Does max deflection occur at max bending moment?

AI Thread Summary
Maximum deflection does not always occur at the same location as the maximum bending moment in structural analysis. For example, in a cantilever beam with a load at the free end, the maximum bending moment occurs at the fixed end, while maximum deflection occurs at the free end. Similarly, in a simply supported beam with a triangular distributed load, the locations of maximum bending moment and maximum deflection can differ, especially if the load is not symmetrically applied. The relationship between bending moment and deflection is governed by the second derivative, indicating that peak deflection can occur where the moment is not at its maximum. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurate structural analysis.
ride5150
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i thought the maximum deflection of a structure (a beam for example) occurred at the same location of the maximum bending moment. But, doing some homework I am getting contradicting results.

does max deflection ALWAYS occur at the same location of the max bending moment?

thanks for the responses in advance


PS here's some more details if you need them:

using the 4th derivative method for finding deflection/ slope, i found the second derivative (which should be the moment) and found where it is maximum (using a graphing calculator). the question uses variables instead of number, but that shouldn't matter. later on in the solution to the problem, it says that the maximum deflection is at a different place than i calculated for the max bending moment.

?

this makes absolutely no sense to me, unless:

i made a mathematical mistake (unlikely, i checked my work repeatedly)
the location of the max BM is not the same as the location of the max deflection.

ill type up my work if its necessary
 
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Yes...
 
The max deflection does not always occur at the max bending moment. Take a simple cantilever for example, with a load at the free end. The max moment occurs at the fixed end, but the max deflection occurs at the free end where M = 0.
 
PhanthomJay said:
The max deflection does not always occur at the max bending moment. Take a simple cantilever for example, with a load at the free end. The max moment occurs at the fixed end, but the max deflection occurs at the free end where M = 0.

thank you that makes sense.

but how about a simply supported beam? as in, a hinge at one end, a roller at the other, and a triangular uniform distributed load on top. so the location of maximum bending moment wouldn't be equal to the location of maximum deflection?

i think if the load isn't symmetrically directed at the center of the structure, the locations aren't the same.
 
ride5150 said:
thank you that makes sense.

but how about a simply supported beam? as in, a hinge at one end, a roller at the other, and a triangular uniform distributed load on top. so the location of maximum bending moment wouldn't be equal to the location of maximum deflection?

i think if the load isn't symmetrically directed at the center of the structure, the locations aren't the same.
That is correct.
 
PhanthomJay said:
That is correct.

Thank you!
 
Keep in mind that the deflection is the second derivative of the bending moment (for simple beam theory). This means that the bending moment need not be maximum for maximum deflection.
 
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