mechanical engineers, civil engineers, and students studying structural analysis who need to understand beam deflection calculations under various loading conditions.

Corsan
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Hello,
I have tried for numerous hours to solve this and I'm getting no where, could one of you put me out of my misery?

Homework Statement



[PLAIN]http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3240/beamloads.jpg

The cross section of the beam is 20mm tall by 10 deep. 800mm length.

Hopefully you can see the above image which is the question.

Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution



Using the cross-section above I have calculated EI to be

I= bd^3 = 10 x (20^3) = 6666.66
...12...12
Sorry about the dots, spaces didnt seem to work.

Multiply this by E (71.7GPa - aluminium 7075 series) to give 477999.52 N/mm^2.

After this I have tried various equations such as (WI^3)/48EI to calculate the point load.
Also using (5wI^4)/384EI to calculate the UDL's but I am getting silly figures in the thousands.
Is it not a case of finding the answers to these deflection formulas, adding them together and that is the resultant maximum deflection?

However, I have also read through my notes and found something about slopes etc and that has totally thrown me.

Can anyone offer any help?
Many thanks for any assistance.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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"(WI^3)/48EI to calculate the point load" has a typo in the bracket. I should be L. That will give you the deflection due to the point load.
If you use (5wI^4)/384EI - with L replacing I in the bracket, as before - you will have a slight underestimate of the deflection because the formula is for a udl across the whole of the beam. There is a formula for the case you have, but I suspect you are expected to do an integration exercise. Is that right?
 
Last edited:
pongo38 said:
"(WI^3)/48EI to calculate the point load" has a typo in the bracket. I should be L. That will give you the deflection due to the point load.
If you use (5wI^4)/384EI - with L replacing I in the bracket, as before - you will have a slight underestimate of the deflection because the formula is for a udl across the whole of the beam. There is a formula for the case you have, but I suspect you are expected to do an integration exercise. Is that right?

Hello, thanks for your response, you are correct about the type - bad eyes!

You are right about the integration although a formula would be nice, how would you advise dealing with the UDL situation?
I believe one method would be to assume it is over the length of the beam and then create a virtual UDL to cancel the areas that aren't under load (Macauleys method?)

Thanks again
 
The central deflection due to the udl sections is given in the Steel designers manual as Wa(3L^2-2a^2)/(96EI), where a=300 in this case, L=800, and you could use this to check your integration. You can use Macaulay if you like, but personally I find it unnecessarily tedious, error prone and academic. No practising engineer uses it. I do agree you find the deflection due the udl's, and the point load separately, and then add them together. That is the application of the principle of superposition for linear systems.
 

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