Beam Deflection - UDL's and Point Loads

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating beam deflection under uniform distributed loads (UDLs) and point loads, focusing on a specific homework problem involving an aluminum beam. Participants explore various equations and methods for determining deflection, including integration and the principle of superposition.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their struggle with calculating deflection and presents their initial calculations for the beam's moment of inertia (I) and modulus of elasticity (E).
  • Another participant points out a typo in the deflection formula, suggesting that the variable should be L instead of W for calculating deflection due to a point load.
  • A participant mentions that using the formula for UDL may lead to an underestimate of deflection and hints at the need for integration to solve the problem accurately.
  • One participant proposes using a virtual UDL to account for areas not under load, referencing Macauley's method as a potential approach.
  • Another participant provides a specific formula for central deflection due to UDLs from a Steel designers manual and expresses a preference against using Macauley's method, citing it as tedious and error-prone.
  • There is agreement that deflections due to UDLs and point loads should be calculated separately and then combined using the principle of superposition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach of calculating deflections separately and combining them, but there are differing opinions on the methods to use, particularly regarding the application of integration and the use of Macauley's method.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the correct application of formulas and the integration process, indicating that assumptions about load distribution and the specific conditions of the beam may affect the calculations.

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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