科研之友
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摘要
An elastic beam on a simple support can be in neutral equilibrium under a variety of loading conditions. Is it possible to ascertain the deflections of such a beam? The answer is: yes-by the conjugate beam method propounded by Westergaard in 1921, and no-by all other methods. It is recognized that support conditions, rather than boundary conditions, are what the conjugate beam method requires in finding deflections of loaded beams; and more support conditions than boundary conditions are usually known for beams in neutral equilibrium. The objective of this paper is to share with engineering educators the pedagogy of the conjugate beam method and the solution for the deflected configuration of a loaded elastic beam in neutral equilibrium by this method. The feasibility of obtaining such a solution via this method is unmatched by other methods. The conjugate beam method, missing in most current textbooks in mechanics of materials, is as good as (or even better than) other methods when it comes to the analysis of deflections of beams. Once well revived in textbooks, or otherwise, for teaching and learning, this method is expected to significantly impact the favored way beam deflections are analyzed.
- 出版日期2010
