410 Construction Technology

UNIT 6
Shear Force and Bending
Moment
Learning Objectives
• The basic purpose of the subject of strength of materials (or) structural
mechanics is to study the forces that are produced at any structure when
it is subjected to external loads or forces.
• This units introduces many fundamental aspects of the subject.
• Structural analysis and structural design including Steel and R.C.C.
Design, unless he is able to draw Shear Force and Bending moment
Diagrams for various types of structures with reasonable amount of
confidence.
Beam
A beam is a horizontal structural member which, is designed to easily
tranverse loads. In some cases, a beam may be slightly inclined to the horizontal
which is called an inclined beam.
Classification of Beams
Beams are classified as several groups depending primarily on the kind and
number of supports used and also their position. The following way we can
classify.
(a) Simply supported beam
(b)Cantilever Beam
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 411

(c) Over Hanging Beam

(d)Fixed Beam
(e) Continuous Beam
a. Simply Supported Beam (SSB)
It is a beam having its ends freely resting on walls or columns. If the supports
are at the ends and are either pins or rollers, the beams are called simply supported
(or) simple Beams. Fig. 6.1 (a), (b) are Simple beams with various types of
loads.

Fig 6.1 Simply supported beams

b. Cantilever Beam
A beam fixed at one end and completely free at the other end is called a
Cantilever Beam.

Fig. 6.2 (d) & (e) Shown Cantilever Beams

c. Over Hanging Beam

If a beam projects beyond a supports the beam is said to have an overhanging
beam. The combination of cantilever and a simple beams, results in an overhanging
beam.

Fig. 6.3 (f) & (g) Over hanging beams

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d. Fixed Beam
It is a beam having both its ends rigidly fixed in to its supporting walls (or)
columns. This is also known as built – in beam; encastred beam (or) Rigid beam
in fig 6.4

Fig 6.4 Fixed beam

e) Continuous Beam
A beam having more than two supports is known as continuous beam. Fig
6.5 is termed as a continuous beam. On Types of loads of Beams.

Fig 6.5 Continuous Beam

Types of Loads on Beams are as follows

a. Concentrated loads (or) point loads
b. Unifomly Distributed loads (u.d.l)
c. Uniformly varying (or) Gradually varying load
a. Concentrated Load (or) Point Load
A load acting at a point on a beam as shown in fig 6.6 is known as
concentrated (or) print load.

Fig 6.6 Point Loads

Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 413

b. Uniformly distributed Load. (UdL)

A load which is spread over a beam in such a manner that each unit length
is loaded to the same extent as shown in fig. 6.7 is known as uniformly distributed
load (u.d.l)

Fig 6.7 Uniformly Distributed Load

For all calculations the total u. d. l is assumed to act at the centre of gravity
of the load.
c. Uniformly varying (or) Gradually varying load
A load which is spread over a beam, in such a manner that its extent varies
uniformly on each unit length as shown in fig 6.8 is known as uniformly varying
load.

Fig 6.8 Uniformly Varying Load

Types of Supports
1. Simple Support: A simple Support offers only vertical reaction. There
will not be any resistance against horizontal moment and rotation of the member.
In other words, at simple support moment is zero and slope is maximum.
2. Roller Support: It is similar to a simple support and offers vertical
reaction and facilitate the horizontal moment of end.
3. Hinge Support: A hinge Support in one is which the position is fixed
but not the directions. In other words a hinged support offers resistance against
vertical and horizontal moments but not against rotation. It is also known as pin
joint”
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4. Fixed support: A fixed support is one in which both position and

directions are fixed. It offers resistance against vertical and horizontal moments
and against rotation of the member.
Shear Force and Bending Moment
Shear Force
The Shear force at any section of a beam is equal to the algebraic sum of all
the forces to the left (or) to the right of the section. It is the verical force, one
part of the beam exerts on the other part at any transverse section.
The graphical representation of shear force along the length of the beam is
known as “Shear Force Diagram” (SFD).

