CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

TABLE OF CONTENT

1
No. Details Page

1.0 ABSTRACT 2

2.0 INTRODUCTION 2

3.0 OBJECTIVE 2

4.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT 3

5.0 THEORY 3

6.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 3

7.0 APPARATUS 4

8.0 METHODOLOGY 4

9.0 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS 5-22

10.0 DATA INTERPRETATION 23

11.0 DISCUSSION 24
- Results
-Errors and accuracy

12.0 CONCLUSION 24

13.0 APPENDIX 25

14.0 REFERENCES 26

1.0 ABSTRACT

2
 An influence line is a graph representing the variation of internal force (reaction, shear,
moment, or deflection) in a fixed section of the member, due to a unit load traversing a
structure. The following report demonstrates two experiments carried out to determine the
shear force and bending moment of a beam with weights attached at different interval
lengths. It also displays the differences in the result obtained through the experiment and the
result calculated and expected and why they could have different values.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

The influence lines are important in the construction of structures that can resist large
live loads. This influence line can also portray the variation of external and internal forces as
a unit load travels across the length of the member. Furthermore, this influence line can show
us where the moving load should be placed on the structure so that it creates the greatest
influence at the specified point. As this influence line is important to know the place where
the load will create the maximum effect on the structure.

In this experiment, we want to determine the shear force and bending moment
based on the influence line. A continuous load is placed at various distances from the left
support to know the value of shear force and the bending moment of the influence line. The
load is then changed at a different distance to the right to find the value difference by
comparing it to the theoretical formula. The applied loading will generate internal shear
forces and bending moments where each of these internal forces will produce a different type
of deformation and internal stress.

3.0 OBJECTIVE

1. To learn the practical use of influence lines in analysing structural elements.

2. To plot the bending moment and shear force influence line when the beam is
subjected to a point load moving from left to right.

4.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

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 An influence line is most commonly used to identify the position of a load for which a
defined response has a maximum value. These provide the bending moment and shear force
values at a certain position. Bending moment and shear force influence lines are important in
building design because it assist's to determine the amount of reinforcement that should be
provided in the structural part. It is possible to compute or derive the bending moment and
shear force effect line from experimental findings. These diagrams may be used to easily
determine the type, size, and material of a structural part in order to determine if it can resist a
specific set of loads without obvious structural collapse.

5.0 THEORY

As the load is to the left of x - x, the bending moment at section x - x is,

𝐵. 𝑀 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 𝑅𝐴𝐿𝐴 − 𝑊1𝐿𝑥

or,
𝐵. 𝑀 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 𝑅𝐵𝐿𝐵

When the load is to the right of x - x,

𝐵. 𝑀 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 𝑅𝐴𝐿𝐴

Or,

𝐵. 𝑀 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 𝑅𝐵𝐿𝐵 − 𝑊1𝐿𝑥

as the 𝐿𝑥is described as the length of load from the x - x axis.

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For the shear force at section x - x, as the load is to the left of x - x,

𝑆. 𝐹 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 𝑊1 − 𝑅
𝐴

Or,

𝑆. 𝐹 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 𝑅𝐵

When the load is to the right of x - x,

𝑆. 𝐹 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 𝑅𝐵

Or

𝑆. 𝐹 𝑥 − 𝑥 = 𝑊1 − 𝑅
𝐵

6.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

In an article titled: published September of 2017 Influence Line Diagram for Civil
Engineering, Deepanshu Rastogi defined Influence lines as: An influence line for a member
is a graph representing the variation of internal force (reaction, shear, moment, or deflection)
in a fixed section of the member, due to a unit load traversing a structure. In the same article,
Deepanshu Rastogi also described The Müller Breslau Principle as: The Müller Breslau
Principle states that the ordinate value of an influence line for any function on any structure is
proportional to the ordinates of the deflected shape that is obtained by removing the restraint
corresponding to the function from the structure and introducing a force that causes a unit
displacement in the positive direction.

