To verify our understanding of a new structural analysis tool, we should use it to find a known solution. This helps ensure that we are applying the tool properly. To be sure that we understand how to...

To verify our understanding of a new structural analysis tool, we should use it to find a known solution. This helps ensure that we are applying the tool properly. To be sure that we understand how to apply the Conjugate Beam Method, let's find the slope and vertical displacement at the free end of a cantilever with a point load. We can compare our results with information inside the front cover of this text.

a. Guess the location of the peak slope.

b. Construct the moment diagram for the beam.

c. Calculate the slope along the beam. Identify where the slope is largest. Compare the slope at the free end with the value from inside the front cover of this text.

d. Determine the vertical displacement at the free end of the beam. Compare this value with the value inside the front cover of this text.

e. Comment on why your guess in part (a) was or was not close to the solution in part (c).