Question

Comparative study was done on two girders one simply supported with eccentric loading and
the other cantilevered with uniformly distributed load. Data’s are tabulated as follows:
Type of beam Simply supported Cantilever
Span 7.5 m 3.5 m
Loading point load of 45 kN at
distance of ‘a’ from left
support
uniformly distributed load ‘w’ N/mm
over the entire span
Slope of the beam at left
end support ??
0.0075 radians Not given

Position of maximum
deflection
4.7 m from the right end
support
Not given
Maximum deflection Ymax 17.5 mm
Determine the value of ‘a’ in meters for the simply supported beam. Also find the slope at right
hand support ?? and the magnitude of maximum deflection (Ymax) for simply supported beam.
What will be the value for ‘w’ and the maximum slope for cantilever beam? Take EI = constant.
Based on the conclusions, explain how the deflection of a beam can be minimized by varying the
magnitude and the position of the load? (8 marks

Answer 1