7.0 APPARATUS

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1- A pair of simple supports.

2- Special beam with a cut section.

3- A set of weights with several load hangers

8.0 METHODOLOGY:

First of all, the load cell is connected to the digital indicator. Then the indicator for
stability of the reading is switched on. The indicator must be switched on 10 minutes before
taking readings. After That, the two simple supports are fixed to the aluminium base at a
distance equal to the span of the beam to be tested and screw the supports tightly to the base.
At the same time, the load hangers are hung to the beam and the beam is placed on the
supports. The load hanger is placed at 50 mm from the left support.Then take note of the
indicator reading. If it is not zero press the tare button on the indicator. Next the load is placed
on the load hanger. Then the indicator readings are recorded. This represents the bending
moment and shear at the cut section.After taking a record, the load is removed from the
hanger. The load hanger is moved continuously to 100 mm from the left support and the steps
are repeated again until the load reaches end B.

9.0 RESULT AND CALCULATION

CASE 1: 1 point load

W= 10N

Beam span=900mm

Distance(mm) Weight(N) Shear(N) Moment(Nmm)

100 10 -1.11 -0.92 x 175= 161

200 10 -2.25 -1.96 x 175=-343

300 10 -3.37 -2.88 x 175=-504

400 10 -4.5 -3.89 x 175=-680.75

500 10 -5.62 -4.83 x 175=-845.25

600 10 -6.62 -5.80 x 175=-1015

690 10 1.98 -5.88 x 175=-1029

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 800 10 0.91 -2.63 x 175=-460.25
CASE 2: 2 point loads

W1= 10N W2= 20N

Bean span=900mm

Distance (mm) Shear(N) Moment(Nmm)

10N 20N

100 300 -7.35 -6.65x175= -1163.8

200 400 -11.04 -9.83x175= -1720.3

300 500 -14.5 -13.35x175= -2336.5

400 600 -18.10 -16.65x175= -2913.8

500 700 -1.70 -18.20x175= -3185.0

600 800 -5.83 -11.92x175= -2086.0

690 900 2.03 -7.86x175= -1375.5

800 0.2 -2.90x175= -507.5

CASE 3: 3 point loads

W1= 10N W2= 20N W3= 15N

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Beam span=900mm

Distance Shear (N) Moment (Nmm)

5N 10 N 15 N

200 400 600 -16.79 -13.34x175= -2334.5

300 500 700 -5.31 -15.13x175 = -2647.8

400 600 800 -8.72 -12.94x175 = -2264.5

500 700 900 -1.35 -11.10x175 = -1942.5

600 800 -3.58 -6.59x175 = -1153.3

690 900 0.38 -4.35x175 = -761.25

800 -0.43 -1.89x175 = -330.8

CALCULATION

Case 1:

Distance from left Shear Force at x-x Percentage error(%)

support (mm)
Experimental (N) Theory (N)

100 -1.11 -1.11 0

200 -2.25 -2.22 1.35

300 -3.37 -3.33 1.2

400 -4.5 -4.44 1.35

500 -5.62 -5.55 1.26

600 -6.62 -6.67 0.75

690 1.98 2.33 15.02

800 0.91 1.11 18.01

Span AB

Ay= 10(0.9-x)/0.9

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VB= 10(0.9-x)/0.9 -10

At L1= 100mm

VB= 10(0.9-0.1)/0.9 -10

= -1.11N

At L2= 200mm

VB= 10(0.9-0.2)/0.9 -10

= -2.22N

At L3= 300mm

VB= 10(0.9-0.3)/0.9 -10

= -3.33N

At L4= 400mm

VB= 10(0.9-0.4)/0.9 -10

= -4.44N

At L5= 500mm

VB= 10(0.9-0.5)/0.9 -10

= -5.55N

At L6= 600mm

VB= 10(0.9-0.6)/0.9 -10

= -6.67N

Span BC

VB= 10(0.9-x)/0.9

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At L7= 0.69mm

VB= 10(0.9-0.69)/0.9

= 2.33N

At L8= 0.8mm

VB= 10(0.9-x)/0.9

= 1.11N

ii) Case 2

Distance Shear Force at x-x Percentage

error(%)
10N 20N Experimental Theory (N)
(N)

