6.

3 Constructing Influence Lines

using the Muller-Breslau
Principle
There is an alternate to the equilibrium method for constructing influence lines. This method
is based on the Müller-Breslau Principle, and may also be called qualitative influence lines.
This method allows us to draw influence lines faster than if we used the equilibrium
calculations described in the previous section. In fact, it is likely that if we wanted to
construct a shear or moment influence line using the method, then we would not have to
find the reaction influence lines for the structure first.
Similar Triangles
Before explaining the Müller-Breslau Principle, it is useful to review the concept of similar
triangles, which you will likely have studied previously at the high-school level. The concept
of similar triangles is illustrated in Figure 6.6.