Double point load beam deflection
Double point load beam deflection
(OP)
Hi everyone,
Sorry if this has been answered before, search didn't turn up any results.
Anyway, taken some time during this Christmas break to study up on some structural mechanics and make sure I haven't forgotten everything. I've been having a look at the deflection of a simply supported beam with two equal, unevenly spaced point loads.
I can't seem to find a formula for that exact condition so I have used the formula for a single point load and then applied superposition to find the resultant deflection.
The formula I am using is P*L^3*Alpha/48*E*I where Alpha= 3*b/L - 4b^3/L^3 when a>b
The problem that I am facing is that I've had a look at a colleagues work as an example and they have not used superposition, they have simply found the Alpha for each of the point loads then applied it with in the one formula, as below.
(Alpha1*P1 + Alpha2*P2)*L^3/48*E*I
I am trying to work out if I've gone insane and am forgetting something basic or if my colleague has made a mistake.
Thanks in advance
Sorry if this has been answered before, search didn't turn up any results.
Anyway, taken some time during this Christmas break to study up on some structural mechanics and make sure I haven't forgotten everything. I've been having a look at the deflection of a simply supported beam with two equal, unevenly spaced point loads.
I can't seem to find a formula for that exact condition so I have used the formula for a single point load and then applied superposition to find the resultant deflection.
The formula I am using is P*L^3*Alpha/48*E*I where Alpha= 3*b/L - 4b^3/L^3 when a>b
The problem that I am facing is that I've had a look at a colleagues work as an example and they have not used superposition, they have simply found the Alpha for each of the point loads then applied it with in the one formula, as below.
(Alpha1*P1 + Alpha2*P2)*L^3/48*E*I
I am trying to work out if I've gone insane and am forgetting something basic or if my colleague has made a mistake.
Thanks in advance
RE: Double point load beam deflection
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Double point load beam deflection
RE: Double point load beam deflection
If being conservative is ok, then it's ok.
If being "right" is needed (or to appreciate the degree of conservatism), then plot out the displaced shape for both loads. Your equation is for max deflection, calculating the expression for deflection as a function of x isn't hard (for a SS beam with a single point load, double differentiation of the momnet, and once you've done it you have the expression for future work as well).
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
RE: Double point load beam deflection
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
RE: Double point load beam deflection
The conjugate beam has the same span as the actual beam and is loaded with the M/EI diagram of the actual beam. The conjugate beam shear at any point is the actual beam slope at that point. The conjugate beam moment at any point is the actual beam deflection at that point.
BA
RE: Double point load beam deflection
RE: Double point load beam deflection
@KootK - You are absolutely correct, both options are equivalent.
@BAretired - Thanks for the hint about the Conjugate Beam Method. Works a treat.
RE: Double point load beam deflection
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Double point load beam deflection
well yes, the two approaches in the OP are equivalent, but also incorrect. It seems to me that you're superimposing maximum deflection from the two loads which is IMHO incorrect (as max deflection occurs at different places on the beam for the two loads). I suspect that the conjugate beam analysis solves this (and should give a different answer to the original approach), as would calculating the deflected shape for the two loads and superimposing these.
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
RE: Double point load beam deflection
Archie264 referred to the AISC Steel Book condition 9, Table 3-23 which I do not have; however I do have the CISC Handbook of Steel Construction and note that Example 11 of "Beam Diagrams and Formulas" is for 2 unequal concentrated loads unsymmetrically placed. The CISC reference provides shears and moments but not deflections for this case.
What formula does the AISC Book provide for deflection?
BA
RE: Double point load beam deflection
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RE: Double point load beam deflection
RE: Double point load beam deflection
Case 1: Two equal loads, symmetrically placed at the distance closest to beam ends. Actual deflection is greater than the calculated value.
Case 2: Two equal loads, symmetrically placed at the distance closest to the beam center. Actual deflection is less than the calculated value.
For extreme cases, say distance "x" is near the beam center and distance "y" is near the beam end, engineering judgement can help give a tighter band than the calcs alone.
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www.VacuumTubeEra.net
RE: Double point load beam deflection
1) won't conjugate beam do this properly ?
2) you can superimpose the deflected shapes of the beam under the different loads, and it ain't that hard to calc.
3) if you can live with the conservatism of superimposing the maximum deflection from each load then ok.
4) if the loads are reasonably uniform, how inaccurate is a UDL ?
another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?
RE: Double point load beam deflection
2) Again, you can but not easily by hand
3) Most of the time, this is acceptable, I rarely try to push the limits on deflection anyway.
4) We haven't been provided with enough info to know, that would be drastically dependent on span and load locations.
RE: Double point load beam deflection
If the magnitude and location of loads P1 and P2 are not known, the location and magnitude of maximum deflection cannot be simply expressed. This is probably why the steel handbooks do not include an expression for deflection for this case.
BA
RE: Double point load beam deflection
Conjugatebeam.xlsb
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: Double point load beam deflection
RE: Double point load beam deflection
BA
RE: Double point load beam deflection
The Conjugate Beam Method
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/