STRENGHT OF MATERIAL (SFD AND BMD) Page | 1

SF And BM Formulas

Cantilever with point load

W
x
A
B
L

W + SF

WxL
- BM

Cantilever with uniform distributed load

x
W
A
B
L

WL
+ SF

- BM
WL2/ 2
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Cantilever with gradually varying load

Wx/L

A
B
x
L

WL/ 2 Parabola
+ SF

- BM
Cubic

Simply supported with point load

W

A
B
x
L

W/ 2 + SF
- SF W/ 2

WL/ 4
+
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Simply supported with uniform distributed load

x
W
A
B
L

WL/ 2 + SF
- SF WL/ 2

+BM WL2 / 8

Effect of Concentrated Moment on SFD and BMD

Consider a simply supported beam subjected to concentrated moment as shown in
figure.
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From the BMD it is clear that at point of application of concentrated moment a

discontinuity occurs and bending moment ordinate suddenly rise or fall by an amount
equal to external applied moment.
For SFD, concentrated moment induced support reactions only
In following cases loading may produce concentrated moments

Relationship between bending moment (M) and shear force (S) and load
intensity (w):
• Rate of change of shear force is equal to load intensity.
𝑑𝑆
−𝑤=
𝑑𝑥
Here w = Load per unit length.
• Rate of change of bending moment along the length of beam is equal to shear
force.
dM
Sx =
dx
Important Points about SFD and BMD
1. SFD is one degree higher than loading diagram and BMD is one degree higher than
SFD.
2. If at any point a concentrated point load or reaction acts then ordinate of SFD will
change by the magnitude of that load.
3. If at a point concentrated moment (couple) acts then ordinate of BMD will change by
magnitude of that couple.
4. If shear force changes sign at a section then BM at that section is either maximum or
minimum but inverse is not true.
5. If bending moment changes sign at a section then curvature will also change sign at
that section. Such a point is called point of contraflexure and at same point elastic curve
will change curvature is called point of inflection.
6. The distance between two adjacent points of contraflexure is known as focal length.
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7. The portion of beam in which shear force is constant is known as shear span.
8. Point of contra-shear is that point where shear force changes its sign.
9. Point of contra-flexure is that point where bending moment changes its sign.
10. Calculate S.F. just to the left and right of points where a point load is acting.
11. Bending moment at hinge will be zero.
12. Calculate B.M. just to the left and right of points where a moment is acting.