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Structural Analysis of Beams for Engineering Students

Author

David J Hamilton, BSc(Hons) CEng MICE

Abstract

This tutorial paper illustrates the traditional hand calculation methods of structural analysis to
determine the shear force and bending moment diagrams for statically determinate beams of
differing support conditions and loading.

Case (i) start with a simple beam case to illustrate the general approach:

P=20kN
5m 5m

HA

RA RB

∑ Forces = 20kN Σ Reac4ons = ∑ Forces = 20kN

• Take moments about A,

20 x 5 = RB X 10

RB = 10kN

RA = 20 - 10 = 10kN

• Shear Forces Along Beam :

Visualise a series of “cuts” of the beam from left to right (A to B):

1st cut just to the RHS of support A:

Only one shear force is acting = RA = 10kN

2nd cut just to RHS of 20kN point load

Shear force = 10kN – 20kN = -10kN

(Forces act in opposing direction)

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Take 3rd cut just to LHS of support B:

Shear force = 10 – 20 = 10kN

(Check = RB)

Shear Force Diagram (SFD):

10kN

A
+ B

- -10kN

End shears = End reactions

• Bending Moments Along Beam

As before, visualise “cuts” along the beam from left to right, A to B

1st cut just to the RHS of support A

Moment at A is zero, as support is pinned (allows free rotation)

To the right of A, a moment is generated about the cut line by RA

x
acting upwards with a lever arm x, where x is a distance along the
span to any point under consideration, this moment is increasing as
x is increased from Support A.

2ND cut at LHS of point load

X can be taken as 5m, take moments about the cut line

x
BM at x = 5m; RA x 5 = 10 x 5 = 50kNm

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3rd cut just to LHS of support B

Take moments about the cut line:

Moment at B = (RA x 10) – (20 x 5)

Moment at B = (10 x 10) – (20 x 5) = zero

Bending Moment Diagram (BMD):

50kNm

0kNm 0 kNm
A B

Case (ii) introducing further loading types + cantilever, & follow similar approach as above

P=20kN
4m 8m 4m

WUDL = 5kN/m

HA
RA RB

∑ Forces = 20kN + (4 x 5) = 40kN Σ Reac4ons = ∑ Forces = 40kN

• Take moments about A,

RB x 12 = (20x4) +[(4 x 5)x14] note: moments due to P & WUDL are in same rotational direction
about A

RB = (80 + 280)/12 = 30kN

RA = 40-30= 10kN

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• Shear Forces Along Beam :

Visualise a series of “cuts” of the beam from left to right (A to B):

1st cut to RHS of support A

Only shear force acting is RA =10kN

2nd cut at RHS of 25kN point load

Sum of shear forces = RA – P = 10 – 25 = -15kN

(Opposing directions)

3rd cut to LHS of support B

Sum of shear forces =

RA – P = 10 – 25 = -15kN

4rd cut just to RHS of support B

Sum of shear forces to left of cut =

R A – P + RB =

10 – 25 + 30 = 15kN

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Shear Force Diagram (SFD):

15kN
10kN 10kN
RB =
A
+ B 0kN 30kN

-
-15kN -15kN

Discussion: note the triangular shear force diagram shape due to the UDL. Support shear forces =
support reactions.

• Bending Moments Along Beam

As before, visualise “cuts” along the beam from left to right, A to B

x 1st cut to RHS of support A

Reaction A generates a moment about the cut line which increases

with increasing x.

The moment at position A (pinned connection) is zero.

2nd cut just to LHS of 25kN Point Load

X can be taken as 4m, take moments about the cut line

BM at x = 4m is (RA x 4)= (10x4) = 40kNm

3rd cut just at LHS of support B

Take moments about cut line:

BM at LHS of B (x0=8.0m)

= (RA x 12)-(25 X 8)

=(10x12)–200 = -80kNm

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4th cut at RHS of B.

Since rest of span is free cantilever,

the moment at the free end is zero

Bending Moment Diagram (BMD):

-40kNm

B 0kNm
0kNm

A
X0= 6.667m

-80kNm

Discussion: The parabolic shape of the BM is due to the UDL on the cantilever span. The shear force
diagram shape equals the gradient of the BM diagram. For point loads, the resultant bending
moments is triangular in shape with a constant gradient on the shapes sides, hence there will a
constant shear force value along that length of the beam. For UDLs, the BM profile is parabolic and
the shape gradient is constantly changing along the length of the span under consideration, giving a
varying shear force value. Refer to the associated shear force diagram for this case. For combined
load types, the associated SFD and BMD shapes can be superimposed.

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Case (iii) Beam with reverse loading

P1 = 5kN P2 = 10kN

wUDL = 5kN/m

HB
2m 2m 10m 4m
RA RB

∑ Forces = 5 + (5x10) – 10 = 45kN Σ Reac4ons = ∑ Forces = 45kN

• Take moments about A,

RB x 10 + (10x14) + (5x2) = [(5x10)x5] note: moments due to RB, P1 & P2 are in same rotational
direction about A

RB = (250–140-10)/10 = 10kN

RA = 45-10= 35kN

• Shear Forces Along Beam :

Visualise a series of “cuts” of the beam from left to right:

1st cut at LHS of support A

Sum of shear forces = 5kN

Cantilever end span, shear force will be constant along the free span
length from P1 to A & by inspection zero to LHS of P1 to free tip

2nd cut at RHS of support A

Sum of shear forces = (5 - RA) = (5–10) = -5kN

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3rd cut at LHS of support B

Sum of shear forces = 5 - RA + (5x10)

= 5 – 10 + 50 = 45kN

4th cut to RHS of support B

Sum of shear forces = 5 - RA + 50 - RB

= 5 – 10 + 50 – 35 = 10kN

Cantilever end span, shear force will be

constant along the free span length to P2

Shear Force Diagram (SFD):

45kN

RB = 35kN

10kN 10kN

5kN 5kN
RA=10kN

-5kN

P1 RA RB P2

Discussion: note the parts of the SFD diagram where the shear force value is constant over a length
of the span. By inspection, this will inform the shape of the BMD noting that the gradient of the BMD
equals the shear force. Both end cantilever spans have a constant SF whilst over the length of the
main central span the SF is varying. This informs a straight line BMD profile at the end spans and a
parabolic shape over the central span.

