Maximum deflection / slope of beam

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the maximum deflection and slope of a beam under load, specifically focusing on the calculations involved in determining these values for a cantilever beam. Participants are addressing a homework problem that requires applying beam theory and differential equations to find deflection and slope at various points along the beam.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants present their equations for deflection and slope, suggesting that EI(d2y/dx2) = -Px and EI(dy/dx) = -P(x^2)/2 + c1, leading to EIy = -P(x^3)/6 + c1x + c2.
  • There is a claim that the maximum deflection occurs at L=3, with calculations yielding EIy max = -45, while another participant states the expected answer is -46.67, prompting questions about the correctness of the calculations.
  • Some participants argue about the correct interpretation of the problem, indicating that the deflection at x=0 and the slope are not zero when the load is applied at the free end.
  • One participant suggests that the deflection at the free end should be calculated after determining the slope at the load point, emphasizing that the last portion of the beam does not bend under load.
  • There are multiple exchanges about the correct values of x and L, with confusion about the reference points for calculations and the implications of choosing x=0 at different locations along the beam.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about whether they can directly calculate EIymax at L=3 using the equation for maximum deflection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct approach to the problem, with multiple competing views on how to interpret the loading conditions and calculate deflections. Disagreements persist regarding the reference points for x and the implications for the deflection calculations.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of x and L, as well as the conditions under which the beam is analyzed. Participants are also navigating the implications of boundary conditions and the nature of deflection in different sections of the beam.

fonseh
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Homework Statement


As in the diagram

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


For part a ) , my ans is EI(d2y/dx2) = - Px

For part b) , my ans is EI(dy/dx) = -P(x^2)/2 +c1 EIy = -P(x^3)/6 +c1x +c2

at x= 0 , y = 0 , so c2 = 0 , at x = 0 , dy/dx = 0 , so c1 = 0 ,

so , EIy = -P(x^3)/6 , so , EIy max occur at L=3 , so EIy max = -10(3^3) / 6 = -45 , but the ans is EIy max =-46.67 , which part of my working is wrong ??

for slope at x = 2 , my ans is EI(dy/dx) = -P(x^2)/2 = EI(dy/dx) = -10(2^2)/2 = -40/EI
 

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fonseh said:

Homework Statement


As in the diagram

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


For part a ) , my ans is EI(d2y/dx2) = - Px
This is the moment
For part b) , my ans is EI(dy/dx) = -P(x^2)/2 +c1 EIy = -P(x^3)/6 +c1x +c2

at x= 0 , y = 0 , so c2 = 0 , at x = 0 , dy/dx = 0 , so c1 = 0 ,

so , EIy = -P(x^3)/6 , so , EIy max occur at L=3 , so EIy max = -10(3^3) / 6 = -45 , but the ans is EIy max =-46.67 , which part of my working is wrong ??

for slope at x = 2 , my ans is EI(dy/dx) = -P(x^2)/2 = EI(dy/dx) = -10(2^2)/2 = -40/EI
you are not reading the question correctly for one thing. But also, x is zero at the free end of the cantilever, such that y is not zero and the slope is not zero when x=0. They are zero when x = ?.
 
PhanthomJay said:
This is the moment
is there anything wrong with my moment ? In this question , i am taking the right end as x =0 ,
PhanthomJay said:
But also, x is zero at the free end of the cantilever, such that y is not zero and the slope is not zero when x=0. They are zero when x = ?.
they are zero when x =L
 
EI(d2y/dx2) = - Px

EI(dy/dx) = -P(x^2)/2 +c1 , EIy = -P(x^3)/6 +c1x +c2

at x = L , dy/dx = 0 , so c1 = P(L^2)/2 ,
at x= L , y=0 , c2 = (-1/3)(P)(L^3) ,

at 2m from A = 1m from B
So , EIy = -10(1^3)/3 +10(1^2)/2 -(1/3)(10)(3^3) = -86.67

Here's after making correction , but i still didnt get the ans though
 
fonseh said:
EI(d2y/dx2) = - Px

EI(dy/dx) = -P(x^2)/2 +c1 , EIy = -P(x^3)/6 +c1x +c2

at x = L , dy/dx = 0 , so c1 = P(L^2)/2 ,
at x= L , y=0 , c2 = (-1/3)(P)(L^3) ,

at 2m from A = 1m from B
So , EIy = -10(1^3)/3 +10(1^2)/2 -(1/3)(10)(3^3) = -86.67

Here's after making correction , but i still didnt get the ans though
Your equations for slope and deflection (part a) look good, but what you have done (I didn't check your math) is to solve for the deflection at 1 m from the free end of the beam when the load is applied at the free end. That is not what the problem is asking in part b, it wants to solve for the deflection at the free end when the load is applied at 1 m from the free end. So you first must calculate the deflection at the load point using x=0 at that point and L = 2 m. Then the 1 m portion of the beam from the free end to the load just goes along for the ride without bending since there is no load on it. The deflection at the free end can then be found by knowing the slope of the curve at the load point.
 
