Internal Forces and Moments

Definition 1

The normal force acting in the direction of the axis of the body is called the axial
force.
Forces which are tangent to the imaginary cut surface are called shear forces.
Internal moment about an axis normal to the imaginary cut surface is called torsional moment or torque.
Internal moments about axis tangent to the imaginary cut are called bending
moments.

Definition 2
Definition 3
Definition 4

At a cross-section with outward normal defined as the x -direction, the internal forces and
moments are as shown below.
N= Axial force
x
N
T

Vz

My

Vz = Shear Force

O
Mz

Vy = Shear Force

Vy

T = Torque
My = Bending Moment
Mz = Bending Moment

Static Review Problems

In the problems below using the above notation determine the zero and non-zero internal forces
and moments. You will see these problems again in Chapter 10 homework.
SR.1 Determine the internal forces and moments on the section passing through point A in the bent pipe
shown in Fig. SR.1.
y

Py = 200 lb
Pz=800 lb

16 in

Fig. SR.1

1200 lbs

3 ft.

2.25 ft. 2.25 ft.

400 lbs
400 lbs

Px = 1000 lb
10 in

1200 lbs

16 in

3 ft.

Fig. SR.2

SR.2 A hollow steel shaft shown in Fig. SR.2 has an outside diameter of 4 inches and an inside diameter
of 3 inches. Two pulleys of 24 inch diameter carry belts that have the given tensions. The shaft is supported
at the walls using flexible bearings permitting rotation in all directions. Determine the internal forces and
moments at a section passing through point A.

SR.3 Determine the internal forces and moments in the middle of the bar BC.

60o

60 in

80 lb./in

66 in

z
Fig. SR.3

SR.4 In the structure shown in Fig. SR.4, determine (a) the forces at all pin joints. (b) the internal forces
and moments in terms of w at a section just above pin D on member CDE.
w
B
A
3m

150 mm

50 mm
D

y
x
E

0m
20

2.5 m

2.5 m

z
Fig. SR.4

SR.5 The hoist shown in Fig. SR.5 lifts a weight of W = 300 lb. Determine (a) the forces at all pin joints
(b) the internal forces and moment on a section just below pin E on member CEF.
C

4 ft

2 ft

E
3 ft

3 ft

W
9 ft

Fig. SR.5

Answers (Your answers may differ by a sign)

SR1: (10-35)
N = 1000 lb ( T )

SR2 (10-37):
SR3 (10-43):
SR4 (10-44):

V y = 200 lb
N = 0

Vy = 0

N = 1524 lb ( T )
N = 6.14w ( C )

V z = 800 lb
Vz = 0
Vy = 0
V y = 2.14w

T = 8000 in lb
T = 800 ft lb

Vz = 0
Vz = 0

T = 0
T = 0

M y = 12800 in lb

M z = 6800 in lb

My = 0

M z = 4800 ft lb

My = 0

M z = 43560 in lb

My = 0

M z = 6.25w