The deformation of a steel member is affected by its modulus of elasticity and its stiffness, which is influenced by its geometry, including the thickness of the material. By modifying the geometry of the member, it is possible to increase its stiffness and reduce deflection for all kinds of loads.
Using thicker material in the sections, adding stiffeners, or increasing the number of members are generally measures to increase the stiffness and reduce deflection in steel structures.
For example, one way to reduce deflection in a steel member subjected to bending is to increase the moment of inertia (I) of the cross-section. This can be achieved by modifying the design of the cross-section, such as by positioning most of the cross-sectional area far from the neutral axis. This increases the stiffness of the member and reduces its deflection.