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The first step in any beam problem is to calculate the reaction forces at the supports. To do this we must consider that the beam
is in static equilibrium. This means that we balance or resolve the forces acting on the beam.
After finding all the forces acting on the beam we can draw a free body diagram (FBD) and then balance these forces for static
equilibrium.
DL Forces from 0m to 6m
10 kN/m 60 kN 10 kN/m
xx(m)
0 3 6 /2
Start by finding the equivalent loads caused by the distributed loads (DLs).
Remember that the equivalent load of a DL has a magnitude equal to its area, acting through the area's centroid.
6m − 0m
Rectangular Load Position: 0m + = +3m
2
A fixed No 0
B roller No 6
Stiffness Factors
To calculate the stiffness factors of each beam segment connected to each participating joint, use the following formula:
SAB EI
kAB =
LAB
SAB = the stiffness constant of the beam segment AB, which can be taken as:
The total joint stiffness is the sum of the left-hand side and right-hand side stiffness factors:
KB = kBA + kBC
Distribution Factors
The distribution factor of the sides of the joints is that side's stiffness factor divided the joint stiffness factor.
Note that for beams with continuous EI, there is no need to calculate these terms as they cancel:
kBA
DFBA =
KB
Members
The beam segments are tabulated below with the left and right hand fixity that will be used to determine end moments. Joints which
areparticipating are considered fixed as they will be locked during the analysis, otherwise joints are considered not to resist bending.
AB fixed pinned 6
Segment 1
Distributed Loads 1
Load ω = 10 kN /m
Left Hand Moment LH M = 45 kN m
2
ω× L
LH M =
8
2
10 kN /m × 36 m
LH M =
8
LH M = 45 kN m
2
ω× L
RH M =
8
2
10 kN /m × 36 m
RH M =
8
RH M = 0 kN m
1 45 kN m 0 kN m
Σ 45 kN m 0 kN m
Moment Distribution
A B
Σ Σ
45 kN m 0 kN m
Segment Reactions
Variables used for this section
Distance between start of segment and start of load a
Distance between start of load and end of load b
Segment 1
Take the sum of the moments about the left support
Σ ML = +(−10 kN /m × 6 m × (0 m + 6 m × 0.500)) + 45 kN m + 0 kN m
Σ ML = −135 kN m
Σ MR = −(−10 kN /m × 6 m × (6 m − 0 m − 6 m × 0.500)) + 45 kN m + 0 kN m
Σ MR = 225 kN m
Divide the sum of the moments about the right support by the length to get the reaction at left support
ΣMR
RyL = = 37.5 kN
L
RyR = 22.5 kN
Joint Reactions
A B
Ry 37.5 kN 22.5 kN
M 45 kN m 0
You should aim to 'cut' the beam between loads, supports and along distributed loads. After taking a cut you simply consider
equilibirium in the y-axis (i.e. let the sum of the forces in the y-axis equal zero and solve for the unknown shear force V).
If you follow this procedure for every cut/section then you will Find the equation of shear force for every segment of the beam
and therefore you can create the shear force diagram (SFD).
V1
(x)
37.5 kN
x (m)
0 x 6
b × h = −10x = −10x
+ ↑ ΣFy = 0
You should aim to 'cut' the beam between loads, supports and along distributed loads. After taking a cut you simply consider
equilibirium about the point of the cut (i.e. let the sum of the moment about the cut equal zero and solve for the unknown
bending moment M).
If you follow this procedure for every cut/section then you will find the equation of bending moment for every segment of the
beam and therefore you can create the bending moment diagram (BMD).
45 kN-m M1
(x)
x
37.5 kN
/2
x (m)
0 x 6
b × h = −10x = −10x
x
2
So the moment force is: (−10x) ( ) = −5x
2
+ ↻ ΣMx = 0
2
+ (37.5) (x − 0) − 45 + [−5x ] − M1 (x) = 0
2
M1 (x) = −45 + 37.5x − 5x
2
∴ M1 (x) = −45 + 37.5x − 5x for 0 ≤ x ≤ 6
M (x) = ∫ V (x) dx
The integration method is one of the most common and simple methods to calculate the moment. This is an alternative method
to using the method of sections/cuts as shown in the previous section of the hand calculations.
We start at the left side of the beam and we use the known value of the moment to calculate the constant of integration in the
first moment equation, M1 (x). If there is a Fixed Support on the left side of the beam then the moment value at x = 0 is the
value of the moment reaction. Otherwise, the value of the moment is zero at x = 0.
For all other moment equations apart from the first moment equation, the Continuity Condition is used to determine the values
of the constants of integration.
