Beam Deflection - UDL's and Point Loads

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating beam deflection under uniform distributed loads (UDLs) and point loads. The user struggles with applying the correct formulas, initially misidentifying variables in their calculations. Key formulas mentioned include (WL^3)/48EI for point loads and (5wL^4)/384EI for UDLs, with corrections noted for proper variable usage. Integration methods are suggested for more complex load scenarios, and the principle of superposition is emphasized for combining deflections from different loads. The conversation highlights the importance of accurate calculations and the use of established engineering formulas for beam deflection analysis.
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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.
 
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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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