OWM2B – 2017

Tutorial
Bending Moment and Shear Force diagram

Question 1
15 Marks
In order to calibrate the digital readout of a hydraulic cylinder a cantilever beam with a width of
75mm, a height of 150mm and a weight of 850 N/m is fitted with strain gauges to determine the
actual force exerted. The cylinder is placed at a distance of 5 m from the supporting structure.
The steel used has a yield strength of 350 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 200 GPa. Using
the principle of super positioning calculate the deflection and end slope that can be expected if
the cylinder exerts a maximum force of 10 000 N at the end of the beam.
 Question 2
25
Marks
A beam is loaded and supported as shown in the figure. For this beam
(a) Calculate the reaction forces
(b) Determine the equations for the shear force and the bending moment as
functions of x.
(c) Draw complete shear force and bending moment diagrams.

ΣMB = 0
6RE = 1200+1[6(100)]
RE = 300N

ΣME = 0
6RB+1200 = 5[6(100)]
RB = 300N

Segment AB:
VAB = −100xN
MAB = −100x(x/2)
MAB = −50x2 Nm

Segment BC:
VBC = −100x + 300 = −100x+300 N
MBC = −100x(x/2) + 300(x−2)
MBC = −50x2 + 300x − 600Nm
 Segment CD:
VCD = −100(6) + 300 N = −300 N

MCD = −100(6)(x−3) + 300(x−2)

MCD = − 600x + 1800 + 300x − 600
MCD = − 300x + 1200 Nm

Segment DE:
VDE = −100(6)+300 = −300 N

MDE = −100(6)(x−3)+1200+300(x−2)
MDE = −600x+1800+1200+300x−600
MDE = −300x+2400 Nm
To draw the Shear Diagram:

1. VAB = -100x is linear; at x = 0, VAB = 0;

at x = 2 m, VAB = -200 N.
2. VBC = 300 - 100x is also linear; at x = 2 m, VBC =
100 N; at x = 4 m, VBC = -300 N. When VBC = 0, x
= 3 m, or VBC =0 at 1 m from B.
3. The shear is uniformly distributed at -300 lb along
segments CD and DE.

To draw the Moment Diagram:

1. MAB = -50x2 is a second degree curve; at x= 0,

MAB = 0; at x = 2m, MAB = -200 Nm.
2. MBC = -50x2 + 300x - 600 is also second degree; at
x = 2 m; MBC = -200 Nm; at x = 6 m, MBC = -600
Nm; at x = 3 m, MBC = -150 Nm.
3. MCD = -300x + 1200 is linear; at x = 6 m, MCD = -
600 Nm; at x = 7 m, MCD = -900 Nm.
4. MDE = -300x + 2400 is again linear; at x = 7 m,
MDE = 300 Nm; at x = 8 m, MDE = 0.
Question 3
25 Marks
A truck with dimensions and loading similar to that in the figure has to pass over a lightweight
bridge with a span of 25m between supports. The bridge itself has a weight of 4500 N/m.
Determine the shear force and bending moment diagrams for the loading of the bridge when the
middle wheel is in the centre of the bridge. Determine the maximum bending moment that the
bridge structure has to withstand.

Solution
 Maximum
Moment Mmax
= 1800 Nm
QUESTION 4 (25)
Experimental measurement yielded stress values for an element in plane stress as shown in the sketch.
Using these values,
a) draw the Mohr-circle representing the stress condition
b) calculate the principle normal and shear stresses
c) determine the orientation of the principle axes
d) determine the angle of maximum shear