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 Virtual Work Method, let's find the slope at one end of a simply supported beam with a triangular distributed load. We can compare our results with information inside the front cover of this text.

a. Guess whether the slope at the right end will be greater or less than the slope at the same end of a simply supported beam with an equivalent uniform load.

Calculate the slope at the right end of the beam with the equivalent uniform load using formulas from inside the front cover of this text. Derive the expressions for the moment for the beam with a triangular distributed load. Calculate the slope at the right end of the beam using the Virtual Work Method. Compare that value with the value inside the front cover of this text. Comment on why your guess in part (a) was or was not close to the solution in parts (b) and (d).