Problem

Determine the maximum deflection for the beam shown using the Double Integration Method.

Solution:
Step 1: Determine the change of load points and label them accordingly.
Note: In the figure, there are four change of load points: the two ends, where there are reactions;
the point 3 m from the left end, where the 60 kN concentrated load is applied and the 20 kN/m
uniformly distributed load commences, and at the point 9 m from the left end, where the 20 kN/m
uniformly distributed load terminates.
Label them as A, B, C and D, from the left.

Step 2: Determine the reactions

M  0
60 kN
3 m  20
R   75.00 kN

kN
1

6 m 3 m 
6 m   R 
3 m  6 m  3 m  0
m
2

F  0

kN

6 m  0
m
kN

6 m  0
R   75.00 kN  60 kN  20
m
R   105.00 kN
R   R   60 kN  20

Note: This step is crucial.

Step 3: Pass a cutting plane line in between the last two change of load points.
The distance from this line to the left end of the beam is designated as x.

Step 3.a: Add an imaginary 20 kN/m uniformly distributed load from points C to D upward
and downward.
Note: If the moment equation is directly written from the given loading, the following would be the
result:
From A to B:
  

From B to C:
  
  60 
  3 !  20
From C to D:
  
  60 
  3 !  20


1

  3 ! 
  3 ! 
!
2

1

6 !   3 ! 
6 ! 
!
2

Note: The last terms of the Moment Equations from B to C and from C to D are not at all similar in
form. The objective of writing the Moment Equation is to have one expression that is applicable to
the entire span. This can be resolved by adding an imaginary 20 kN/m uniformly distributed load
from points C to D upward and downward. Note that the sum of these loads is zero; it does not add
to, subtract from, or change the structural system in anyway.
Step 4: Write the moment equation from the cutting plane line, clockwise positive.
kN
1

x  3 m 
x  3 m 
m
2
kN
1

x  3 m  6 m 
x  3 m  6 m 
 20
m
2
kN
1

x  3 m 
x  3 m 
M  75.00 kN
x  60 kN
x  3 m  20
m
2
kN
1

x  3 m  6 m 
x  3 m  6 m 
 20
m
2
M  75
x  60
x  3  10
x  3 #  10
  9 #

Note: The units are omitted. It is understood that all units are in kN and m.
M  R 
x  60 kN
x  3 m  20

Step 5: Change the parentheses () into pointed brackets <>

Note: When the contents of the pointed brackets is zero or negative, the value of the term within the
pointed brackets is taken to be zero.
M  75x  60x  3  10x  3#  10  9#

Step 6: Equate the moment equation to '()"
EIy"  M
EIy"  75x  60x  3  10x  3#  10  9#

Step 7: Integrate once to get the Slope Equation in terms of '() .
1
1
1
1
EIy .  75 x#  60 x  3#  10 x  30  10 x  90
2
2
3
3
75 #
10
10
.
#
0
0
x  30x  3  x  3  x  9  C2
EIy 
2
3
3

Note: Do not forget that integrating adds a constant of integration.
Step 8: Integrate again to get the Deflection Equation in terms of '()
75 1 0
1
10 1
10 1
x  30 x  30 
x  34 
x  94  C2 x  C#
2 3
3
3 4
3 4
25 0
5
5
x  10x  30  x  34  x  94  C2 x  C#
EIy 
2
6
6

Note: Do not forget that integrating again adds another constant of integration.
EIy 

Step 9: Use two boundary conditions to determine the constants of integration 56 and 57
Note: The first boundary condition is 8  0 when   0. This is because at the left support, the beam
cannot deflect. Substitute this condition to the Deflection Equation in terms of 9:8.
EI
0 

25 0
5
5
0  100  30  0  34  0  94  C2
0  C#
2
6
6

C#  0

Note: The second boundary condition is 8  0 when   ;. This is because at the right support, the
beam cannot deflect. Substitute this condition to the Deflection Equation in terms of 9:8. Substitute
the value of <# also.
25
5
5
120  1012  30  12  34  12  94  C2
12  0
2
6
6
10935 135
0  21600  7290 

 C2
12  0
2
2
1485
C2  

2

EI
0 

Step 10: Determine where the maximum deflection is by setting ) .  > and solve for ?
Note: This is from the principle of maxima-minima from Differential Calculus. The maximum
deflection is not always at the midspan, but is usually very near the midspan.
75 #
10
10
1485
x  30x  3#  x  30  x  90 

2
3
3
2
10
10
1485
75 #
x  30x  3# 
x  30  x  90 

0
3
3
2
2

Note: Assume that x is less than or equal to ;/2 to eliminate the second to the last term.

EIy . 

0

75 #
10
1485
x  30x  3# 
x  30 

2
3
2

Note: Use CASIO fx-991ESs SOLVE function, with 6 as the initial assumption.

x  4.78

Note: Therefore, the earlier assumption is correct.