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• Bending Moments Along Beam

As before, visualise “cuts” along the beam from left to right, A to B

1st cut at LHS of support A

BM at cut line for x =4 = 5 x (4-2) = 10kNm

Cantilever span, zero moment at free tip and an increasing BM in

generated on the span for x0>2m

2nd cut at LHS of support B

BM at cut line = (5x12) – (RAx10) + (5x10x5)

= 60 – 100 + 250 = 210kNm

Discussion: the BMD shape over the central span is due to the UDL which will tend towards a
parabolic shape. Therefore, to plot the BMD with some degree of accuracy, the BM at a series of
intermediate cut-lines can be determined. For the purposes of this case example, the BM at 1m
intervals between A & B is calculated, noting that the BM at support (xo=0m) is 10kNm as above:

Where x0 is the length along the centre span from A

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3RD cut at RHS of support

BM at cut-line:

= (5x12) – (RAx10) + (5x10x5) = 210kNm

BM at end of cantilever span is zero

Bending Moment Diagram (BMD):

210kNm

10kNm

P1 RA RB P2

Discussion: also note that the SFD profile changes direction coincident with changes in the gradient
of the BMD slope. Refer to SFD for this case.

Case (iv) – beam with locked-in moment and varying distributed load

wVDL varies 0 to 20 kN/m MC = 50kNm

HA

15m 5m

RRAA RRBB

• Take moments about A, RB x 15 = ½ x 15 x (20+0) x 15/3 + 50

RB = 800/15 = 53.3kN RA = ½ x 15 x (20+0) - RB = 96.7kN

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Shear Forces Along Beam :

Cut line RHS of support A

Shear force = RA = 96.7kN

Cut line at LHS of support B

Sum of shear forces to left of cut line:

RA – 150kN = 96.7-150 = -53.3kN

Cut line at RHS of support B

Sum of shear force to left of cut:

RA – 150 + RB = 96.7-150+53.3 = zero

Discussion: between A & B, the shear force varies from 100kN to -50kN. The load is a varying
distribution and the shape of the shear force diagram over this portion of the span will be parabolic.
Therefore, the shear force values will be calculated at a series of 1m intervals to obtain the shape.

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Using these intermediate values of shear force, the SFD can be constructed

Shear Force Diagram (SFD):

96.7kN

RA
X0= 6.06m -53.3kN
-50kN
RB

• Bending Moments Along Beam

1st cut RHS of support A

BM is zero at support but RA generates an increasing BM with

increasing xo (lever arm) as the cut line moves towards B

Next cut at LHS of support B

BM = 150 x (2/3 x 15) – RA x 15

BM = 1500 - (96.7 x 15) = -50kNm

Discussion: the end moment M = 50kNm, induces a lock-in moment along the end cantilever

MC = 50kNm

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Therefore, the resultant moment over support B is 50 + 0 = 50kNm

Discussion: the moment over B due to Mc “locks-in” a twisting acting along the span that is constant
along the end cantilever span to B & tapers to zero at support A in the gradient of M/L along the
main span = (50/15) kNm/m. Therefore, the effect of MC is an adjustment to the moment induced by
the VDL. To obtain the BM profile along the main span due to the VDL, consider cut lines at intervals
of 1m:

Bending Moment Diagram (BMD):

X0= 6.06m

BM
(kNm)

RA RB MC
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Case (v): Built-in cantilever with local UDL

B C D

RA

• Shear Force Analysis

Total load applied to beam = 5 x 20 = 100kN; RA = 100kN

Shear force to RHS of A = RA = 100kN

Shear force at LHS of B = RA = 100kN

Shear force at LHS of C = RA – (5x20) = zero Shear force at D = RA – (5x20) = zero

Shear Force Diagram (SFD):

100kN

0
A B C D
10 10 10 10

• Bending Moment Analysis:

Work from right to left of span back to main support A

BM at D = 0 BM at RHS of C = 0

BM at B, xo=8m; (20x5)x2.5 = 250kNm

BM at A = (20x5) x10.5 = 1050kNm

Discussion: by reference to the SFD, the shape of the BMD will be of straight line profile between A &
B. Between B & C the BMD gradient will change with increasing xO to a value of zero at C and
remaining at zero to the end of span at D. The area of each portion of the SFD equals the BMD
value at that point.

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Bending Moment Diagram (SFD):

1050kNm

250kNm

0kNm

A B C D
10 10 10 10

Discussion: note that the area under the SFD = (100x8) + ½(100x5) = 1050kNm. This serves as
a useful cross check between the SFD & BMD. Similarly, the area under the SFD from x0=8m =
½(100x5) = 250kNm.

Concluding Remarks

This tutorial paper is intended to assist engineering students with their understanding of
beam analysis and the development of shear force and bending moment diagrams. A
traditional hand calculation approach that is based upon visualising the beam in discrete
sections and balancing the shears and moments is presented. A range of beam
configurations and loading actions has been considered.

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