Skip to main content
C
Callum19951-Visitor
1-Visitor
August 26, 2022
Solved

Maximum Value of a Piecewise Function

  • August 26, 2022
  • 1 reply
  • 1384 views

Hello,

 

I am working on a simply supported beam calculator. I have everything up and working but I am having trouble when it comes to determining the maximum of the displacement and it's corresponding x value. 

 

In the collapsible area under the loads you can see I have the various displacement equations and to find the total displacement I sum them up. I then need to find where this value is a maximum but I don't know how to do it other than reading it off the graph. 

 

Is there a more elegant way to determine the maximum so I can define a function for maximum displacement and corresponding x-location. I have attached the sheet for reference.

 

Thanks,

Callum 

Best answer by terryhendicott

Hi Callum,

 

There is a difference between a range variable and a vector.

Capture.JPG defines a range variable.  It does not create a vector.

I like to define a vector "x" and a matching indexed range variable "ix"

This following code creates a vector "xp" and a matching range variable "ix"

Capture2.JPG

The subtle change is that you can create a vector of deflections at points on the beam and find a maximum of that vector

Capture6.JPG

The solution comes  with a drawback in that you need to use the index variable "ix" in the plots

Capture3.JPG

Capture4.jpg

Capture5.JPG

Cheers

Terry

1 reply

T
21-Topaz II
terryhendicott21-Topaz IIAnswer
21-Topaz II
August 26, 2022

Hi Callum,

 

There is a difference between a range variable and a vector.

Capture.JPG defines a range variable.  It does not create a vector.

I like to define a vector "x" and a matching indexed range variable "ix"

This following code creates a vector "xp" and a matching range variable "ix"

Capture2.JPG

The subtle change is that you can create a vector of deflections at points on the beam and find a maximum of that vector

Capture6.JPG

The solution comes  with a drawback in that you need to use the index variable "ix" in the plots

Capture3.JPG

Capture4.jpg

Capture5.JPG

Cheers

Terry

    C
    Callum19951-VisitorAuthor
    1-Visitor
    August 26, 2022

    Hi terry,

     

    Thanks for you response! I have got it up and working now. 

     

    Best Regards,

    Callum 

    Terms & ConditionsCookie settingsAccessibility statement