Deflections of Elastic Structures

Abstract

This chapter describes some effective methods for computing deflections of deformable structures. The following structures are considered: beams, frames, arches, and trusses subjected to different actions, such as variety of external loads, change of temperature, settlements of supports, and errors of fabrication. Computation of different types of deflections is shown. They are linear, angular, as well as the mutual linear and angular deflections. Advantages and disadvantages of each method and field of their effective application are discussed. Much attention is given to a graph multiplication method which is a most effective method for bending structures. Fundamental properties of deformable structures are described by reciprocal theorems; they will be widely used for analysis of statically indeterminate structures.