Step 11: Substitute the value of ? to the Deflection Equation in terms of '() to determine the
maximum deflection.
25 0
5
5
1485
x  10x  30  x  34  x  94 
x  0
2
6
6
2
5
5
1485
25
4.780  104.78  30  4.78  34  4.78  94 

4.78
EIy 
6
6
2
2
25
5
1485
4.780  104.78  30  4.78  34 

4.78
EIy 
2
6
2
EIy  2248.72
77XY. Z7
)

'(

Note: The negative sign denotes that the deflection is downwards.
EIy 

Note: The solution may be checked by substituting slightly lower or higher values for x. If these
values yield lower deflections, the answer is correct.

Problem
Determine the maximum deflection for the beam shown using the Double Integration Method.

Solution:
Step 1: Determine the change of load points and label them accordingly.
Note: In the figure, there are four change of load points: the two ends, where there are reactions;
the point 2 m from the left end, where the 15 kN/m uniformly varying load commences, and at the
point 7 m from the left end, where the 15 kN/m uniformly varying load terminates.
Label them as A, B, C and D, from the left.

Step 2: Determine the reactions

M  0

1
kN
2
[15 \
5 m 2 m 
5 m   R 
2 m  5 m  3 m  0
2
m
3
R   20.00 kN

F  0

1
kN
R   R   [15 \
5 m  0
2
m
1
kN
R   20.00 kN  [15 \
5 m  0
2
m
R   17.50 kN
Note: This step is crucial.

Step 3: Pass a cutting plane line in between the last two change of load points.
The distance from this line to the left end of the beam is designated as x.

Step 3.a: Add an imaginary uniformly varying load from points C to D upward and downward.
Note: If the moment equation is directly written from the given loading, the following would be the
result:
From A to B:
  

From B to C:

1

1
  
  [15 \
  2 ! 
  2 ! 
2
!
2
From C to D:
  
  60 
  3 !  20


1

6 !   3 ! 
6 ! 
!
2

Note: The last terms of the Moment Equations from B to C and from C to D are not at all similar in
form. The objective of writing the Moment Equation is to have one expression that is applicable to
the entire span. This can be resolved by adding an imaginary 20 kN/m uniformly distributed load
from points C to D upward and downward. Note that the sum of these loads is zero; it does not add
to, subtract from, or change the structural system in anyway.
Step 4: Write the moment equation from the cutting plane line, clockwise positive.
kN
1

x  3 m 
x  3 m 
m
2
kN
1

x  3 m  6 m 
x  3 m  6 m 
 20
m
2
kN
1

x  3 m 
x  3 m 
M  75.00 kN
x  60 kN
x  3 m  20
m
2
kN
1

x  3 m  6 m 
x  3 m  6 m 
 20
m
2
M  75
x  60
x  3  10
x  3 #  10
  9 #

Note: The units are omitted. It is understood that all units are in kN and m.
M  R 
x  60 kN
x  3 m  20

Step 5: Change the parentheses () into pointed brackets <>

Note: When the contents of the pointed brackets is zero or negative, the value of the term within the
pointed brackets is taken to be zero.
M  75x  60x  3  10x  3#  10  9#

Step 6: Equate the moment equation to '()"
EIy"  M
EIy"  75x  60x  3  10x  3#  10  9#

Step 7: Integrate once to get the Slope Equation in terms of '() .
1
1
1
1
EIy .  75 x#  60 x  3#  10 x  30  10 x  90
2
2
3
3
75 #
10
10
.
#
0
0
x  30x  3  x  3  x  9  C2
EIy 
2
3
3

Note: Do not forget that integrating adds a constant of integration.
Step 8: Integrate again to get the Deflection Equation in terms of '()
75 1 0
1
10 1
10 1
x  30 x  30 
x  34 
x  94  C2 x  C#
2 3
3
3 4
3 4
25 0
5
5
x  10x  30  x  34  x  94  C2 x  C#
EIy 
2
6
6

Note: Do not forget that integrating again adds another constant of integration.
EIy 

Step 9: Use two boundary conditions to determine the constants of integration 56 and 57
Note: The first boundary condition is 8  0 when   0. This is because at the left support, the beam
cannot deflect. Substitute this condition to the Deflection Equation in terms of 9:8.
EI
0 

25 0
5
5
0  100  30  0  34  0  94  C2
0  C#
2
6
6

C#  0

Note: The second boundary condition is 8  0 when   ;. This is because at the right support, the
beam cannot deflect. Substitute this condition to the Deflection Equation in terms of 9:8. Substitute
the value of <# also.
25
5
5
120  1012  30  12  34  12  94  C2
12  0
2
6
6
10935 135
0  21600  7290 

 C2
12  0
2
2
1485
C2  

2

EI
0 

Step 10: Determine where the maximum deflection is by setting ) .  > and solve for ?
Note: This is from the principle of maxima-minima from Differential Calculus. The maximum
deflection is not always at the midspan, but is usually very near the midspan.
75 #
10
10
1485
x  30x  3#  x  30  x  90 

2
3
3
2
10
10
1485
75 #
x  30x  3# 
x  30  x  90 

0
3
3
2
2

Note: Assume that x is less than or equal to ;/2 to eliminate the second to the last term.

