CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
The conjugate beam method, developed by Heinrich
Muller-Breslau in 1865, is one of the methods used
to determine the slope and deflection of a beam.
The method is based on the principle of statics.
A conjugate beam is defined as a fictitious beam whose
length is the same as that of the actual beam, but with a
loading equal to the bending moment of the actual beam
divided by its flexural rigidity, EI.
The conjugate beam method takes advantage of the
similarity of the relationship among load, shear force,
and bending moment, as well as among curvature,
slope, and deflection.
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Relationship between load-shear-bending moment and curvature-
slope-deflection.
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Supports for Conjugate Beams
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Real beams and their conjugate
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Real beams and their conjugate
For a positive curvature diagram, where there is a
positive ordinate of the diagram, the load
in the conjugate should point in the positive y-y
direction (upward) and vice versa (see Figure).
Positive Curvature Diagram
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
A positive shear force in the conjugate beam equals the
positive slope in the real beam, and a positive moment in the
conjugate beam equals a positive deflection (upward
movement) of the real beam.
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Steps to be followed for Analysis by Conjugate Beam Method
• Draw the conjugate beam for the real beam of the same length as the
real beam and changing support and joints;
• A rotation at any point in the real beam corresponds to a shear force
at the same point in the conjugate beam, and a displacement at any
point in the real beam corresponds to a moment in the conjugate
beam.
• Apply M/EI diagram of the real beam as a distributed load on the
conjugate beam.
• Determine the shear force and moment at the sections of interest in
the conjugate beam.
• Positive shear in the conjugate beam implies a counterclockwise slope
in the real beam, while a positive moment denotes an upward
deflection in the real beam.
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 1
Using the conjugate beam method, determine the slope and the
deflection at point AA of the cantilever beam shown in the
Figure. E=29,000ksiE=29,000ksi and I=280in.4
Solution
Draw the bending moment diagram
and obtain M/EI diag.
Draw the conjugate beam loaded with
the M/EI diagram.
The M/EI diag. is downward load in the
conjugate beam because M is negative.
Slope at A in the real beam= shear at AA
in the conjugate beam=
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 1
Using the conjugate beam method, determine the slope and the
deflection at point AA of the cantilever beam shown in the
Figure. E=29,000ksiE=29,000ksi and I=280in.4
Solution
Slope at A in the real beam= shear at AA
in the conjugate beam=
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 1
Using the conjugate beam method, determine the slope and the
deflection at point AA of the cantilever beam shown in the
Figure. E=29,000ksiE=29,000ksi and I=280in.4
Solution
Deflection at A=Moment at A of the conjugate beam.
Thus, the deflection in the real beam at point :
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Here are the steps used to draw the conjugate beam from
the real beam:
Step 1: Draw the bending moment diagram for the real(given)
beam;
Step 2: Divide the magnitudes of bending moments by
flexural rigidity and draw the M/EI diagram;
Step 3: Draw the conjugate beam having the same length as
a real beam;
Step 4: Plot the loading same as the M/EI diagram in step 2;
Step 5: Apply the supports to the conjugate diagram as
described before.
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
The conjugate beam method is the method used to
determine the slope and deflection of the beam in
which the imaginary conjugate beam is constructed from
the real beam and the shear forces and bending
moments of the conjugate beam are equal to the slope
and deflection of the real beam.
The Beam with different flexural rigidity can also be
solved by the conjugate beam method.
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 3
For the following beam calculate the
slope and deflections at all points by
the conjugate beam method. The beam
has flexural rigidity, EI = 1.5 x 10⁶ N.m².
Solution:
[Counterclockwise]
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 3
For the following beam calculate the
slope and deflections at all points by
the conjugate beam method. The beam
has flexural rigidity, EI = 1.5 x 10⁶ N.m².
Solution:
Shear Forces Bending Moments
Conjugate beam loaded with M/EI
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 3
For the following beam calculate the
slope and deflections at all points by
the conjugate beam method. The beam
has flexural rigidity, EI = 1.5 x 10⁶ N.m².
Solution:
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 3
Solution:
Maximum deflection is at the point maximum moment of conjugate
beam where shear is zero.
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 4
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 5
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
Conjugate Beam Method
Example 5
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
CE 2101: Mechanics of Solids II
