Course :CE-251: STRUCTURE FOR ARCHITECTS

Week # 1 : Analysis of Structures

Course Instructor: Fawwad Masood

Date: 30th July 2015

Whenever a beam is subject to a point load P, the reaction at support A can be calculated
by RA = P * (b)/(a+b). Similarly RB = P * (a)/(a+b).
If more than one loads are given, the contribution of each force in a given reaction is to be
calculated in similar way, and all of the individual contributions add up to give the reaction
at a particular support.
If instead of a point load, or in combination of point load(s), a distributed load is
given, eg. a UDL, the UDLs resultant can be converted into a resultant point
load and then its contribution in producing the reactions can be calculated in the
same way as shown in the fig.

Once the reactions are calculated, drawing shear force and bending moment
diagrams are quite easy, using the general trends of equations of a particular
degree. The sequence shown in the fig. at right can be of help in this regard.

In the case of a point load, the rest of the region is free from load except for the
point where the load is acting. The load-free zone can be termed as Zero line.
The next shape i.e. a rectangle is how the Shear Force Diagram of that load
should look like.
The shape next to that of shear (Triangle in this case) would be the shape of
Bending Moment Diagram. If the area SFD is positive, the slope would be
increasing, and if the area in SFD is negative, the slope will be decreasing.
In case of a UDL, the shape of loading would be rectangle. That means the
shape of SFD, being the next in the sequence, is supposed to be Triangular,
and that of BMD will be Parabolic.
In case of a VDL, the shape of loading would be Triangle. That means the
shape of SFD, being the next in the sequence, is supposed to be Parabolic, and that of BMD will be Cubic curve.
The point of contra-flexure, can be calculated using similar triangles or equality of areas.

Draw the bending moment diagram of the following using method of sections. Draw Qualitative diagrams also and Verify
using direct Method.

Course :CE-251: STRUCTURE FOR ARCHITECTS

Week # 1 : Analysis of Structures

Course Instructor: Fawwad Masood

Date: 30th July 2015