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

Abstract

Since publication of the method of model formulas in a recent issue of the IJEE, 1 there has been considerable interest in knowing a good approach to teaching this method to enrich students' study and set of skills in determining statically indeterminate reactions and deflections of elastic beams. This paper is aimed at sharing with mechanics educators an approach that can be used to effectively introduce and teach such a method. It is a considered opinion that the method of model formulas be taught to students after having taught them one or more of the traditional methods. Besides enhancing the learning experience of upper class engineering students, this method can benefit practicing engineers. In particular, this method may readily serve as an independent and effective means to quickly check or assess the solutions obtained using other methods.