Conjugate Frame for Shear and Flexure

Abstract

A method is described for extending the conjugate beam concept to the solution of the combined effect of shear and flexure in frames and nonprismatic elements. A consistent sign convention is adopted. The method distinguishes between, and evaluates, the slope and cross‐sectional plane rotation. These two different rotations usually occur under the influence of shear. In structural analysis these rotations have different considerations: the rotational stiffness and rotational flexibility, of an element, are associated with the cross‐sectional plane rotation but deflection of the element is related to the slope of the deflection curve. The method provides an efficient tool for frame analysis, especially when evaluation of displacements is required at several locations in the structure.