Method of Virtual Work for

Beams and Frames

Steven Vukazich
San Jose State University
 Work Done by Force/Moment

Work is done by a force

𝑊 = 𝐹𝛿 acting through and in-line
displacement

𝛿
𝐹
𝑊 = 𝑀𝜃 Work is done by a
𝜃 moment acting through
and in-line rotation
𝑀
 Recall the General Form of the
Principle of Virtual Work

Real Deformation

𝑄𝛿( + * 𝑅, 𝛿. = / 𝐹, 𝑑𝐿(

Virtual Loads
External Work due to Support Settlements
 Consider a Beam Subjected
To General Loading
Modulus of Elasticity = E
y Moment of Inertia = I

w P
M 𝜃2
x
a 𝛿3 A
b B

L
We want to find the deflection at
point A and the slope at point B
due to the applied loads
 Apply a Virtual Force to
Measure the Deflection at A
y Modulus of Elasticity = E
Moment of Inertia = I

𝛿, A x
a
Q 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝜃,
L

For bending, the internal

virtual load is MQ
𝑀, 𝑀,
𝑑𝑥
 Add the Real Loads and Examine
y Internal Deformation due to Bending
w P
𝛿3 M
Modulus of Elasticity = E
Moment of Inertia = I

𝛿, A x
a
Q 𝑑𝑥
L 𝑑𝜃( 𝑑𝜃,
Can rewrite the moment-curvature relationship

𝑑5𝑦 𝑑 𝑑𝑦 𝑀(
5
= =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼

𝑑𝜃( 𝑀( 𝑀(
= 𝑑𝜃( = 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼 𝑀( 𝑀, 𝑀, 𝑀(
𝑑𝑥
 Modify the General Form of the Principle of
Virtual Work for Bending Deformation
Real Deformation

𝑄𝛿( = / 𝐹, 𝑑𝐿( 𝑑𝜃(

Virtual Loads
For bending deformation,
𝑑𝜃,
dLP = d𝜃P and FQ = MQ
The Principle of Virtual Work expression for
bending can be expressed as:
:
𝑄𝛿( = 9 𝑀, 𝑑𝜃(
;
𝑀( 𝑀, 𝑀, 𝑀(
𝑑𝑥
 Principle of Virtual Work to Measure 𝜹𝑨
y
w P
𝛿3 M
Modulus of Elasticity = E
Moment of Inertia = I

𝛿, A x
a
Q 𝑑𝑥

: 𝑀(
𝑄𝛿( = 9 𝑀, 𝑑𝜃( 𝑑𝜃( = 𝑑𝑥
; 𝐸𝐼
If the bending stiffness, EI, is constant:
:
𝑀( 1 :
𝑄𝛿3 = 9 𝑀, 𝑑𝑥 𝑄𝛿3 = 9 𝑀, 𝑀( 𝑑𝑥
; 𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼 ;
 To Measure Rotational Deformation,
Apply a Virtual Moment
y Modulus of Elasticity = E
Moment of Inertia = I
Q
𝜃,
B
x
b 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝜃,
L

For bending, the internal

virtual load is MQ
𝑀, 𝑀,
𝑑𝑥
 Add the Real Loads and Examine
y Internal Deformation due to Bending
w P
M Q 𝜃2 Modulus of Elasticity = E
Moment of Inertia = I

B
x
b 𝑑𝑥
L 𝑑𝜃( 𝑑𝜃,
From the moment-curvature relationship

𝑑5𝑦 𝑑 𝑑𝑦 𝑀(
5
= =
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
𝑑𝜃( 𝑀( 𝑀(
= 𝑑𝜃( = 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼 𝑀( 𝑀, 𝑀, 𝑀(
𝑑𝑥
 Principle of Virtual Work to Measure 𝜽𝑨
y
w P
M Q 𝜃2 Modulus of Elasticity = E
Moment of Inertia = I

B
x
b 𝑑𝑥
L
: 𝑀(
𝑄𝛿( = 9 𝑀, 𝑑𝜃( 𝑑𝜃( = 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼
;
If the bending stiffness, EI, is constant:
:
𝑀( 1 :
𝑄𝜃2 = 9 𝑀, 𝑑𝑥 𝑄𝜃2 = 9 𝑀, 𝑀( 𝑑𝑥
; 𝐸𝐼 𝐸𝐼 ;
Summary of Procedure for Finding Bending
Deformation Using Virtual Work
Modulus of Elasticity = E
y Moment of Inertia = I

w P
M 𝜃2
x
a 𝛿3 A
b B

L
We want to find the deflection at
point A and the slope at point B
due to the applied loads
 Step 1 – Remove all loads and apply a virtual
force (or moment) to measure the deformation at
y the point of interest

A x
a
Q Convenient to
L set Q = 1

From an equilibrium analysis, find the internal

bending moment function for the virtual system:
MQ(x)
 Step 2 – Replace all of the loads on the structure
and perform the real analysis
y
w P
M

From an equilibrium analysis, find the internal

bending moment function for the real system:
MP(x)
Step 3 – Evaluate the virtual work product integrals
and solve for the deformation of interest

:
𝑀(
𝑄𝛿3 = 9 𝑀, 𝑑𝑥
; 𝐸𝐼

If the bending stiffness, EI, is constant:

1 :
𝑄𝛿3 = 9 𝑀, 𝑀( 𝑑𝑥
𝐸𝐼 ;

Table in textbook appendix is provided to help

evaluate product integrals of this type
 Table to Evaluate Virtual Work Product Integrals
Appendix Table.2

Table is as useful tool

to evaluate product
integrals of the form:
:
9 𝑀, 𝑀( 𝑑𝑥
;