1. Sign Convention for Shear Force

Left Up () -- Right down ( ) : Positive

Left Down () - Right Up ( ) : Negative

Fig 6.9

Simply it can be remembered as

RUN -Rigtht Upward Negative
LUP - Left UPward Positive
Bending Moment
Bending moment at a section is defined as the algebraic sum of moments of
all forces acting either to the left (or) to the right of the section about the section
considered.
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 415

The Graphical representation of bending moment along the length of the

beam is known as “Bending Moment Diagram (BMD)”
1. Sign Convention for B.M

Fig 6.10 Sagging +ve BM +VE

Left Colckwise - Right Anticlockwise

(Sagging B.M +ve) - Convexity downward
Left Anticlockwise - Right Colck wise
(Hogging B.M -ve) - Convexity Upward
Note: Simply supported beam always causes sagging bending moment
where as cantilever beam always causes hogging bending moment.
Point of Contraflexure
Point of Contraflexure is defined as the point in the beam where the bend-
ing moment changes its sign. In other words at this point bending moment is
zero.
Typical Cases of Shear Force and Bending Moment Dia-
grams
Simply Supported Beam with Central Point Load

Fig 6.11 SFD & BMD

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Since the Load is at centre and symmertical.

W
RA RB 
2
S. F. at any section in the left half of the beam

W
   ve  (Right upward -ve)
2
S. F. at any section in the right half of the beam

W
   ve  (Left upward +ve)
2
B.M. at supports = 0

 M A  MB  0

W L WL
B.M at Mid span M    (sagging) +ve
2 2 4

Simply Supported Beamwith U.D.L. on Entire Span

Fig 6.12

Total load on the Beam  w  L  wL

Since the load is symmetrical

wL
Reactions R A  R B 
2
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 417

S.F at any section ‘x’ distance from left support

WL WL
Fx   0
2 2
at x = L, Shear force at mid span = 0
2
B.M at any section ‘x’ distance from left (or) right support

wL x
Mx  x  wx.
2 2

wL wx 2
 x (sagging  ve)
2 2
B.M at supports when x = 0

 MA  MB  0

L
B.M at mind span when x
2
2
wL  L  w  L 
 Mc     
2 2 2 2

wL2 wL2 2wL2  wL2 wL2

     ve (sagging).
4 8 8 8
Simply Supported Beam with Eccentric Concentrated Load

Fig 6.13
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The load is acting at eccentric point. Hence it is unsymmetrical load. Cal-

culate the reactions using equations of Equilibrium.
We know that the moment at simply supported ends is zero.

Moment About ‘A’ & about ‘B’ is zero

 MA  M B  0

Taking Moments about ‘A’

R A 1  P  b  0

Pb
 RA 
1
Upward forces = Down ward forces

RA  RB  P
Pb
 RB  P
l

Pb Pl  Pb P  a  b   Pb
RB P   
1 j l
Pa  P b  Pb P a
 
1 1
Pb Pa
∴ RA  1 ; RB  1

B.M. at ‘C’

Pb Pab
Mc  a  Sagging  ve
l l
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 419

Cantilever Beam With a Concentrated Load at Free End

Fig 6.14

S.F at any section of the beam = W (Right down ward +ve)

B.M at support  w  L Hogging  ve

  wL

L
wx hogging  ve
2
B.M. at Mid span  wL

2

B.M at any section ‘x’ distance from free end

 wx hogging  ve
  wx

Cantilever with U.D.L. Throughout

Fig 6.15
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S.F at any section ‘x’ distance from free end

Fx = wx (Right down ward +ve)
S.F at any free end = 0
S.F at fixed end = wL +ve
B.M at any section ‘x’ distance from free end.

x wx 2
M x  wx.  (Hogging -ve)
2 2
at x=L

 wL2
 B.M at fixed end 
2
B.M at free end =0

L
at x 
2
2
 w  L   wL2
B.M at mid span      Hogging  ve 
2 2 8
Simply Supported Beam with Several Concentrated Loads

Fig 6.16
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 421

P1a1  P2a 2  P3a 3

RB 
l
R A  P1  P2  P3  R B
M1  R A a1
M 2  R A a 2  P1  a 2  a1 
M 3  R Bb 3

After analysing the above general cases of Sheaf Force and Bending Mo-
ment diagrams, the above conclusions can be drawn.
Important Results
1. The rate of change of shear force at any section is equal to the intensity
of load at that section.
2. The rate of change of bending moment at any section is equal to the
shear force at that section.
Important Conclusions
1. Sheat force diagram for the concentrated loads is in the shape of rect
angle and for u.d.l is in the shape of triangle.
2. Bending moment diagram for concentrated loads is straight line.
3. Bending moment diagram for u.d.l is curvature in nature.
4. Simply supported beam always causes sagging bending moment (+ve)
5. Cantilever beam always causes hogging bending moment (-ve)

Solved Examples
Example 6.1
A contilever of span 4m carries an uniformly distributed load of 3kN/m on
whole span. Determine maximum shear force and maximum bending moment.
Solution
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Fig 6.17