EIy . 

0

75 #
10
1485
x  30x  3# 
x  30 

2
3
2

Note: Use CASIO fx-991ESs SOLVE function, with 6 as the initial assumption.

x  4.78

Note: Therefore, the earlier assumption is correct.

Step 11: Substitute the value of ? to the Deflection Equation in terms of '() to determine the
maximum deflection.
25 0
5
5
1485
x  10x  30  x  34  x  94 
x  0
2
6
6
2
5
5
1485
25
4.780  104.78  30  4.78  34  4.78  94 

4.78
EIy 
6
6
2
2
25
5
1485
4.780  104.78  30  4.78  34 

4.78
EIy 
2
6
2
EIy  2248.72
77XY. Z7
)

'(

Note: The negative sign denotes that the deflection is downwards.
EIy 

Note: The solution may be checked by substituting slightly lower or higher values for x. If these
values yield lower deflections, the answer is correct.

Problem
Determine the maximum deflection for the beam shown using the Double Integration Method.

Solution:
Step 1: Determine the change of load points and label them accordingly.
Note: In the figure, there are only two change of load points: the two ends, because the uniformly
distributed load is applied all throughout the beam span.
Label them as A and B from the left.

Step 2: Determine the reactions

F]  0

w
L
2
wL
R  R^ 
2
R  R^ 

Note: This step is crucial.

Step 3: Pass a cutting plane line in between the last two change of load points.
The distance from this line to the left end of the beam is designated as x.

Step 4: Write the moment equation from the cutting plane line, clockwise positive.
1
M  R 
x  w
x 
x 
2
wL
w #

x 
x
M
2
2

Step 5: Change the parentheses () into pointed brackets <>
Note: When the contents of the pointed brackets is zero or negative, the value of the term within the
pointed brackets is taken to be zero.
M

wL
w
x  x#
2
2

Step 6: Equate the moment equation to '()"
EIy"  M
wL
w
x  x#
EIy" 
2
2

Step 7: Integrate once to get the Slope Equation in terms of '() .
wL 1 # w 1 0
x  x  C2
2 2
2 3
wL
w
x#  x0  C2
EIy . 
4
6

Note: Do not forget that integrating adds a constant of integration.
EIy . 

Step 8: Integrate again to get the Deflection Equation in terms of '()

wL 1 0 w 1 4
x  x  C2 x  C#
4 3
6 4
wL 0 w
x  x4  C2 x  C#
EIy 
12
24

Note: Do not forget that integrating again adds another constant of integration.
EIy 

Step 9: Use two boundary conditions to determine the constants of integration 56 and 57
Note: The first boundary condition is 8  0 when   0. This is because at the left support, the beam
cannot deflect. Substitute this condition to the Deflection Equation in terms of 9:8.
EI
0 

C#  0

wL 0 w
0  04  C2
0  C#
12
24

Note: The second boundary condition is 8  0 when   ;. This is because at the right support, the
beam cannot deflect. Substitute this condition to the Deflection Equation in terms of 9:8. Substitute
the value of <# also.
wL 0 w
L 
L4  C2
L  C#
12
24
wL4 wL4
0

 C2
L  0
12
24
wL0
C2  

24

Step 10: Determine where the maximum deflection is by setting ) .  > and solve for ?
EI
0 

Note: This is from the principle of maxima-minima from Differential Calculus. The maximum
deflection is not always at the midspan, but is usually very near the midspan.
wL # w 0 wL0
x  x 
EIy 

4
6
24
wL # w 0 wL0
x  x 
0

6
4
24

Note: Set the value of ;  1 so that we can determine the value of  explicitly using the calculator.
.

w
1 # w 0 w
1 0
x  x 
0

4
6
24
1
1
1
 x0  x# 
 0
6
4
24
x  _0.366,1.366,1/2`

Note: Earlier, we set the value of ;  1. We reverse to process by setting 1  ; in all roots.

x  _0.366L, 1.366L, L/2`

Note: Since the equation is in cubic form, it will yield 3 roots. It does not make sense for the deflection
to be located left of A
0.366; or to the right of B
1.366; . Therefore, it can be concluded that
the only correct value for  is ;/2.
Step 11: Substitute the value of ? to the Deflection Equation in terms of '() to determine the
maximum deflection.
wL 0 w
wL0
x  x4 
x
12
24
24
wL L 0 w L 4 wL0 L
 
EIy 
[ \
12 2
24 2
24 2
0
0
0
wL
wL
wL
EIy 



96 384 48
ghiX
)

jYX'(

Note: The negative sign denotes that the deflection is downwards.

EIy