Slope deflection method

The slope deflection method was widely used for more than a decade until the moment
distribution method was developed.
By forming slope deflection equations and applying joint and shear equilibrium conditions, the
rotation angles (or the slope angles) are calculated. Substituting them back into the slope
deflection equations, member end moments are readily determined.
1. Why is it necessary to compute deflections in structures?
Computation of deflection of structures is necessary for the following reasons: a. If the deflection
of a structure is more than the permissible, the structure will not look aesthetic and will cause
psychological upsetting of the occupants. b. Exessive deflection may cause cracking in the
materials attached to the structure. For example, if the deflection of a floor beam is excessive, the
floor finishes and partition walls supported on the beam may get cracked and unserviceable.
2.What is meant by cambering technique in structures?
Cambering is a technique applied on site, in which a slight upward curve is made in the structure/
beam during construction, so that it will straighten out and attain the straight shape during
loading. This will considerably reduce the downward deflection that may occur at later stages.
3.Name any four methods used for computation of deflections in structures.
1. Double integration method 2. Macaulays method 3. Conjugate beam method 4. Moment area
method 5. Method of elastic weights 6. Virtual work method- Dummy unit load method 7. Strain
energy method 8. Williot Mohr diagram method
4. State the difference between strain energy method and unit load method in the
determination of deflection of structures.
In strain energy method, an imaginary load P is applied at the point where the deflection is
desired to be determined. P is equated to zero in the final step and the deflection is obtained. In
unit load method, an unit load (instead of P) is applied at the point where the deflection is
desired.
Distinguish between pin jointed and rigidly jointed structure.
Pin jointed structure
1. The joints permit change of angle between connected member. 2. The joints are incapable of
transferring any moment to the connected members and vice-versa. 3. The pins transmit forces
between connected member by developing shear.
Rigidly jointed structure
1. The members connected at a rigid joint will maintain the angle between them even under
deformation due to loads.
2. Members can transmit both forces and moments between themselves through the joint.
3. Provision of rigid joints normally increases the redundancy of the structures.
What is meant by lack of fit in a truss?
One or more members in a pin jointed statically indeterminate frame may be a little shorter or
longer than what is required. Such members will have to be forced in place during the

assembling. These are called members having Lack of fit. Internal forces can develop in a
redundant frame (without external loads) due to lack of fit.
Differentiate the statically determinate structures and statically indeterminate structures?
Statically determinate structures :
1. Conditions of equilibrium are sufficient to analyze the structure
2. Bending moment and shear force is independent of material and cross sectional area.
3. No stresses are caused due to temperature change and lack of fit.
Statically indeterminate structures:
1. Conditions of equilibrium are insufficient to analyze the structure
2. Bending moment and shear force is dependent of material and independent of cross
sectional area.
3. Stresses are caused due to temperature change and lack of fit.
1.What are the assumptions made in slope-deflection method?
(i) Between each pair of the supports the beam section is constant.
(ii) The joint in structure may rotate or deflect as a whole, but the angles between the members
meeting at that joint remain the same.
2. How many slope deflection equations are available for a two span continuous beam?
There will be 4 nos. of slope-deflection equations, two for each span.
3. What is the moment at a hinged end of a simple beam?
Moment at the hinged ends of a simple beam is zero.
4. What are the quantities in terms of which the unknown moments are expressed in slopedeflection method?
In slope-deflection method, unknown moments are expressed in terms of (i) slopes () and (ii)
deflections ()
How many slope-deflection equations are available for each span?
Two numbers of slope-deflection equations are available for each span, describing the moment at
each end of the span.
State the limitations of slope deflection method.
(i) It is not easy to account for varying member sections (ii) It becomes very cumbersome when
the unknown displacements are large in number.
Why is slope-deflection method called a displacement method?
In slope-deflection method, displacements (like slopes and displacements) are treated as
unknowns and hence the method is a displacement method.
Define degrees of freedom.
In a structure, the number of independent joint displacements that the structure can undrgo are
known as degrees of freedom.

What is the difference between absolute and relative stiffness?

Absolute stiffness is represented in terms of E, I and l, such as 4EI / l. Relative stiffness is
represented in terms of I and l, omitting the constant E. Relative stiffness is the ratio of stiffness
to two or more members at a joint.

