Theorem:
If

is the total strain energy of any structure due to the application of external loads,

at

in the direction

and to the couples

then the deflections at

in the directions

are

and

and the angular rotations of the couples are

,

at their applied points.
Proof for concentrated loads:
If the displacements (in the directions of the loads) produced by gradually applied loads

are

then,
Let

alone be increased by
then,

= increase in external work done
Where,
are increases in
But if the loads

were applied gradually from zero,
the total strain energy,
Subtracting equation (
11) and neglecting the products of small quantities,
Subtracting equation (
12),

or
Similarly for

and

and the proof can be extended to incorporate couples.
It is important to stress that

is the total strain energy, expressed in terms of loads and not
including statically determinate reactions and the partial derivative with respect to each load in
turn (treating the others as constant) gives the deflection at the load points in the direction of
the load.
The following principles should be observed in applying the theorem
- 1) In finding the deflection of curved beams and similar problems, only strain energy due to
bending need normally be taken into account (i.e.

)
- 2) Treat all loads as variables initially carry out the partial differentiation and integration
and only putting in numerical values at the final stage.
- 3) If the deflection is to be found at a point where, or in a direction there is no load, a load
may be put in where required and given a value of zero in the final reckoning (i.e.
![x\;=\left[ \displaystyle\frac{\delta U}{\delta W}\ \right]_{W=0} \right](http://www.codecogs.com/cache/eqns/a977e8d0dbc991b502bfc81938843a69.gif)
)
Generally it will be found that the strain energy method requires less thought in application than
the direct method, it being only necessary to obtain an expression for the bending moment; also
there is no difficulty over the question of sign as the strain energy is bound to be positive and
deflection is positive in the direction of the load. The only disadvantage occurs when a case such
as mentioned in note 3 above has to be dealt with in which case the direct method will probably be
shorter.