Module 12

GRAPHICAL METHOD FOR

CONSTRUCTING SHEAR
AND BENDING MOMENT
DIAGRAMS
Objectives:
You should be able to…
• Draw shear force and bending moment
diagrams
• Determine the maximum shear force and
maximum bending moment from the
diagram
• Identify the location of the maximum shear
force and maximum bending moment
 Six Rules for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams
Rule 1
The shear-force diagram is discontinuous at points subjected
to concentrated loads P. An upward P causes the V diagram to
jump upward, and a downward P causes the V diagram to
jump downward
 Six Rules for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams
Rule 2
The change in internal shear force between any two locations
𝒙𝑨 and 𝒙𝑩 is equal to the area under the distributed-load
curve

A negative area results from negative w (i.e., downward

distributed load).
 Six Rules for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams
Rule 3
At any location x, the slope of the V diagram is equal to the
intensity of the distributed load
 Six Rules for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams
Rule 4
The change in internal bending moment between any two
locations 𝒙𝑨 and 𝒙𝑩 is equal to the area under the shear-force
diagram
 Six Rules for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams
Rule 5
At any location x, the slope of the M diagram is equal to the
intensity of the internal shear force V.
 Six Rules for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams
Rule 6
The bending-moment diagram is discontinuous at points subjected to
external concentrated moments. A clockwise external moment causes the M
diagram to jump upward, and a counterclockwise external moment causes
the M diagram to jump downward.

The area computed from negative shear force values is considered negative.
General Procedure for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams

Step 1—Complete the Load Diagram:

Sketch the beam including the supports, loads, and key dimensions.
Calculate the external reaction forces, and if the beam is a cantilever,
find the external reaction moment. Show these reactions on the load
diagram, using arrows to indicate the proper direction for these forces
and moments.
General Procedure for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams

Step 2—Construct the Shear-Force Diagram:

The shear-force diagram will be constructed directly beneath the load

diagram. For that reason, it is convenient to draw a series of vertical lines
beneath significant beam locations to help align the diagrams. Begin the
shear-force diagram by drawing a horizontal axis , which will serve as the
x axis for the V diagram. The shear-force diagram should always start
and end on the value V=0 . Construct the V diagram from the leftmost end
of the beam toward the rightmost end, using the rules outlined. Rules 1
and 2 will be the rules most frequently used to determine shear-force
values at important points. Rule 3 is useful when sketching the proper
diagram shape between these key points. Label all points where the shear
force changes abruptly and locations where maximum or minimum (i.e.,
maximum negative values) shear forces occur.
General Procedure for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams

Step 3—Locate Key Points on the Shear-Force Diagram:

Special attention should be paid to locating points where the V diagram

crosses the x axis, because these points indicate locations where the
bending moment will be either a maximum or a minimum value. For
beams with distributed loadings, Rule 3 will be essential for this task.
General Procedure for Constructing Shear-Force and
Bending-Moment Diagrams

Step 4—Construct the Bending-Moment Diagram:

The bending-moment diagram will be constructed directly beneath the

shear-force diagram. Begin the bending-moment diagram by drawing a
horizontal axis, which will serve as the x axis for the M diagram. The
bending-moment diagram should always start and end on the M=0 value .
Construct the M diagram from the leftmost end of the beam toward the
rightmost end, using the rules outlined will be the rules most frequently
used to determine bending-moment values at important points. Rule 5 is
useful when sketching the proper diagram shape between these key points.
Label all points where the bending moment changes abruptly and
locations where maximum or minimum (i.e., maximum negative values)
bending moments occur.
Example:

Draw the shear-force and bending-moment diagrams for the

simply supported beam shown. Determine the maximum
bending moment that occurs in the span.
V
14 kips

V
14 kips

V
14 kips
2 kips
V
14 kips
2 kips
V
14 kips
2 kips
V

-8 kips
14 kips
2 kips
V

-8 kips
14 kips
2 kips
V

-8 kips
M
M
M
Example:

Draw the shear-force and bending-moment diagrams for

the simply supported beam shown. Determine the
maximum bending moment that occurs in the span.
V
V
4 𝑘𝑁

V
4 𝑘𝑁

−2 𝑘𝑁
4 𝑘𝑁

−2 𝑘𝑁
4 𝑘𝑁

−2 𝑘𝑁
 Example:

Draw the shear-force and bending-moment diagrams for the

simply supported beam shown. Determine the maximum
positive bending moment and the maximum negative bending
moment that occur in the beam.
Example:

Draw the shear-force and bending-moment diagrams for the

cantilever beam shown. Determine the maximum bending
moment that occurs in the beam.
Write the shear and moment equations for the beam
loaded as shown then draw the corresponding shear and
moment diagrams.
Write the shear and moment equations for the beam
loaded as shown then draw the corresponding shear and
moment diagrams.
Draw the load and moment diagrams that correspond to
the given shear force diagram. Assume no couples are
applied to the beam.