Elastic Curve from the Load Distribution

When a beam carries distributed load, shear force and bending moment relationships are expressed as differential equations. A third-order linear differential equation results from differentiation, and further differentiation produces a fourth-order linear differential equation that governs the elastic curve shape the beam assumes. This fourth-order equation is the fundamental tool for predicting beam deflection.

Boundary conditions such as tilt, deflection at supports, and force constraints define the integration constants when solving the fourth-order differential equation. For cantilever beams, shear force and bending moment are null at the free end. For supported beams, only bending moment is zero at both ends. These constraints ensure the calculated curve accurately represents the actual beam deformation.

Overhanging beams extend beyond their supports, creating support reactions that cause shear force irregularities along the beam length. These discontinuities prevent a single function from describing the entire elastic curve. Instead, distinct functions must be defined for different beam segments to accurately capture the beam's behavior under distributed load conditions.

Flexural rigidity is a constant representing the beam's resistance to bending. By multiplying the fourth-order linear differential equation by this constant and integrating four times, engineers obtain an expression for the elastic curve. Assuming constant flexural rigidity simplifies the analysis and allows accurate prediction of how beams bend under distributed loads.

The elastic curve represents the actual shape a beam assumes when deforming under transverse loading. The fourth-order differential equation derived from load-shear-moment relationships directly describes this deformation of a beam under transverse loading. Solving this equation through integration yields the precise deflection profile at every point along the beam's length.

Integration of the fourth-order differential equation four successive times transforms the load-moment relationship into an explicit expression for the beam's elastic curve. Each integration introduces a constant determined by boundary conditions. This stepwise integration process converts abstract differential relationships into practical equations engineers use to calculate deflection at any beam location.

Cantilever beams are fixed at one end and free at the other, requiring null shear force and bending moment at the free end. Supported beams rest on supports at both ends, requiring only bending moment to be zero at those points. These different constraint sets produce distinct elastic curves and deflection patterns for the same distributed load.