Hints and Discussion Thread
- From your equilibrium analysis it should become clear that this problem is indeterminate.
- Your first task after establishing this is to pick your redundant load(s). Recall that the order of the indeterminacy dictates the number of redundant loads. YOU are free to choose which you want to use for your redundant load(s).
- Once this decision is made, you need to write the remaining reaction loads in terms of your redundant load(s).
- Next, you need to set up your expression for the strain energy function U. This will require you to break up the domain of the beam into three sections: BC, CD, DH. Using the bending moment expression for each section, you can write down the strain energy in each section and add together.
- Then use Castigliano’s 2nd theorem for indeterminate beams to find your redundant load(s). The equilibrium equations from Part b) can then be used to find the remaining reactions.
Any questions? Ask (and answer) questions here.