# Beam deflection

1. Jul 2, 2016

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
determine deflection of beam

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
at x=0, y=0 , i found that C2 = LP(a^2)/6 (circled part) but the author gt 0, which is correct?

2. Jul 2, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
The author is correct.

$EIy = -\frac{b}{6a}Px^3 + \frac{L}{6a}P<x-a>^3+C_1x+C_2$

When x = 0, y = 0, and the expression <x-a> = 0, due to the definition of the singularity function <x-a>, and C2 = 0 as described in the text.

3. Jul 2, 2016

why <x-a> = 0 ?

4. Jul 2, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
The way a singularity function is defined:

<x-a> = 0, if x - a < 0
<x-a> = 1, if x - a > 0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singularity_function

You should check your text for the precise definition.

5. Jul 2, 2016

my notes doesnt hv explaination on this

6. Jul 2, 2016

since x - a > 0, so <x-a> = 1 , am i right ? why the author take <x-a> = 0 ?

7. Jul 2, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
When x = 0, <0 - a> = -a; -a < 0; <0-a> = 0, according to the definition of the singularity function

8. Jul 2, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
What about your textbook? Do you have a textbook for this course? What does it say?

9. Jul 2, 2016

ok , i have another part of question here . in the working , the maximum deflection occur at x= (1/sqrt rt 3) ,
why the author ignore the LP[(x-a)^3]/ (6a) at x = (1/sqrt rt 3) ?
by ignoring the at LP[(x-a)^3]/ (6a) at x= (1/sqrt rt 3) , the author assume x-a <0 ????
but , the value of a is unknown , how to know that x-a<0 ?

Last edited: Jul 2, 2016
10. Jul 2, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
I think the author is clumsily trying to say that the singularity function <x-a> = 0 where the deflection is at a maximum. Instead of saying "do not exist", it would probably be better to say that "<x-a> vanishes" at that location.

Anyhow, once that fact is recognized, then the location x of the maximum deflection can be solved for as illustrated.

11. Jul 2, 2016

how could that be ? the value of a is unknown

12. Jul 2, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
No, it isn't. a is the distance between R1 and R2. Look at the beam diagram.

13. Jul 2, 2016

if it' so , x > a , so x-a > 0 , so <x-a> should be =1 , right ?

14. Jul 2, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
It's not a which is unknown, it is the value of x at which the deflection is a maximum.

15. Jul 2, 2016

why <x-a> = 0 when deflection is at a maximum ??

16. Jul 2, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
Specifically, the problem is looking for the location of the maximum deflection between the supports.

The quantity <x-a> is going to be zero because x is located between between the supports and x = a is the location of the right support. That's just the definition of the singularity function in this case. It helps to check the beam diagram for this problem.

17. Jul 2, 2016

x is located between supports ? but , in the diagram , x span from R1 and beyond R2 ?
What do you mean ?

18. Jul 2, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
x is the length coordinate of the beam with origin at the left support, i.e. x = 0 there.

Sure, x can be used to locate stuff along the entire length of the beam (even beyond the location of the right support), but this particular question asks the student to find the location of maximum deflection between the supports, i.e. find max. δ(x) such that 0 ≤ x ≤ a. Again, refer to the diagram.

19. Jul 12, 2016

Can you explain what is the purpose of having singularity function in beam problem?

20. Jul 12, 2016

### SteamKing

Staff Emeritus
Their use can simplify the deflection calculations, especially when the double integration method is used to calculate deflections.