47-72 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
The Theorem of Virtual Work
The theorem of virtual work can be derived by considering the beam shown in Fig. 47.64. The full curved
line represents the equilibrium position of the beam under the given loads. Assume the beam to be given
an additional small deformation consistent with the boundary conditions. This is called a virtual defor-
mation and corresponds to increments of deflection D
y1
, D
y2
, … , D
yn
at loads P
1
, P
2
, …, P
n
, as shown
by the dashed line.
The change in potential energy of the loads is given by
(47.113)
By the law of conservation of energy this must be equal to the internal strain energy stored in the beam.
Hence, we may state the theorem of virtual work as: if a body in equilibrium under the action of a system
of external loads is given any small (virtual) deformation, then the work done by the external loads
during this deformation is equal to the increase in internal strain energy stored in the body.
The Theorem of Minimum Potential Energy
Let us consider the beam shown in Fig. 47.65. The beam is in equilibrium under the action of loads P
1
,
P
2
, P
3
, …, P
i
, …, P
n
. The curve ACB defines the equilibrium positions of the loads and reactions. Now
apply by some means an additional small displacement to the curve so that it is defined by AC¢B. Let y
i
be the original equilibrium displacement of the curve beneath a particular load P
i
. The additional small
displacement is called d
yi
. The potential energy of the system while it is in the equilibrium configuration
is found by comparing the potential energy of the beam and loads in equilibrium and in the undeflected
position. If the change in potential energy of the loads is W and the strain energy of the beam is V, the
total energy of the system is
U = W + V (47.114)
If we neglect the second-order terms, then
(47.115)
The above is expressed as the principle or theorem of minimum potential energy, which can be stated
as: if all displacements satisfy given boundary conditions, those that satisfy the equilibrium conditions
make the potential energy a minimum.
FIGURE 47.64 Equilibrium of a simple supported beam under loading.
FIGURE 47.65 Simply supported beam under point loading.
R
1
y
1
P
1
P
2
P
n
Equilibrium
position of the
beam
R
2
∆y
1
∆y
2
∆y
n
y
2
y
n
R
L
P
1
A
C′
C
B
P
i
R
R
δy
i
y
i
P
n
D DP.E.
P
y
i=1
n
i
i
()
=
Â
ddUWV0=+
()
=