7.

3: Deflection by Method of Double Integration

Deflection by double integration is also referred to as deflection by the method of direct or constant integration. This method
entails obtaining the deflection of a beam by integrating the differential equation of the elastic curve of a beam twice and using
boundary 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.
Example 7.1
A cantilever beam is subjected to a combination of loading, as shown in Figure 7.2a. Using the method of double integration,
determine the slope and the deflection at the free end.

F ig. 7.2 . Cantilever beam.

Solution
Equation for bending moment. Passing a section at a distance x from the free-end of the beam, as shown in the free-body diagram
in Figure 7.2b, and considering the moment to the right of the section suggests the following:
2
20x
M =5−
2

Substituting M into equation 7.12 suggests the following:

2
d y 20x
2

EI 2
=5−
dx 2

Equation for slope. Integrating with respect to x suggests the following:

3
dy 20x
EI = 5x − + C1
dx 6

dy
Observe that at the fixed end where x = L , dx
=0 ; this is referred to as the boundary condition. Applying these boundary
conditions to equation 3 suggests the following:
3
20 L
0 = 5L − + C1
6

3
20(5)
C1 = −5 × 5 + = 391.67
6

To obtain the following equation of slope, substitute the computed value of C into equation 3 follows: 1

3
dy 20x
EI = 5x − + 391.67
dx 6

Equation for deflection. Integrating equation 4 suggests the following:

2 4
5x 20x
EIy = − + 391.67x + C2
2 24

At the fixed end x = L , y = 0 . Applying these boundary conditions to equation 5 suggests the following:
2 4 2 4
5(L) 20(L) 5(5) 20(5)
0 = − + 391.67L = − + 391.67(5) + C2 = −1500
2 24 2 24

To obtain the following equation of elastic curve, substitute the computed value of C into equation 5, as follows: 2

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 2 4
1 5x 20x
y = ( − + 391.67x − 1500)
EI 2 24

dy
The slope at the free end, i.e., dx
at x = 0
3
dy 20(0) 391.67
1
( ) = θA = [5(0) − + 391.6] =
dx EI 6 EI
A

The deflection at the free end, i.e., y at x = 0

2 4
1 5(0) 20(0) 1500 1500
yA = ( − + 391.67(0) − 1500) = − ↓
EI 2 24 EI EI

Example 7.2
A simply supported beam AB carries a uniformly distributed load of 2 kips/ft over its length and a concentrated load of 10 kips in
the middle of its span, as shown in Figure 7.3a. Using the method of double integration, determine the slope at support A and the
deflection at a midpoint C of the beam.

F ig. 7.3 . Simply supported beam.

Solution
Support reactions.
Ay = By =
2×8

2
+
10

2
= 13 kips by symmetry
Equation for bending moment. The moment at a section of a distance x from support A , as shown in the free-body diagram in
Figure 7.3b, is written as follows:
0 <x <4

2
2x
M = 13x −
2

Substituting for M into equation 7.12 suggests the following:

2
2
d y 2x
EI = M = 13x −
dx2 2

Equation for slope. Integrating equation 2 with respect to x suggests the following:
dy 13x
2
2x
3

EI = − + C1
dx 2 6

The constant of integration C is evaluated by considering the boundary condition.

1

L dy
At x = , =0
2 dx

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Applying the afore-stated boundary conditions to equation 3 suggests the following:
2 3
13(4) 2(4)
0 = − + C1
2 6

C1 = −82.67

Bringing the computed value of C back into equation 3 suggests the following:
1

2 3
dy 1 13x 2x
= ( − − 82.67)
dx EI 2 6

Equation for deflection. Integrating equation 4 suggests the following:

3 4
13x 2x
EIy = − − 82.67x + C2
6 24

The constant of integration C is evaluated by considering the boundary condition.

2

At x = 0 , y = 0
0 = 0 − 0 − 0 + C2

C2 = 0

Carrying the computed value of C back into equation 5 suggests the following equation of elastic curve:
2

3 4
13x 2x
EIy = − − 82.67x
6 24

dy
The slope at A , i.e., dx
at x = 0
2 3
dy 13(0) 2(0) 82.67 82.67
1
( ) = θA = ( − − 82.67) = − =−
dx EI 2 6 EI
A 2 1000
(10,000)(12 ) ( )
4
( 12)

Deflection at midpoint C , i.e., at x = L

3 4
1 13(4) 2(4) 213.35 213.35
yc = [ − − 82.67(4)] = − =−
−4
EI 6 24 EI (10, 000)(144)(1000) (12 )

= −0.0031f t = −0.04in ↓

Example 7.3
A beam carries a distributed load that varies from zero at support A to 50 kN/m at its overhanging end, as shown in Figure 7.4a.
Write the equation of the elastic curve for segment AB of the beam, determine the slope at support A , and determine the deflection
at a point of the beam located 3 m from support A .

F ig. 7.4. Beam.

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Solution
Support reactions. To determine the reactions of the beam, apply the equations of equilibrium, as follows:
+n ∑ MA = 0

1 2
−( ) (8)(50) ( ) (8) + By (6) = 0
2 3

By = 177.78kN By = 177.78 ↑

+ → ∑ Fx = 0 Ax = 0 Ax = 0

+ ↑ ∑ Fy = 0

1
177.78 + Ay − ( ) (8)(50) = 0
2

Ay = 22.22kN Ay = 22.22kN ↑

Equation for bending moment. The moment at a section of a distance x from support A , as shown in the free-body diagram in
Figure 7.4b, is as follows:
0 <x <6

3
1 50x x 25x
M = 22.22x − ( ) (x) ( )( ) = 22.22x −
2 8 3 24

Substituting for M into equation 7.12 suggests the following:

2
3
d y 25x
EI 2
= M = 2.22x −
dx 24

Equation for slope. Integrating equation 2 with respect to x suggests the following:
dy 22.22x
2
25x
4

EI = − + C1
dx 2 4×24

Equation for deflection. Integrating equation 3 suggests the equation of deflection, as follows:
3 5
22.22x 25x
EIy = − + C1 x + C2
6 5×4×24

To evaluate the constants of integrations, apply the following boundary conditions to equation 4:
At x = 0 , y = 0
0 = 0 − 0 + 0 + C2

C2 = 0

At x = 6 m, y = 0
3 5
22.22(6) 25(6)
0 = − + 6 C1
6 5×4×24

C1 = −65.82

Equation of elastic curve.

The equation of elastic curve can now be determined by substituting C and C into equation 4. 1 2

3 5
22.22x 25x
EIy = − − 65.82x
6 5×4×24

To obtain the equations of slope and deflection, substitute the computed value of C and C back into equations 3 and 4: 1 2

Equation of slope.
2 4
dy 1 22.22x 25x
= ( − − 65.82)
dx EI 2 96

Equation of deflection.
3 5
1 22.22x 25x
y = ( − − 65.82x)
EI 6 480

Deflection at x = 3 m from support A .

110.13
y =3 m =− = −0.0058 m = −5.80 mm 5.80 mm ↓
x EI

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This page titled 7.3: Deflection by Method of Double Integration is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or
curated by René Alderliesten (TU Delft Open) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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