Shear force at free and

FB  0
Shear Force at fixed end

FA  wl (Right downward +ve)

  3  4  12kN
Bending moment at free end

MB  0
Bending moment at fixed end

l
MA  w  l    ve  Hogging
2

 wl 2

2

3  4 2

2
  24kNm
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 423

Example 6.2
A cantilever beam 6m long carries a four point loads of 10kN, 20kN,
30kN and 40kN of 2m, 3m, 4m and 6m respectively from fixed end. draw S.F
and B.M. diagram.
Solution

Fig 6.18

SFD :

Shear force at 'E 'FE   40kN Right downward (+ve)

Shear force at 'D 'FD   40  30  70 kN

Shear force at 'C 'FC  40  30  20  90kN

Shear force at 'B'FB  40  30  20  10 100kN

There is no load between A&B Hence

Shear force at ‘A’ = Shear force at B = 100 kN
BMD :

B.M at free end M E  0

B.M at ‘D’ M D   40  2

  80kNm (Hogging -ve)

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B.M at ‘C’ M C   40  3  30  1

  120  30

  150kNm (Hogging -ve)

B.M. at ‘B’ M B   40  4  30  2  20  1

  160  60  20

  240kNm (Hogging -ve)

B.M at ‘A’ M A   40  6  30  4  20  3  10  2

  240  120  60  20

  440kNm (Hogging -ve)

Example 6.3
A Cantilever beam of 4m long carries an u.d.l of 2 kN/m for 1m from fixed
end and 4kN/m for 1m from the free end. Draw SFD and BMD.
Solution
Reaction at ‘A’

R A  2  1  4  1  2  4  6kN
Shear forces
S.F just after ‘A’ = 6kN

S.F between A to C  6  2  1  4kN

S.F between C to D  6  2  1  4kN

S.F between D to B  6  2  1  4kN

S.F between D to B  6  2  1  4  1  0  zero 

Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 425

Fig 6.19

Bending Moments
B.M at B=0

1
B.M at D    4  1  2kNm
2
1 
B.M at C    4  1   2    10kNm
2 
1  1
B.M at A    4  1   3   2 1 1  15kNm
2  2

Example 6.4
Draw the S.F.D for the cantilever shown below

Solution
Reaction

Upward reaction at ' A '  3  1  5  2  1

 3  5  2  10kN
426 Construction Technology

Fig 6.20

Shear Force

Shear Force at 'E 'FE  0

Shear Force at 'D 'FD  3 1  3kN (Right down wards +ve)

Shear Force at 'C 'FC   3 1  5  8 kN   ve 

Shear Force at 'B'FB  3 1  5  8kN   ve 

Shear Force at 'A 'FA  3 1  5  2 1

 3  5  3  10kN   ve 

Example 6.5
A simply supported beam of span 7m. carries a concentrated load of 70
kN at a distance of 3m from right support. Draw S.F. and B.M. diagrams.
Solution
Reactions
Taking moments about ‘B’
i.e., MB = 0
RA x 7 - 70 x 3 = 0
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 427

RA = 30 KN
RA + RB = 70 KN
30 + RB = 70 kN
RB = 70 - 30 = 40 kN

Fig 6.21

Shear Force

S.F at ‘B’ FB   40kN (Right upward -ve)

S.F at ‘C’ FC   40  70  30kN

S.F. at ‘A’ FA   30kN (Left upward +ve)

Bending moment

B.M at ‘B’ M B  0

B.M at ‘A’ M A  0

B.M at ‘C’ M C  R A  4

 30  4  120kNm
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Example 6.6
Calculate the maximum shear force and bending moment for the cantilver
name as shown in fig. 6.22
Solution

Fig 6.22

Reaction
Upward reaction at ‘A’

R A  2  3  10  6  10  16kN
Shear Force

Shear Force at 'B'FB  0

Shear Force at 'D 'FD  2  3  6kN (Right downward +ve)

Shear Force at 'C 'FC  2  3  10  16kN   ve 

Bending moment

B.M. at ‘B’ MB  0

3
B.M at ‘D’ MD   2  3   ve Hogging   9kNm
2

3 
B.M at ‘C’ MC   2  3   2 
2 
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 429

  2  3  3.5   21kNm (-ve Hogging)

B.M. at ‘A’ MA = -2 x 3 x (4 + 1.5) - 10 x 2
= -2 x 3 x 5.5 - 10 x 2
= -33 - 20 = -53 kNm (-ve Hogging)
Example 6.7
Draw the SFD for the following cantilever beam.