SLOPE DISPLACEMENT METHOD:

It is displacement or equilibrium or stiffness method. It consists of series of simultaneous

equations, each expressing the relation between the moments acting at the ends of the members
is written in terns of slope & deflection. The solution of slope deflection equations along with
equilibrium equations gives the values of unknown rotations of the joints. Knowing these
rotations, the end moments are calculated using slope deflection equations.
Limitations:
1. This method is advantageous only for the structures with small Kinematic indeterminacy.
2. The solution of simultaneous equation makes the method tedious for annual computations.
The formulation of equilibrium conditions tends to be a major constraint in adopting this method.
Hence flexibility coefficients & slope displacement methods have limited applications in
theanalysis of frames. While other methods like iterative or approximate methods are used for
analyzing frames containing larger indeterminacy.

In civil engineering and structural analysis Clapeyron's theorem of three moments is a relationship among the bending moments
at three consecutive supports of a horizontal beam.

1.Define: Strain Energy

When an elastic body is under the action of external forces the body
deforms and work is done by these forces. If a strained, perfectly elastic body is
allowed to recover slowly to its unstrained state. It is capable of giving back all the
work done by these external forces. This work done in straining such a body may be
regarded as energy stored in a body and is called strain energy or resilience.

2. Define: Proof Resilience.

The maximum energy stored in the body within the elastic limit is called
Proof Resilience.

3. Write the formula to calculate the strain energy due to axial loads ( tension).

U =

P dx

limit 0 to L

2AE
Where,
P = Applied tensile load.
L = Length of the member
A = Area of the member
E = Youngs modulus.

4. Write the formula to calculate the strain energy due to bending.

U =

M dx

limit 0 to L

2EI
Where,
M = Bending moment due to applied loads.
E = Youngs modulus

I = Moment of inertia

5. Write the formula to calculate the strain energy due to torsion

U =

T dx

limit 0 to L

2GJ
Where,

T = Applied Torsion
G = Shear modulus or Modulus of rigidity
J = Polar moment of inertia

6.Write the formula to calculate the strain energy due to pure shear

U =K

V dx

limit 0 to L

2GA
Where,

V= Shear load
G = Shear modulus or Modulus of rigidity
A = Area of cross section.
K = Constant depends upon shape of cross section.

7. Write down the formula to calculate the strain energy due to pure shear, if shear
stress is given.

U = V
2G
Where,

= Shear Stress
G = Shear modulus or Modulus of rigidity
V = Volume of the material.

8. Write down the formula to calculate the strain energy , if the moment value is
given

U = ML
2EI
Where,

M = Bending moment
L = Length of the beam
E = Youngs modulus
I = Moment of inertia

9. Write down the formula to calculate the strain energy , if the torsion moment
value is given.

U =

T L
2GJ

Where,

T = Applied Torsion
L = Length of the beam
G = Shear modulus or Modulus of rigidity
J = Polar moment of inertia

10. Write down the formula to calculate the strain energy, if the applied tension load
is given.

U = PL
2AE
Where,

P = Applied tensile load.

L = Length of the member
A = Area of the member
E = Youngs modulus.

11. Write the Castiglianos first theorem.

In any beam or truss subjected to any load system, the deflection at any
point is given by the partial differential coefficient of the total strain energy stored
with respect to force acting at a point.
=U
P
Where,
= Deflection
U= Strain Energy stored
P = Load
12. What are uses of Castiglianos first theorem?
1. To determine the deflection of complicated structure.
2. To determine the deflection of curved beams springs.
13. Define: Maxwell Reciprocal Theorem.
In any beam or truss the deflection at any point A due to a load W at
any other point C is the same as the deflection at C due to the same load W
applied at A.
W

A = C

14. Define: Unit load method.

The external load is removed and the unit load is applied at the point,
where the deflection or rotation is to found.

15. Give the procedure for unit load method.

1. Find the forces P1, P2, . in all the members due to external loads.
2. Remove the external loads and apply the unit vertical point load at
the joint if the vertical deflection is required and find the stress.
3. Apply the equation for vertical and horizontal deflection.

