PHYSICAL CONSTANTS INVOLVED IN ANALYSIS 3

structure under load, we can analyze it by statics alone. The methods

of analysis serve to make this picture accurate; but unless, after we
have analyzed a structure, we can draw its deflected shape, we do not
know what we are talking about. Moreover, the exact analysis is no
more scientific — though it is more exact — than is the elementary
process of drawing a consistent picture of the deformed structure by
sketching.
No indeterminate analysis — no structural analysis of any kind —
is complete until the computer has satisfied himself:

(1) That the forces balance, at least within the accuracy of compu
tation used.
(2) That he has not overlooked any forces.

Physical Constants Involved in Analysis. An important field of

study is that of the sensitiveness of the structure to variations in the
properties of the materials or to other underlying assumptions. All
analyses are based on some assumptions which are not quite in accord
ance with the facts. From this, however, it does not follow that the
conclusions of the analysis are not very close to the facts.
Three sets of elementary physical constants are involved in the
geometric relations used in the analysis of continuous structures.
These are: the change of length, per unit of force per unit of length, in
members subject to axial forces; the rotation, per unit of moment per
unit of length, in members subject to bending moments; the rotation,
per unit of torque per unit of length, in members subject to torsion.
Probably these constants should have some special name, although
none has ever been assigned to them. Perhaps
" constants of deforma
tion " is as good a term as any.
Understand clearly that these are actual deformations which occur
in the structure under the conditions which we are discussing. It will
be found in reinforced concrete that they are not invariable for a given
member. The rotation, in a given length of concrete beam subject to a
given bending moment, per unit of length per unit of moment, will vary
with the dimensions of the section, but it will also vary with the magni
tude of the moment and with the duration of the moment. This makes
it a rather complicated quantity to deal with. These variations are
not small. In a given beam of reinforced concrete we may reasonably
expect that if the rotation per unit of length per unit of moment is a
for a small moment, it may be 2a for a large moment. These values
may be doubled if the moment persists for one year, and will increase
for any duration of loading.
Fortunately, it is usually the relative values of these deformation