A New Approach To Solve Beam Deflection Problems Using The Method Of Segments

Abstract

He has authored the textbook Fundamentals of the Finite Element Method that was published by Macmillan in 1986. Since his retirement from WPI in 1996, he teaches a mechanics of materials course each year and is currently writing the fifth draft of an introductory textbook with the co-author. In 1983 he received the WPI Board of Trustees' Award for Outstanding Teaching. He received his B.S. in 1955 and an M.S. in 1960 in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from the Department of Metallurgy, Mechanics and Materials Science at Michigan

Teaching Deflections of Beams: Comparison of Advantages of Method of Model Formulas versus Method of Superposition

“…The method of model formulas is relatively new; it is best taught to students as an additional or alternative method after they have first learned the method of integration. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] This new method is found to be more general and effective than the traditional method of superposition, as shown in Section II. Learning and using this new method will enrich students' study and set of skills in determining reactions and deflections of beams.…”

Enriching Students’ Study Of Beam Reactions And Deflections: From Singularity Functions To Method Of Model Formulas

“…The method of model formulas is best taught to students as an alternative method, after they have learned one or more of the traditional methods. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] This method enriches students' study and set of skills in their determining reactions and deflections of beams, and it provides engineers with a means to quickly check their solutions obtained using traditional methods.…”

“…Then they learn the determination of deflection of beams under a variety of loads. Traditional methods that are used in determining statically indeterminate reactions and deflections of elastic beams include: [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] method of integration (with or without the use of singularity functions), method of superposition, method using moment-area theorems, method using Castigliano's theorem, method of conjugate beam, and method of segments.…”

A General Structured Procedure to Solve Machine Design Problems

“…For the general problem involving deformation, our proposed non-traditional structured problemsolving format contains eight analysis steps. The students must follow the appropriate steps listed below for every in-class lecture, homework problem, and design project they solve based on reference [6] and [7].…”

“…Deformation Equations. The deformation formulas are written for each part of a structure based on the Model in Step 1 based on the method of segments [7]. All equations are formulated symbolically, and there is no algebraic manipulation.…”