PhanthomJay said:
Your equations for slope and deflection (part a) look good, but what you have done (I didn't check your math) is to solve for the deflection at 1 m from the free end of the beam when the load is applied at the free end. That is not what the problem is asking in part b, it wants to solve for the deflection at the free end when the load is applied at 1 m from the free end. So you first must calculate the deflection at the load point using x=0 at that point and L = 2 m. Then the 1 m portion of the beam from the free end to the load just goes along for the ride without bending since there is no load on it. The deflection at the free end can then be found by knowing the slope of the curve at the load point.
well , by using x = 0 , L = 2 , i ended up getting EIy = -0-(1/3)(10)(2^3) = -26.67 , which is still not -46.67 , did i miss out anything ?
 
PhanthomJay said:
Your equations for slope and deflection (part a) look good, but what you have done (I didn't check your math) is to solve for the deflection at 1 m from the free end of the beam when the load is applied at the free end. That is not what the problem is asking in part b, it wants to solve for the deflection at the free end when the load is applied at 1 m from the free end. So you first must calculate the deflection at the load point using x=0 at that point and L = 2 m. Then the 1 m portion of the beam from the free end to the load just goes along for the ride without bending since there is no load on it. The deflection at the free end can then be found by knowing the slope of the curve at the load point.
Can you show the shape of deflection of graph ? i have no idea
 
PhanthomJay said:
Your equations for slope and deflection (part a) look good, but what you have done (I didn't check your math) is to solve for the deflection at 1 m from the free end of the beam when the load is applied at the free end. That is not what the problem is asking in part b, it wants to solve for the deflection at the free end when the load is applied at 1 m from the free end. So you first must calculate the deflection at the load point using x=0 at that point and L = 2 m. Then the 1 m portion of the beam from the free end to the load just goes along for the ride without bending since there is no load on it. The deflection at the free end can then be found by knowing the slope of the curve at the load point.
do you mean find the y by using x = 0 and y = 2 first , then find the area under the graph of dy/dx from x = 0 to x = 1 from the right end ?
 
  • #10
fonseh said:
do you mean find the y by using x = 0 and y = 2 first , then find the area under the graph of dy/dx from x = 0 to x = 1 from the right end ?
Best to find the slope (dy/dx) at the point of application of the load at x=0, then since the shape of the curve from that point to the free end is a straight line (no bending in that region), use basic trig to get the additional deflection to the free end.
 
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  • #11
PhanthomJay said:
Best to find the slope (dy/dx) at the point of application of the load at x=0, then since the shape of the curve from that point to the free end is a straight line (no bending in that region), use basic trig to get the additional deflection to the free end.
why can't I just use x = 0 , L = 2 , i ended up getting EIy = -0-(1/3)(10)(2^3) = -26.67 to get the max deflection ?
 
  • #12
fonseh said:
why can't I just use x = 0 , L = 2 , i ended up getting EIy = -0-(1/3)(10)(2^3) = -26.67 to get the max deflection ?
that is not the max deflection, that is the deflection at 1 m from the right end. The max deflection occurs at the right end. Solve for the slope of the curve at x= 0 !
 
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  • #13
x=
PhanthomJay said:
that is not the max deflection, that is the deflection at 1 m from the right end. The max deflection occurs at the right end. Solve for the slope of the curve at x= 0 !
x = 0 , L = 2 already means the deflection of the beam at x = 0 when the load is applied at 2m from A, right ?
 
  • #14
fonseh said:
x=

x = 0 , L = 2 already means the deflection of the beam at x = 0 when the load is applied at 2m from A, right ?
Remember we have chosen x=0 to be 2 m from the left end. We want the deflection at 3 m from the left end. Again, solve for dy/dx at x=0 using your equation.
 
  • #15
is it possible to
PhanthomJay said:
Remember we have chosen x=0 to be 2 m from the left end. We want the deflection at 3 m from the left end. Again, solve for dy/dx at x=0 using your equation.
find EIymax directly at L = 3 using equation of EIymax only ?
 
  • #16
PhanthomJay said:
Remember we have chosen x=0 to be 2 m from the left end.
Huh ?? x = 0 is located at the free end...
 
  • #17
deflected curve.jpg
fonseh said:
Huh ?? x = 0 is located at the free end...
No, we chose x = 0 at the load point and L = 2 because the last 1 m of the beam is stress free and it does not deflect the same way , it just goes along for the ride with a straight line deflection, not a curved cubic deflection. Please solve for dy/dx at x = 0 and what do you get? See attached.
 
  • #18
PhanthomJay said:
View attachment 109695 No, we chose x = 0 at the load point and L = 2 because the last 1 m of the beam is stress free and it does not deflect the same way , it just goes along for the ride with a straight line deflection, not a curved cubic deflection. Please solve for dy/dx at x = 0 and what do you get? See attached.
do you mean if th eload is applied at the stress free end , then , we can detremine the max deflection at the stress free end directly by x = 0 , L= 3 , without involving the dy/dx equation multiply with the length ?
 

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