Fig 6.23

Solution

Reaction at ‘A’ R A  2  4  1  7M

Shear force between A to C = 7N

S.F between C to D = 7-2=5N
S.F between D to B = 7-2-4 = 1N
Example 6.8
Name any three types of beams according to the support conditions.
Solution
According to the support conditions the beams are.
(i) Simply supported beam
(ii) Cantilever beam
(iii) Fixed beam
(iv) Over hang beam
(v) Continous beam
430 Construction Technology

Example 6.9
A cantilever beam of span 3m carries point loads of 2kN, 1kN at 1m, 2m
and 3m from support. Find maximum shear force and maximum. B.M

Solution

Maximum S.F at ‘A’ FA 1  4  2  7kN

Maximum B.M ‘A’  1 3  4  2  2 1

38 2

13kNm (Hogging -ve)

Example 6.10
A cantilever beam 3m long carries a u.d.l of 4kN/m over its entire span.
Draw SFD and BMD.
Solution
Shear Force

Shear Force at 'B' FB  0

Shear Force at 'A 'FA  4  3

 12kN (+ve) (Right down ward +ve)

Bending Moment

B.M at ‘B’ M B  0

l 3
B.M at ‘A’ M A   w  l   4  3 
2 2

  18kNm (Hogging -ve)

Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 431

Fig 6.24

Example 6.11
A simply supported beam of span 6m carries a udl of 10kN/m over the
entire span. Draw Shear Force and Bending Moment diagrams.
Solution

Fig 6.25

Reaction

wl 10  6
RA  RB    30kN
2 2
Shear Force

Shear Force at ‘B’ FB  R B  30kN (-ve) (Right upward -ve)

Shear Force at ‘A’ FA   R A  30kN   ve  (Left upward +ve)

432 Construction Technology

Bending Moment
B,M at A = B.M at ‘B’ = 0

MA  MB  0

3
B.M at ‘C’, M C   R A  3  10  3 
2

 30  3  5  3  3
 90  45  45kNM
Example 6.13
Draw SFD and BMD for the simply supported beam shown in Figure
below.
Solution

Fig 6.25

Taking moment about ‘B’

R A  5  15  4  10  2  0

6R A  60  20  0

80
RA   13.33kN
6

R A  R B 15  10

13.33  R B  25
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 433

 R B  25  13.33 11.67kN
Shear Force

S.F at ‘B’ FB   R B  1167kN (Right upward -ve)

S.F at ‘D” FD = -11.67 + 10 = -1.67 kN

S.F at ‘A’ FA   R A   13.33 (Left upward +ve)

S.F at ‘C’ FC   13.33  15

 1.67kN
Bending Moment

MA  0

MB  0

B.M at ‘C’ M C  R A  2  13.33  2

 26.66kNm  ve (Sagging)

B.M at ‘D’ M D  R B  2  16.67  2

 23.3 kNm +ve (Sagging)

Example 6.14
A horizantal beam of 12m long simply supported at it ends, is subjected to
vertical loads of 10kN, 20kN and 25kN at 3m, 7m and 10m from left support
respectively. Draw shear force and bending moment diagrams indicating values
at salient points.
Solution

Fig 6.26
434 Construction Technology

Reaction
The beam is subjected to unsymmertical loading system. Therefore the
reactions at supports are to be first determined.

MA  MB  0

 Taking moments about ‘B’

 RA 12 109  205  25 2  0

240
RA   20kN
12

v  0

 Upward forces = Down ward forces

R A  R B 10  20  25
20  R B  10  20  25
 R B  35kN

Shear Forces

Sheat Force at ‘B’ FB   R B

  35kN  Right upward  ve 

Shear Force at ‘E’ FE   35  25

  10kN  Right upward  ve 

Shear Forces at ‘D’ FD   35  25  20

10 kN  Right downward  ve 

Shear forces at ‘A’ FA   R A  20kN (Left upward +ve)

Shear Forces at ‘C’ FC   20  10

10 kN  Left upward  ve 

Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 435

Bending Moment
Considering forces on the left side of each section

B.M at A. MA  0

B.M at C, M C  20  3  60kNm (sagging +ve)

B.M at D, M D  20  7  10  4

 100 kNm (sagging  ve)

Considering forces on the right side of section.

