A simple beam AB of a length L supports a uniform load of an intensity q (Fig. 9-33). (a) Evaluate the strain energy of the beam from the bending moment in the beam. (b) Evaluate the strain energy of the beam from the equation of the deflection curve. Note: The beam has constant flexural rigidity EI.
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Part (a): Strain energy from the bending moment.
1, 2. Conceptualize, Categorize: The reaction of the beam at support A is qL/2, so the expression for the bending moment in the beam is M=2qLx−2qx2=2q(Lx−x2)(a)
3. Analyze: The strain energy of the beam [from Eq. (9-95a)] is
U=∫2EIM2dxU=∫2EI⎩⎪⎪⎪⎪⎪⎧dx2d2ν⎭⎪⎪⎪⎪⎪⎫2dx(9−95a,b) U=∫0L2EIM2dx=2EI1∫0L[2q(Lx−x2)]2dx=8EIq2∫0L(L2x2−2Lx2+x4)dx(b)
which leads to U=240EIq2L5(9-98)
Note that the load q appears to the second power, which is consistent with the fact that strain energy is always positive. Furthermore, Eq. (9-98) shows that strain energy is not a linear function of the loads, even though the beam itself behaves in a linearly elastic manner.
Part (b): Strain energy from the deflection curve.
1, 2. Conceptualize, Categorize: The equation of the deflection curve for a simple beam with a uniform load is given in Case 1 of Table H-2, Appendix H, as ν=−24EIqx(L3−2Lx2+x3)(c)
3. Analyze: Taking two derivatives of this equation gives dxdν=−24EIq(L3−6Lx2+4x3)dx2d2ν=2EIq(Lx−x2)
Substitute the latter expression into the equation for strain energy [Eq. (9-95b)] to obtain U=∫0L2EI⎩⎪⎪⎪⎪⎪⎧dx2d2ν⎭⎪⎪⎪⎪⎪⎫2dx=2EI∫0L[2EIq(Lx−x2)]2dx =8EIq2∫0L(L2x2−2Lx3+x4)dx(d)
4. Finalize: The final integral in this equation is the same as the final integral in Eq. (b) which leads to the same result as before [Eq. (9-98)].
Table H-2
Deflections and Slopes of Simple Beams
Notation:
v = deflection in the y direction (positive upward)
v’ = dv/dx = slope of the deflection curve δC=−v(L/2) = deflection at end B of the beam (positive downward) x1 = distance from support A to point of maximum deflection δmax=−vmax = maximum deflection (positive downward) θA=−v′(0) = angle of rotation at left-hand end of the beam (positive clockwise) θB=v′(L) = angle of rotation at right-hand end of the beam (positive counterclockwise)
EI = constant