16. Compare the unit load method and Castiglianos first theorem
In the unit load method, one has to analyze the frame twice to find the
load and deflection. While in the latter method, only one analysis is needed.
Define : Modulus of resilience.
The proof resilience of a body per unit volume. (ie) The maximum
energy stored in the body within the elastic limit per unit volume.
Deflection of beams

Type

of

beam

Deflection
= wl3 / 3EI
l
= wl3 / 48EI
l/2

l/2

= wa2b2 / 3EIl

 = 5wl4 / 384EI
l
13. What are the advantages of fixed beams?
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

For the same loading, the maximum deflection of a fixed beam is less
than that of a simply supported beam.
For the same loading, the fixed beam is subjected to lesser maximum
bending moment.
The slope at both ends of a fixed beam is zero.
The beam is more stable and stronger.

14. What are the disadvantages of a fixed beam?

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

Large stresses are set up by temperature changes.

Special care has to be taken in aligning supports accurately at the
same lavel.
Large stresses are set if a little sinking of one support takes place.
Frequent fluctuations in loadingrender the degree of fixity at the ends
very uncertain.

What are the fixed end moments for a fixed beam with the given loading
conditions.

Type of loading

MAB

MBA

-wl / 8

wl / 8

-wab2/ l2

wab2/ l2

-wl2 / 12

wl2 / 12

-wl2 / 30

-wl2 / 30

-5 wl2
96

-5 wl2
96

M/4

M/4

Mb (3a l)

Ma (3b l)

l2

l2

1.Define: Column and strut.

A column is a long vertical slender bar or vertical member, subjected to
an axial compressive load and fixed rigidly at both ends.
A strut is a slender bar or a member in any position other than vertical,
subjected to a compressive load and fixed rigidly or hinged or pin jointed at one or
both the ends.

2. What are the types of column failure?

1. Crushing failure:
The column will reach a stage, when it will be subjected to the
ultimate crushing stress, beyond this the column will fail by crushing The load
corresponding to the crushing stress is called crushing load. This type of failure
occurs in short column.
2. Buckling failure:
This kind of failure is due to lateral deflection of the column. The
load at which the column just buckles is called buckling load or crippling load or
critical load. This type of failure occurs in long column.

3. What is slenderness ratio ( buckling factor)? What is its relevance in column?

It is the ratio of effective length of column to the least radius of

gyration of the cross sectional ends of the column.
Slenderness ratio = l eff / r
l eff = effective length of column
r = least radius of gyration

Slenderness ratio is used to differentiate the type of column. Strength

of the column depends upon the slenderness ratio, it is increased the compressive
strength of the column decrease as the tendency to buckle is increased.

4. What are the factors affect the strength column?

1.Slenderness ratio
Strength of the column depends upon the slenderness ratio, it is
increased the
compressive strength of the column decrease as the tendency to buckle is
increased.
2. End conditions: Strength of the column depends upon the end
conditions also.

5. Differentiate short and long column

Short column

Long column

1. It is subjected to direct compressive

stresses only.

It is subjected to buckling stress only.

2. Failure occurs purely due to crushing

only.

Failure occurs purely due to bucking only.

3. Slenderness ratio is less than 80

Slenderness ratio is more than 120.

4.Its length to least lateral dimension

is

Its length to least lateral dimension is

more than 30. ( L / D 30 )

less than 8. ( L / D 8 )

7. What are the limitations of the Eulers formula?

1. It is not valid for mild steel column. The slenderness ratio of mild
steel column is less than 80.
2. It does not take the direct stress. But in excess of load it can
withstand under direct compression only.

8. Write the Eulers formula for different end conditions.

1. Both ends fixed.

2

PE =

EI

( 0.5L) 2

2. Both ends hinged

2

PE =

EI

(L) 2
3. One end fixed ,other end hinged.
PE =

EI

( 0.7L) 2

4. One end fixed, other end free.

PE =

EI

( 2L) 2
L = Length of the column

9. Define: Equivalent length of the column.

The distance between adjacent points of inflection is called equivalent
length of the column. A point of inflection is found at every column end, that is free
to rotate and every point where there is a change of the axis. ie, there is no
moment in the inflection points. (Or)

The equivalent length of the given column with given end conditions, is
the length of an equivalent column of the same material and cross section with
hinged ends , and having the value of the crippling load equal to that of the given
column.