2
M1 (x) = −5x + 37.5x + C
At the left side of the beam (x = 0), we know the moment value is the moment reaction at the Fixed Support:
M1 (0) = −45
2
−5(0) + 37.5(0) + C = −45
0 + C = −45
C = −45
2
M1 (x) = −5x + 37.5x − 45
Here the internal moment M must be expressed as a function of the x coordinates that extend across the beam. The constants
of integration are obtained from the boundary conditions at the pin, roller or fixed supports:
a) For a fixed support, the boundary condition states that the beam cannot deflect or rotate. This means that both the deflection
and slope are zero at the location of the support:
θ(x) = 0
and
υ(x) = 0
b) For a pin support or roller support, the boundary condition states that the beam cannot deflect but it is free to rotate. This
means that only the deflection is zero at the location of the support:
υ(x) = 0
2 2
d υ d υ
2
EI = M1 (x) → EI = −5x + 37.5x − 45
2 2
dx dx
dυ dυ
2
EI = ∫ (−5x + 37.5x − 45) dx and = θ(x) is the Slope
dx dx
3 2
−5x 37.5x
EI θ1 (x) = + − 45x + C1
3 2
3 2
EI θ1 (x) = −1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x + C1
1
3 2
θ1 (x) = (−1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x + C1 )
EI
1
3 2
∫ θ1 (x) dx = ∫ (−1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x + C1 ) dx
EI
4 3 2
1 −1.6667x 18.75x −45x
υ1 (x) = ( + + C1 x + C2 )
EI 4 3 2
1
4 3 2
υ1 (x) = (−0.4167x + 6.25x − 22.5x + C1 x + C2 )
EI
According the type of support, we can use the next boundary conditiones for substituting these results into equations:
Pin: θ ≠ 0, υ = 0
Roller: θ ≠ 0, υ = 0
Fixed: θ = 0, υ = 0
1
3 2
(−1.6667(0) + 18.75(0) − 45(0) + C1 ) = 0
EI
3 2
−1.6667(0) + 18.75(0) − 45(0) + C1 = 0
0 + C1 = 0
C1 = 0
1
4 3 2
(−0.4167(0) + 6.25(0) − 22.5(0) + C1 (0) + C2 ) = 0
EI
4 3 2
−0.4167(0) + 6.25(0) − 22.5(0) + C1 (0) + C2 = 0
0 + C1 (0) + C2 = 0
0C1 + C2 = 0
C2 = 0
Now that C1 and C2 are known, we can substitute them into the slope and deflection equations:
1 3 2
θ1 (x) = (−1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x + C1 )
EI
1
3 2
θ1 (x) = (−1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x)
EI
1 4 3 2
υ1 (x) = (−0.4167x + 6.25x − 22.5x + C1 x + C2 )
EI
1
4 3 2
υ1 (x) = (−0.4167x + 6.25x − 22.5x )
EI
1
4 3 2
(−0.4167(6) + 6.25(6) − 22.5(6) + C1 (6) + C2 ) = 0
EI
4 3 2
−0.4167(6) + 6.25(6) − 22.5(6) + C1 (6) + C2 = 0
0 + C1 (6) + C2 = 0
6C1 + C2 = 0
Now that C1 and C2 are known, we can substitute them into the slope and deflection equations:
1
3 2
θ1 (x) = (−1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x + C1 )
EI
1
3 2
θ1 (x) = (−1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x)
EI
1
4 3 2
υ1 (x) = (−0.4167x + 6.25x − 22.5x + C1 x + C2 )
EI
1
4 3 2
υ1 (x) = (−0.4167x + 6.25x − 22.5x x)
EI
θ(x) = 0
For 0 ≤ x ≤ 6 :
1
3 2
θ1 (x) = (−1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x)
EI
1
3 2
0 = (−1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x)
EI
3 2
0 = −1.6667x + 18.75x − 45x
x = 0 is a solution to this equation, so there is a potential maximum there. Substitute it into the deflection equation:
1 4 3 2
υ1 (x) = (−0.4167x + 6.25x − 22.5x )
EI
x = 3.45 is a solution to this equation, so there is a potential maximum there. Substitute it into the deflection equation:
1
4 3 2
υ1 (x) = (−0.4167x + 6.25x − 22.5x )
EI
1
4 3 2
υ1 (3.45) = (−0.4167(3.45) + 6.25(3.45) − 22.5(3.45) )
EI
1
υ1 (3.45) = (−70.1876)
EI
1
4 3 2
υ1 (x) = (−0.4167x + 6.25x − 22.5x )
EI
1
4 3 2
υ1 (0) = (−0.4167(0) + 6.25(0) − 22.5(0) )
EI
1
υ1 (0) = (0) , so this is not a maximum and we can ignore it.
EI
1
4 3 2
υ1 (x) = (−0.4167x + 6.25x − 22.5x )
EI
1
4 3 2
υ1 (6) = (−0.4167(6) + 6.25(6) − 22.5(6) )
EI
1
υ1 (6) = (0) , so this is not a maximum and we can ignore it.
EI
−70.1876
∴ The absolute maximum deflection in the above equations is: at x = 3.45
EI