Calculating Elastic Curve for a given Section

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the elastic curve for specific sections of a beam in problems from a mechanics of materials context. Participants explore the implications of loading distributions and moments in different scenarios, particularly in problems 9.4, 9.6, and 9.7.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion regarding the inclusion of loading contributions in the calculation of moments for different sections in problems 9.6 and 9.7.
  • Another participant clarifies that the reactions of the beams in both problems account for all applied loads, suggesting that the loads are included in the moment equations even if not immediately apparent.
  • A later reply questions the interpretation of the moment equation in problem 9.7, pointing out that the loading distribution for segment BC does not appear to be included.
  • Participants discuss the nature of the distributed load in problem 9.4, with one explaining the calculation of the total force from a triangular load distribution.
  • There is a query about the meaning of F(x) in the context of the problems, with some uncertainty expressed about its definition.
  • Another participant suggests that the effects of load P in problem 9.6 can be replaced with an equivalent force and couple at point B, indicating that its effects are already accounted for in the deflection calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the problems, particularly regarding the inclusion of loads in moment calculations. There is no consensus on the perceived contradictions between the problems, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential misunderstandings regarding the application of loading distributions and the calculation of moments, indicating that assumptions about the loading conditions may vary.

member 392791

Homework Statement


Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Hello,

Comparing these two problems, 9.6 says to calculate the elastic curve for portion BC. However, in the solution they include the contribution from P which is not contained in portion BC in the representative cut to calculate the moment at X.

Yet, in the next problem 9.7 they ask to calculate the elastic curve for portion AB, and they don't include the loading distribution in the calculating of the moment at X for the representative cut.

This seems to be contradictory and now I am confused.

Also, for problem 9.4, I am not understanding why the loading of a right triangle is 1/2w(x/L)x and not 1/2wx. After all, for a straight loading the force on the representative cut is wx, not w(x/L)x
 

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For Prob. 9.4, the distributed load at point A is 0 and at point B is w0. The ordinate of the load at any point in between A and B is thus going to be x*(w0/L). When x = L, the ordinate of the load becomes just w0. The total force at a point x from point A is:

F = [itex]\int x* (w0 / L) dx[/itex] = (w0 / L) * (x^2) / 2

The total load on the entire beam is found by letting x = L in the expression above,

F [@ x = L] = (w0 / L) * L^2 / 2 = w0 * L / 2, which is also the area under the triangle.
 
So that's why the w0 is hovering above point B? I thought that w0 was just the load distribution
 
Woopydalan said:

The Attempt at a Solution


Hello,

Comparing these two problems, 9.6 says to calculate the elastic curve for portion BC. However, in the solution they include the contribution from P which is not contained in portion BC in the representative cut to calculate the moment at X.

Yet, in the next problem 9.7 they ask to calculate the elastic curve for portion AB, and they don't include the loading distribution in the calculating of the moment at X for the representative cut.

This seems to be contradictory and now I am confused.

I beg to differ with your interpretation of problems 9.6 and 9.7.

The calculation of the reactions of the beams in each of the problems does include all of the applied loads. All of the loads are present in the moment equation, which is then integrated twice to obtain the deflection equation. The loads may not appear to you that they have been included, but they have been.
 
SteamKing said:
I beg to differ with your interpretation of problems 9.6 and 9.7.

The calculation of the reactions of the beams in each of the problems does include all of the applied loads. All of the loads are present in the moment equation, which is then integrated twice to obtain the deflection equation. The loads may not appear to you that they have been included, but they have been.

Look at problem 9.7 moment equation for the representative cut,

ƩM = -wL^2/4 + wx(x/2) + M = 0

Nowhere do I see the load distribution in segment BC included. The wx(x/2) term is from the loading on segment AB, and the -wL^2/4 is from the calculation of the moment at the wall.

Now looking at problem 9.6

ƩM= wL/5(L + x/2) - 4/5wLx + wx(x/2) + M = 0

The wL/5 term is from the loading at the edge P
 
Also, does F(x) mean the equivalent concentrated load at x, or is it the total load at a given point? Meaning, a summation of the load from all points up to and including x
 
Woopydalan said:
Also, does F(x) mean the equivalent concentrated load at x, or is it the total load at a given point? Meaning, a summation of the load from all points up to and including x

It's not clear what you mean by F(x); I don't see that used in these problems. Is this question relating to another problem?
 
With regard to problem 9.6: the overhang to the left where load P is applied can be omitted entirely from the beam by replacing it with an equivalent force and couple located at point B. This has been done when the reaction at B was calculated. Since you are interested in the deflection between points B and C, you have no further need to worry about P because its effects on the beam have already been taken into account.

With regard to problem 9.7: the beam is essentially loaded by the couple produced by the two distributed loads of equal magnitude operating in the opposite direction. You have no reaction at point A except for the moment wL^2/4. Since you are interested only in the deflections between points A and B, you make a cut thru the beam at the arbitrary point J and make a free body diagram as shown in the solution. The moment M located at point J is supposed to account for the moments produced by all of the loads which are applied between point J and point C, in order to keep the segment A-J in static equilibrium.
 
SteamKing said:
For Prob. 9.4, the distributed load at point A is 0 and at point B is w0. The ordinate of the load at any point in between A and B is thus going to be x*(w0/L). When x = L, the ordinate of the load becomes just w0. The total force at a point x from point A is:

F = [itex]\int x* (w0 / L) dx[/itex] = (w0 / L) * (x^2) / 2

The total load on the entire beam is found by letting x = L in the expression above,

F [@ x = L] = (w0 / L) * L^2 / 2 = w0 * L / 2, which is also the area under the triangle.

I am referring to this
 
  • #10
That's what the equivalent point load is for the triangular load distribution which has the max. ordinate of w0 at
x = L.

Look at the free body diagrams for Prob. 9.4.
 

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