10. What are the uses of south well plot? (column curve).
The relation between the buckling load and slenderness ratio of various
column is known as south well plot.
The south well plot is clearly
slenderness ratio.

shows the decreases in buckling load increases in

It gives the exact value of slenderness ratio of column subjected to a

particular amount of buckling load.
What is beam column? Give examples.
Column having transverse load in addition to the axial compressive
load are termed as beam column.
Eg : Engine shaft, Wing of an aircraft.

15. Define buckling factor and buckling load.

Buckling factor : It is the ratio between the equivalent length of the column
to the minimum radius of gyration.
Buckling load : The maximum limiting load at which the column tends to
have lateral displacement or tends to buckle is called buckling or crippling load. The
buckling takes place about the axis having minimum radius of gyration, or least
moment of inertia.

16. Define safe load.

It is the load to which a column is actually subjected to and is well below the
buckling load. It is obtained by dividing the buckling load by a suitable factor of
safety (F.O.S).
Safe load = Buckling load
Factor of safety

Define thick cylinders.

Thick cylinders are the cylindrical vessels, containing fluid under pressure and
whose wall thickness is not small. (t d/20)
State the variation of hoop stress in a thick cylinder.
The hoop stress is maximum at the inner circumference and minimum at the
outer circumference of a thick cylinder.

22. How can you reduce hoop stress in a thick cylinder.

The hoop stress in thick cylinders are reduced by shrinking one cylinder over
another cylinder.

THEORIES OF FAILURE

1. What are the types of failures?

1. Brittle failure:
Failure of a material represents direct separation of particles from
each other,
accompanied by considerable deformation.

2. Ductile failure:
Slipping of particles accompanied, by considerable plastic
deformations.

2.List out different theories of failure

1. Maximum Principal Stress Theory. ( Rakines theory)
2. Maximum Principal Strain Theory. ( St. Venants theory)
3. Maximum Shear Stress Theory. ( Trescas theory or Guests theory )
4. Maximum Shear Strain Theory. (Von Mises- Hencky theory or Distortion
energy theory)
5. Maximum Strain Energy Theory. (Beltrami Theory or Haighs theory)

3. Define: Maximum Principal Stress Theory. (Rakines theory)

According to this theory, the failure of the material is assumed to take
place when the value of the maximum Principal Stress ( 1) reaches a value to that
of the elastic limit stress( f y) of the material. 1 = f y.

4. Define: Maximum Principal Strain Theory. ( St. Venants theory)

According to this theory, the failure of the material is assumed to take
place when the value of the maximum Principal Stain (e 1) reaches a value to that of
the elastic limit strain( f y / E) of the material.
e1 = fy/ E

In 3D,
] = fy

In 2D, 3 = 0

e 1 = 1/E[ 1 (1/m)( 2 + 3) ] = f y / E

e 1 = 1/E[ 1 (1/m)( 2 ) ] = f y / E

[ 1 (1/m)( 2 + 3)

[ 1 (1/m)( 2 ) ] = f y

5. Define : Maximum Shear Stress Theory. ( Trescas theory)

According to this theory, the failure of the material is assumed to take
place when the maximum shear stress equal determined from the simple tensile
test.

In 3D,

( 1 - 3) / 2 = f y /2 ( 1 - 3) = f y

In 2D,

( 1 - 2) / 2 = f y /2 1 = f y

6. Define : Maximum Shear Strain Theory (Von Mises- Hencky theory or Distortion
energy theory)
According to this theory, the failure of the material is assumed to take
place when the maximum shear strain exceeds the shear strain determined from
the simple tensile test.

In 3D, shear strain energy due to distortion U = (1/ 12G)[ ( 1 - 2)2 + ( 2 - 3)

( 3 - 1) 2 ]

Shear strain energy due to simple tension, U = f y 2 / 6G

( 1/ 12G)[ ( 1 - 2)2 + ( 2 - 3) 2 + ( 3 - 1) 2 ] = f y 2 / 6G

[ ( 1 - 2)2 + ( 2 - 3)
In 2D,

[ ( 1 - 2)2 + ( 2 - 0)

+ ( 3 - 1) 2 ] = 2 f y

+ ( 0 - 1) 2 ] = 2 f y

7. Define: Maximum Strain Energy Theory (Beltrami Theory)

According to this theory, the failure of the material is assumed to take
place when the maximum strain energy exceeds the strain energy determined from
the simple tensile test.

