Double Integration method
• Deflection by double integration is also referred to as deflection by
the method of direct or constant integration.
• This method involves writing expression(s) for M for the beam in
terms of x and obtain the deflection of a beam by integrating the
differential equation of the elastic curve of a beam
twice and using boundary conditions (specific values of deflection
or slope that are known) and continuity conditions to determine
the constants of integration.
• The first integration yields the slope, and the second integration
gives the deflection.
• This method is best when there is a continuity in the applied
loading.
The Elastic Curve
• The curve that is formed by the plotting the position of the centroid
of the beam along the longitudinal axis is known as the elastic curve.
x and y are the coordinates shown in the Figure of the elastic curve of the
beam under load, y is the deflection of the beam at any distance x. E is the
modulus of elasticity of the beam, I
Differential equation of the elastic
Boundary conditions
Boundary Conditions…
Continuity conditions
• Occurs at points where the regions of integration meet, such as at point
C in the beam below.
• The deflection curve of this beam is physically continuous at point C,
and therefore the deflection at point C as determined for the left-hand
part of the beam must be equal to the deflection at point C as
determined for the right-hand part.
• Similarly, the slopes found for each part of the beam must be equal at
point C
Sign Conventions
Example 1
Solution
• Draw FBD for the given system
• Determine the Reaction Forces at A and C
Taking moment at C;
Write the moment equations for two sections i.e Section AB and
section BC
Apply boundary conditions
Continuity conditions
From the continuity condition;
Example 2
The cantilever beam shown in the figure below is subjected to a vertical
load P at its end. Use the double-integration method to determine:
(a) the equation of the elastic curve (b) the deflection and slope at A.
EI is constant.
From the free-body diagram, with M acting in the positive
direction as shown in figure,
we have M = -Px
• Using the boundary conditions
dy/dx = 0 at x = L ; and
y = 0 at x = L,
Eq. (2) and Eq. (3) becomes;
Exercise
For the beam and loading shown below, use the double –integration
method to determine
(a) the equation of the elastic curve for the beam
(b) the maximum deflection
(c) the slope at A
Assume EI is constant for the beam
Exercise 1
Determine the equations for slope and deflection of the beam shown below
by the direct integration method. EI is constant.
Exercise 2
By using direct integration method, determine;
(a) The equations for slope and deflection of the beam
(b) Slope and deflection at point B. EI is constant.
Exercise 3
A cantilever beam is subjected to a combination of loading, as shown in
Figure below. Using the method of double integration, determine the slope
and the deflection at the free end.
Exercise 4
Determine the position and magnitude of the maximum deflection of the
simply supported beam in terms of its flexural rigidity EI.
Exercise 5
A uniform beam is simply supported over a span of 6 m. It carries a trapezoidal
distributed load with intensity varying from 30kN/m at the left-hand support to
90kN/m at the right-hand support. Considering The second moment of area of
the cross section of the beam is 120× 106 𝑚𝑚4 and Young’s modulus
E=206,000N/𝑚𝑚2 and using direct integration method:
• Find the equation of the deflection curve
• Find the deflection at the mid-span point
• Question for Assignment is Q3, Q4 and Q5