B.M at ‘B’ MB  0

B.M at ‘E’, M E  35  2

 70kNm (Sagging +ve)

 The maximum B.M is 100kNm at ‘D’ (7m from left support) the shear
force and B.M diagrams are shown in Fig. 6.26.
Example 6.16
Draw shear force and B.M diagram for a simply for a simply supported
beam loaded as shown below

Find the postition and value of maximum B.M that will occur in the Beam.
Solution
Rections
Taking Moments about ‘A’

R B  5  0.5  1.5  2  2  0.5  2  4  0

10.25
 RB   2.05kN
5
436 Construction Technology

 RARB  0.511.5 2 0.5 2

R A   0.5  3  1  2.05

 2.45kN

Fig 6.27

Shear Forces

Shear Forces ‘A’ FA   R A  2.45kN (Left upward +ve)

Shear Force at ‘C’ FC   2.45  0.5 1.0

 1.95kN (Left upward +ve)

Shear Force at ‘B’ FB   R B

  2.05 kN (Right upward -ve)

Shear Force at ‘D’ FD   2.05  0.5  2

1.05 kN (Right upward -ve)

The S.F diagram is shown in Fig 6.27
Bending Moment

B.M at ‘A’ MA  0

B.M at ‘B’ MB  0
Paper - III Engineering Mechanics 437

1
B.M at ‘C’ M C  2.45  1  0.5  1
2

 2.2 kNm (Sagging +ve)

2
B.M at ‘D’ M D  2.05  2  0.5  2 
2

 3.1kNm (Sagging +ve)

Bending Moment diagram shown in Fig. 5.29 (c)
Maximum Bending Moment
Maximum B.M. occur at a point where S.F. changes its sign. Let ‘M’ be
the point where S.F. changes sign. From similar triangle Principle.

x 2x
 where x = distance between ‘C’ and ‘M’
1.95 1.05
1.05x 3.9 -1.95x

3.9
x  1.3m
3

1.3
M max  2.45  2.3  0.5  1 1.8  1.5 1.3 
2

 5.635  0.9  1.267

 3.468  3.47 kNm.

 Maximum B.M occurs at a distance of 2.3 m from left support of mag-

nitude 3.47kNm.
Short Answer Type Questions
1. List and Explain with neat sketches the different types of beams.
2. Explain the term “point of contraflexure”.
3. Define the terms.
a) Shear force at a section.
438 Construction Technology

b) Bending moment at a section.

4. A simply supported beam of 4m long has a point load of 20kN at its
centre. Determine the maximum S.F and B.M
[Ans : S.F = 10kN ; BM = 20 kNm]
Long Answer Type Questions
1. A contilever of span 6 m carries two point loads of 2 kN and 3 kN at a
distance of 1 m and 6 m from the fixed end respectively. in addititon to this,
beam also carries a u.d.l of 1 kN/m over length of 2 m at a distance of 3m from
the fixed end. Draw the S.F and B.M. diagrams.
[Ans: Max. S.F = 7 kN; Max B.M = -28kNM]
2. A 5m cantilever carries a point load of 20kN at the free end and a u.d.l
of 10kN/m over a length of 3 m from the fixed end. Draw S.F. and B.M
diagrams.
[Ans: Max. SF = 50kN; Max B.M = -145kNm]
3. A cantilever AB is 8m long and is fixed at ‘A’, it carries point loads of 20
kN, 16kN and 24kN at 2m, 7m and 8m respectively from the fixed end. Draw
S.F and B.M diagrams. Find the maximum SF and BM.
[Ans: Max. SF = 60kN ; Max. BM =-344kNm]
4. A simply supported beam of span 5 m is loaded with concentrated loads
of 5 kN, 10 kN and 15 N at adistance of 1m, 2m and 3m from left hand support
respectively. Draw S.F. and B.M diagrams and indicate the values at salient
points.
[ Ans: Max. SF= 16kN ; Max. BM = 28kNm]
5. A simply supported beam of 10 m span is loaded with joint loads of
20kN, 40kN, and 20kN at 2m, 5m and 8m from left support respectively.
Draw the S.F and B.M diagrams and mark the values at salient points.
[Ans: Max. S.F. = 40kN ; Max. B.M. = 140kNm]
6. A simply supported beam ABC with supports at A and B, 6 meters apart
on with an overhang BC2 meters long carries a u.d.l of 15kN/m over the whole
length. Draw S.F. and B.M. diagrams.
[Ans: Max. SF = 80kN ; Max. B.M = 53.3kNm]