CIVL 3121

Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle

Qualitative Influence Lines

1/5

Qualitative Influence Lines

In 1886, Heinrich Mller-Breslau develop a

method for rapidly constructing the shape of
an influence line.

In 1886, Heinrich Mller-Breslau develop a

method for rapidly constructing the shape of
an influence line.

Heinrich
He nr ch Franz Bernhard Mller was
born in Wroclaw (Breslau) on 13 May
1851.
In 1875 he opened a civil engineer's
office in Berlin. Around this time he
decided to add the name of his
hometown to his surname, becoming
known as Mller-Breslau.

In
n 1883
883 Mller
Mller-Breslau
Breslau became
ecame a
lecturer and in 1885 a professor in
civil engineering at the Technische
Hochschule in Hanover.

Qualitative Influence Lines

The Muller-Breslau principle states:
The influence line for a function (reaction, shear,
moment)) is to the same scale as the deflected
shape of the beam when the beam is acted on by
the function.
To draw the deflected shape properly, the ability
of the beam to resist the applied function must
be removed.

Qualitative Influence Lines

Remove the ability to resist movement in the
vertical direction at A by using a guided roller

A
Ay

Ay

Qualitative Influence Lines

For example, consider the following simply
supported beam.

Lets try to find the shape of the influence line

for the vertical reaction at A.

Qualitative Influence Lines

Consider the following simply supported beam.

Lets try to find the shape of the influence line

for the shear at the mid-point (point C).

CIVL 3121

Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle

Qualitative Influence Lines

Remove the ability to resist shear at point C

2/5

Qualitative Influence Lines

Consider the following simply supported beam.

VC
The change in
shear is equal to 1

Lets try to find the shape of the influence line

for the moment at the mid-point (point C).
x

Qualitative Influence Lines

Remove the ability to resist moment at C by
using a hinge

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
reaction at point B

MC

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
reaction at point B

A
By

By

B
1

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
reaction at point A

CIVL 3121

Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
reaction at point A

B
Ay

3/5

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
reaction at point B

Ay

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
reaction at point B

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
shear at point C
C

By

By

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
shear at point C
V

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
moment at point C

C
A
VC

C
D
The change in
shear is equal to 1

CIVL 3121

Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
moment at point C

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
moment at point B

C
A

B
D

4/5

MC

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
moment at point B

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
shear at point B

MB

Qualitative Influence Lines

Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
shear at point B

Qualitative Influence Lines

Draw the influence lines for the vertical
reaction at D and the shear at E.

B
A
VB

A
10 ft

The change in
shear is equal to 1

C
10 ft

15 ft

15 ft

CIVL 3121

Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle

Qualitative Influence Lines

Draw the influence lines for the vertical
reaction at D and the shear at E.
E

Draw the influence lines for the vertical

reaction at D and the shear at E.
E

B
10 ft

10 ft

Qualitative Influence Lines

15 ft

5/5

Dy

15 ft

Dy

C
D

A
10 ft

10 ft

15 ft

15 ft

35 ft

15 ft

Qualitative Influence Lines

Draw the influence lines for the vertical
reaction at D and the shear at E.
V

C
V

10 ft

10 ft

15 ft

Qualitative Influence Lines

Draw the influence lines for the vertical
reaction at D and the shear at E.
The change in shear at point E is equal to 1
The influence lines can be determined by
similar triangles the values of

15 ft

VE

0.5
x

10ft 15ft

VE
The change in
shear is equal to 1

0.5(15ft )
0.75
10ft

0.5
10 ft

15 ft

15 ft

10ft

-0.5

-0.75

Qualitative Influence Lines

End of Influence Lines Part 2

Determine the maximum positive moment that can be

developed at point D in the beam shown below due to a
concentrated live load of 4 k, a uniform live load of 300
lb/ft, and a dead load of 200 lb/ft.

Any questions?

5 ft

5 ft

5 ft

10 ft