In 3D, strain energy due to deformation U = (1/ 2E)[ 12 + 22 + 32 -(1/m)( 1 2 +

2 2 + 2 2 )]

strain energy due to simple tension, U = f y 2 / 2E

(1/ 2E)[ 12 + 22 + 32 -(2/m)( 1 2 + 2 2 + 2 2 )] = f y 2 / 2E

[ 12 + 22 + 32 -(2/m)( 1 2 + 2 2 + 2 2 )] = f y
In 2D,

[ 12 + 22 - (2/m)( 1 2 )] = f y

8. What are the theories used for ductile failures?

1. Maximum Principal Strain Theory. ( St. Venants theory)
2. Maximum Shear Stress Theory. ( Trescas theory)
3. Maximum Shear Strain Theory. ( Von Mises- Hencky theory or Distortion
energy theory)

9. Write the limitations of Maximum Principal Stress Theory. (Rakines theory)

1. This theory disregards the effect of other principal stresses and
effect of shearing stresses on other planes through the element.
2. Material in tension test piece slips along 45 0 to the axis of the test
piece, where normal stress is neither maximum nor minimum, but the shear stress
is maximum.
3.Failure is not a brittle, but it is a cleavage failure.

10. Write the limitations of Maximum Shear Stress Theory. ( Trescas theory).
This theory does not give the accurate results for the state of stress of
pure shear in which the maximum amount of shear is developed (in torsion test).

11.Write the limitations of Maximum Shear Strain Theory.(Von Mises- Hencky

theory or Distortion energy theory).
It cannot be applied for the materials under hydrostatic pressure.

12. Write the limitations of Maximum Strain Energy Theory. ( Beltrami Theory).
This theory does not apply to brittle materials for which elastic limit in
tension and in compression are quite different.

13. Write the failure theories and its relationship between tension and shear.

1. Maximum Principal Stress Theory. ( Rakines theory)

= fy

2.Maximum Principal Strain Theory. ( St. Venants theory)

3. Maximum Shear Stress Theory. ( Trescas theory)

= 0.8 f y

=0.5 f y

4.Maximum Shear Strain Theory ( Von Mises - Hencky theory or Distortion

energy theory)

= 0.577 f y
5. Maximum Strain Energy Theory. ( Beltrami Theory) y= 0.817f y .

14. Write the volumetric strain per unit volume.

f y 2 / 2E

20. Define : Octahedral Stresses

A plane, which is equally inclined to the three axes of reference, is

called octahedral plane. The normal and shearing stress acting on this plane are
called octahedral stresses.

oct

= 1/ 3 ( 1 - 2)2 + ( 2 - 3)

+ ( 3 - 1)

21. Define: Plasticity ellipse.

The graphical surface of a Maximum Shear Strain Theory (Von MisesHencky theory or Distortion energy theory) is a straight circular cylinder. The
equation in 2D is

12 - 1 2 + 22 = f y

which is called the Plasticity ellipse

1. Define unsymmetrical bending.

If the plane of loading or that of bending, does not lie in (or parallel to)
a plane that
contains the principal centroidal axisof the cross-section, the bending is called
unsymmetrical bending.

2. What are the reasons for unsymmetrical bending?

1.The section is symmetrical but the load line is inclined to both the principal
axes.
2.The section itself is unsymmetrical and the load line is along the centroidal
axis.
3. What is shear centre or angle of twist?
The shear centre for any transverse section of the beam is the point of
intersection of
the bending axis and the plane of the transverse section.
4. What is pure bending of a beam?
When the loads pass through the bending axis of a beam, then there
shall be pure
bending of the beam.

5. Define principal moment of inertia.

The perpendicular axis about which the product of inertia is zero are
called principal axes and the moments of inertia with respect to these axes
are called as principal moments of inertia.
The maximum moment of inertia is known as Major principal moment
of inertia and the minimum moment of inertia is known as Minor principal
moment of inertia.