MET 210W

Handout – Simple Beam with a Uniform Load

The following illustrates the various diagrams and equations associated with a uniformly loaded simple
beam. A simple beam is one that is supported by a pin at one end and a roller at the other. Both ends are
thus free to rotate under the applied load. The calculus used to derive the equations is also shown. Note
that this method can be used to find diagrams and equations for any beam loading condition.
wx
Uniform Load, w
Bending
Moment, A B
M
cut
Shear, V Span, L
X wL 1 ⎛ L ⎞⎛ wL ⎞ wL2
A= ⎜ ⎟⎜ ⎟=
wL 2 2 ⎝ 2 ⎠⎝ 2 ⎠ 8
2 Shear, V
FBD of Typical Cut in Beam
wL2 wL
1. Statics from the FBD: −
8 2

∑F
wL
y =0= − wX − V
2 Equation for shear
wL
V= − wX Bending
2
Moment, M
⎛ X ⎞ wL
∑M cut = 0 = M + wX ⎜ ⎟ −
⎝2⎠ 2
X
wL3
wXL wX 2 Slope of 24 EI
M= − Elastic
2 2
Equation for Curve, θ
bending moment
wL3
−
The maximum bending moment occurs at the X 24 EI
coordinate where the shear is zero.
V =0=
wL
− wX Elastic θ
2 Curve, y
L 5 wL4
X= y max =
2 384 EI
2
⎛L⎞ ⎛L⎞
w ⎜ ⎟L w ⎜ ⎟
wL2
= ⎝ ⎠ − ⎝ ⎠ =
2 2
MMAX
2 2 8
2. Determine the slope equation by integration. 3. Determine the elastic curve equation by integration.

wXL wX 2 wX 2L wX 3 wL3
∫
θ EI = M dx = ∫ 2
−
2
dx y EI = ∫ θ EI dx =
4 ∫
−
6
−
24
dx

wX 2L wX 3 wX 3L wX 4 wL3 X
θ EI = − + C1 y EI = − − + C2
4 6 12 24 24
at X = L / 2, θ = 0 at X = 0, y = 0
w (0 ) L w (0 )
3 2 3 4
⎛L⎞ ⎛L⎞ wL3 (0)
w⎜ ⎟ w⎜ ⎟ L C2 = − − =0
wL3
C1 = ⎝ ⎠ − ⎝ ⎠ = −
2 2 12 24 24
6 4 24 y=
wX
24 EI
(
2LX 2 − X 3 − L3 )
wX 2L wX 3 wL3
θ EI = − − Equation for the
4 6 24 Equation for slope
of elastic curve elastic curve