Moment-Area Method Bending Moment Diagrams by Parts

The moment-area method is

Application of the moment-area theorems is practical only if the area under the
useful for determining the slope or
deflection of a beam at a specified location. bending moment diagram and its first moment can be calculated without difficulty. The
It is a semi-graphical method in which the key to simplifying the computation is to divide the bending moment diagram into
integration of the bending moment is simple geometric shapes (rectangles, triangles, and parabolas) that have known
carried out indirectly, using the geometric areas and centroidal coordinates. Construction of the bending moment diagram by
properties of the area under the bending
parts for simply supported beams proceeds as follows:
moment diagram.
 Calculate the simple support reactions and consider them to be applied loads.
 Introduce a fixed support at a convenient location. A simple support of the
original beam is usually a good choice, but sometimes another point is more
Moment-Area Theorems convenient. The beam is now cantilevered from this support.
Theorem 1: The change in slope between any two points on the elastic curve equals
the area of the M/EI diagram between these two points.  Draw a bending moment diagram for each load (including the support
reactions). If all the diagrams can be fitted on a single plot, do so.

Theorem 2: The vertical deviation of the tangent at a point (A) on the elastic curve
with respect to the tangent extended from another point (B) equals the “moment” of
the area under the M/EI diagram between the two points (A and B). This moment is
computed about point A (the point on the elastic curve), where the deviation is to be
determined.

Rules of Sign:

1. The deviation at any point is positive if the point lies above the tangent, negative if
the point is below the tangent.
2. Measured from left tangent, if θ is counter-clockwise, the change of slope is
positive, negative if θ is clockwise.
Sample Problem #1: Notes:
Compute the value of EIy at point B for the
simply supported beam ABC.

Sample Problem #2:

For the simply supported beam ABCD,
determine the values of EIy at (a) point B;
and (b) point C.

Sample Problem #3:

Determine the value of EIy at point
A of the overhanging beam ABC.

Sample Problem #4:

Determine the displacement at point
B of the cantilever beam ABC. Use
E = 10 GPa and I = 30 x 106 mm4.

Sample Problem #5:

The steel cantilever beam consists of two
cylindrical segments with the diameters
shown. Determine the maximum
displacement of the beam due to the 420-lb
concentrated load. Use E=29 x 106 psi for
steel.
Sample Problem #6:
Determine the value of the maximum
deflection for the beam loaded by two
concentrated forces.