The moment-area theorem is an engineering tool to derive the slope, rotation and deflection of beams and frames. This theorem was developed by Mohr and later stated namely by Charles Ezra Greene in 1873. This method is advantageous when we solve problems involving beams, especially for those subjected to a series of concentrated loadings or having segments with different moments of inertia.
The change in slope between any two points on the elastic curve equals the area of the M/EI (moment) diagram between these two points.
\thetaA/B
| ||||
| ={\int | ||||
| A} |
\right)dx
M
EI
\thetaA/B
A,B
The vertical deviation of a point A on an elastic curve with respect to the tangent which is extended from another point B equals the moment of the area under the M/EI diagram between those two points (A and B). This moment is computed about point A where the deviation from B to A is to be determined.
tA/B=
| B | |
| {\int | |
| A} |
| M | |
| EI |
x dx
where,
M
EI
tA/B
A,B
The deviation at any point on the elastic curve is positive if the point lies above the tangent, negative if the point is below the tangent; we measured it from left tangent, if θ is counterclockwise direction, the change in slope is positive, negative if θ is clockwise direction.[3]
The following procedure provides a method that may be used to determine the displacement and slope at a point on the elastic curve of a beam using the moment-area theorem.