The simple beam shown in the figure supports a concentrated load P acting at distance a from the left-hand support and distance b from the right-hand support. Determine the deflection D at point D...

The simple beam shown in the figure supports a concentrated load P acting at distance a from the left-hand support and distance b from the right-hand support.

Determine the deflection

_D
at point D where the load is applied. (Obtain the solution by determining the strain energy of the beam and then using Castigliano’s theorem.)