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6 Influence Lines
KL2102 CLASS 01
SEMESTER I 2014/2015

Influence Lines
If a structure is subjected to moving loads, the

variation of reactions and internal forces is best

described using the influence line.
An influence line represents the variation of
reaction or internal force (or displacement) at a
specific point in a member as a concentrated force
moves over the span of the structure.
Influence lines play an important part in the design
of bridges, rails, cranes, conveyors, and other
structures where loads move across their span.
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Representation of Moving Load

Moving load is represented by a unit load
placed at a distance x from a reference point.

Example 1
Draw the influence lines of all reactions, shear force

at C, and bending moment at C for the beam

structure shown below.
A

2m

2m

4m

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Example 1

Influence Lines of Reactions

x

Free-body diagram
A

2m

Equilibrium equations

C
RB
2m

RD
4m

0 : 6 RB 1 8 x 0

8 x
6
Fy 0 : RB RD 1 0
RB

RD

x2
6
5

Example 1

Influence Lines of Reactions

x

Influence Lines
A

C
RB

RB

D
RD

3
1

RD

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Example 1

Influence Lines of Internal Forces at C

Free-body diagram

MC

for 0 x 4 m
RB

Equilibrium equations

VC

0 : RB 1 VC 0

2 x
6
M C 0 : 2 RB 1 4 x M C 0
VC RB 1

MC

2x 4
3
7

Example 1

Influence Lines of Internal Forces at C

Free-body diagram

MC

for 4 x 8 m
RB

Equilibrium equations

VC

0 : RB VC 0

8 x
6
M C 0 : 2 RB M C 0
VC RB

M C 2 RB

8 x
3
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Example 1

Influence Lines of Internal Forces at C

x

Influence Lines
A

C
RB
2

VC

RD

3
4

MC

3
9

Example 2
Draw the influence lines of all reactions, shear force

at C, and bending moment at C for the beam

structure shown below.

2m

2m

4m

2m

4m

2m

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To calculate the reactions, we need to separate the

structure at the hinge.

There will be two different pairs of FBD, one with the
load on span AE and another one with the load on
span EG.
1

Ey

0 x 10 m

Ey
RB

RD

RF
Ey x 10 1

10 x 16 m

Ey
RD

RB

RF
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0 x 10 m

Ey

M 0
F 0
F

Ey 0
RF 0

RF

0 : 6 RB 18 x 0

8 x
6
Fy 0 : RB RD 1 0
RB

Ey
RB

RD

RD

x2
6

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10 x 16 m

Ey x 10 1

0 : 4 E y 1 4 x 10 0

Ey
RF

x 14
4

0 : RF E y 1

x 10
4

0 : 6 RB 2 E y 0

14 x
12
Fy 0 : RB RD E y 0
RB

Ey
RD

RB

RD

x 14
3
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Influence Lines of Reactions

x
A

2m

2m

4m

2m

4m

2m

RB

RD

4
3
3
1

3
1.5

RF
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MC

0x4m

0 : RB 1 VC 0

2 x
6
M C 0 : 2 RB 1 4 x M C 0
VC RB 1

VC
RB

MC

2x 4
3
4 x 16 m

MC

8 x
, 4 x 10
6
Fy 0 :VC RB VC x 14

, 10 x 16
12
8 x
3 , 4 x 10
M

0
:
M

2
R

C
C
B
C
x 14 , 10 x 16
6

VC
RB

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Influence Lines of Internal Forces at C

x
A

2m

VC

1
D

2m

4m

4m

2m

3
1

2m
1

3
1

MC
4

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Use of Influence Lines

To determine the value of the corresponding

response (reactions or internal forces) for any

given loading arrangements.
To determine how a structure should be loaded in
order to maximize a particular response.

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Response for Any Load Arrangements

Concentrated load:
The response is the value of the influence line at the location of
the load, multiplied by the magnitude of the load.
Uniformly distributed load:
The response is the area of the influence line under the
location of the uniform load, multiplied by the magnitude of
the uniform load.
Combined load:
Add the responses due to each load.

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Example 3
Use the influence lines constructed in Example 2 to

obtain all reactions, shear force at C, and bending

moment at C of the structure shown.
10 kN

25 kN
B

2m

12 kN/m
D

C
3m
4m

2m

4m

2m

2m

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Example 3

Reaction at B
10 kN
A

25 kN
B

2m

2m

12 kN/m

3m
4m

2m

4m

2m

RB

4
1
1 1
1 1
RB 10 25 12 6 12 2 15.83 kN
3
2
2 3
2 6
20

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Example 3

Reaction at D
10 kN

25 kN
B

2m

12 kN/m
D

C
3m
4m

2m

4m

2m

2m

RD

1
1
1 4
1 4
1 2
RD 10 25 12 2 1 12 4 12 2
3
2
2 3
2 3
2 3
61.17 kN
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Example 3

RF, VC, and MC

10 kN
A

25 kN
B

2m

2m

12 kN/m

3m
4m

2m

4m

2m

1
RF 10 0 25 0 12 6 1.5 54 kN
2
1
1
1 1
1 1
VC 10 25 12 6 12 2 5.83 kN
3
2
2 3
2 6
4
1 2
1 1
M C 10 25 1 12 6 12 2 8.33 kN-m
3
2 3
2 3
22

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Maximum Load Effects

A structure is usually designed to resist dead loads

(the weight of the structure itself and other

permanent objects on the structure) and live loads
(due to the use or occupancy of the structure).
While dead loads have fixed positions, the live loads
should be placed in such pattern that produce
maximum value of a particular response.

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Example 4
The beam structure below will be designed to

receive:

Dead load: uniform load of 15 kN/m

Live load: uniform load of 25 kN/m and two concentrated
loads of 50 kN and 30 kN that are separated by 1.5 m.

Determine the maximum value of each reaction, and

the maximum value of positive and negative bending

moment at C.
A

2m

2m

4m

2m

4m

2m
24

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Example 4

Maximum RB
30 kN

50 kN
25 kN/m
15 kN/m

6
1

4
13
1 4
1 1
1 4
RB max 50 30 25 8 25 2 15 8
3
12
2 3
2 6
2 3
1
1
1
1

15 6 15 2 304.17 kN
2 3
2 6
25

Example 4

Maximum RD
30 kN

50 kN

25 kN/m
15 kN/m

RD

4
13
1
4
1 1
1
4
RD max 50 30 25 12 15 2 15 12
3
12
2
3
2 3
2
3
1 2
15 2 404.17 kN
2 3
26

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Example 4

Maximum RF

30 kN

50 kN

25 kN/m
15 kN/m

G
1.5

RF

3
9
1 3
1 3
RF max 50 30 25 6 15 6 288.75 kN
2
8
2 2
2 2
27

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