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 100 300 -7.35 -7.77 5.41

200 400 -11.04 -11.11 0.63

300 500 -14.5 -14.44 0.42

400 600 -18.10 - 17.78 1.80

500 700 -11.70 -11.11 5.31

600 800 -15.83 -14.44 9.62

690 900 2.03 2.56 20.7

800 0.2 -1.11 118

10(0.9−𝑥) 20(0.7−𝑥)
𝐴𝑦 = 0.9
+ 0.9

10(0.9−𝑥) 20(0.7−𝑥)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
-20-10

Span AB: when load on left span

At L1=100mm, L2=300mm;

10(0.9−𝑥) 20(0.7−𝑥)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
-20-10

= -7.77 N

At L1=200mm, L2=400mm;

10(0.9−0.2) 20(0.7−0.2)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
-20-10

= -11.11 N

At L1= 300mm, L2= 500mm;

10(0.9−0.3) 20(0.7−0.3)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
-20-10

= -14.44 N

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At L1= 400mm, L2= 600mm;

10(0.9−0.4) 20(0.7−0.4)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
− 20 − 10

= - 17.78N

Span BC: when load on right span

10(0.9−𝑥) 20(0.7−𝑥)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
-20

At L1= 500mm,L2= 700mm;

10(0.9−0.5) 20(0.7−0.5)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
-20

= -11.11 N

At L1= 600mm, L2= 800mm;

10(0.9−0.6) 20(0.7−0.6)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
-20

= -14.44 N

When both loads on right span

10(0.9−𝑥) 20(0.7−𝑥)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9

At L1= 690mm, L2= 900mm;

10(0.9−0.69) 20(0.7−0.69)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9

= 2.56 N

At L1= 800mm, L2=0mm;

10(0.9−0.8) 20(0.7−0.8)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9

= -1.11N

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Case 3:

Distance Shear Force at x-x Percentage

error (%)
5N 10 N 15 N Experimental Theory (N)
(N)

200 400 600 -16.79 -15.56 7.9

300 500 700 -5.31 -3.89 36.5

400 600 800 -8.72 -7.22 20.8

500 700 900 -1.35 -0.556 142

600 800 -3.58 - 3.89 7.97

690 900 0.38 -0.889 57.3

800 -0.43 2.78 87.8

5(0.9−𝑥) 10(0.7−𝑥) 15(0.5−𝑥)

𝐴𝑦 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9

5(0.9−𝑥) 10(0.7−𝑥) 15(0.5−𝑥)

𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9
− 5 − 10 − 15

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At left span (AB):

At L1= 200mm, L2= 400mm, L3= 600mm;

5(0.9−0.2) 10(0.7−0.2) 15(0.5−0.2)

𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9
− 5 − 10 − 15

= -15.56 N

At L1= 300mm, L2= 500mm, L3= 700mm;

5(0.9−0.3) 10(0.7−0.3) 15(0.5−0.3)

𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9
− 5 − 10

= -3.89 N

At L1= 400mm, L2= 600mm ,L3= 800mm;

5(0.9−0.4) 10(0.7−0.4) 15(0.5−0.4)

𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9
− 5 − 10

= -7.22 N

At L1= 500mm, L2= 700mm, L3= 900mm;

5(0.9−0.5) 10(0.7−0.5) 15(0.5−0.5)

𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9
−5

= -0.556 N

At L1= 600mm, L2= 800mm, L3= 0mm;

5(0.9−0.6) 10(0.7−0.6) 15(0.5−0.6)

𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9
−5

= - 3.89 N

At right span (BC):

At L1= 690mm, L2= 900mm, L3= 0mm;

5(0.9−0.21) 10(0.7−0.21) 15(0.5−0.21)

𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9
− 5 − 10

= -0.889 N

At L1=800mm, L2=0mm, L3=0mm;

5(0.9−𝑥) 10(0.7−𝑥) 15(0.5−𝑥)

𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9
− 5 − 10

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 5(0.9−0.1) 10(0.7−0.1) 15(0.5−0.1)
𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9

= 2.78 N

BENDING MOMENT

Case 1 :Bending moment

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 Distance from left Bending moment at x-x Percentage error(%)
support (mm)
Experimental (Nmm) Theory (Nmm)

100 -161 233.33 30.99

200 -343 466.67 26.5

300 -504 700 28

400 -680.75 933.33 27.06

500 -845.25 1166.67 27.55

600 -1015 1400 27.50

690 -1029 1610 36.09

800 -460.25 766.67 39.97

Maximum Bending moment = ab/L

=690 x 210/ 900

=161/900

Load= 10N

At L1 =100mm

q/100= 0.17889/690

M= q x 10 = 233.33 Nmm

At L2 =200mm

q/200= 0.17889/690

M= q x 10 = 466.67 Nmm

At L3 =300mm

q/300= 0.17889/690

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M= q x 10 = 700 Nmm

At L4 =400mm

q/400= 0.17889/690

M= q x 10 =933.33Nmm

At L5 =500mm

q/500= 0.17889/690

M= q x 10 =1166.67Nmm

At L6=600mm

q/600= 0.17889/690

M= q x 10 =1400 Nmm

At L7=690mm

q/210= 0.17889/210

M= q x 10 =1400 Nmm

At L8=800mm

q/100= 0.17889/210

M= q x 10 =766.67 Nmm

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Case 2: Bending Moment

Distance (mm) Bending moment at x-x Percentage

error(%)
10N 20N Experimental Theory (Nmm)
(Nmm)

100 300 -1163.8 1633.33 28.7

200 400 -1720.3 2333.4 26.3

300 500 -2336.5 6833.33 65.8

400 600 -2913.8 5533.33 47.3

500 700 -3185.0 4233.4 24.8

600 800 -2086.0 2933.33 28.9

690 -1375.5 1763.33 22.0

800 -507.5 -833.33 39.1

Maximum Bending moment = ab/L

=690 x 210/ 900

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 =161/900

Load W1= 10N, W2= 20N

At L1=100mm;

r/300=161/690

r = 70

Mr = 70 x 20 = 1400

Mc = 1400 + 233.33 = 1633.33Nmm

At L2= 200mm;

r/400=161/690

r = 93.33

Mr = 93.33 x 20 = 1866.7

Mc = 1866.7 + 466.7 = 2333.4Nmm

At L3= 300mm;

r/400=161/210

r = 306.7

Mr = 306.7 x 20 = 2333.33

Mc = 6133.33 + 700 = 6833.33Nmm

At L4=400mm;

r/300=161/210

r = 230

Mr = 230 x 20 = 4600.00

Mc = 4600 + 933.33 = 5533.33Nmm

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At L5=500mm;

r/200=161/210

r = 153.33

Mr = 153.33 x 20 = 3066.7

Mc = 3066.7 + 1166.7 = 4233.4Nmm

At L6= 600mm;

r/100=161/210

r = 76.67

Mr = 76.67 x 20 = 1533.33

Mc = 1533.33 + 1400 = 2933.33Nmm

At L7=690mm;

r/10=161/210

r = 7.67

Mr = 7.67 x 20 = 153.33

Mc = 153.33 + 1610 = 1763.33Nmm

At L8=800mm;

r/-100=161/210

r = -76.67

Mr = -76.67 x 20 = -1533.33

Mc = -1533.33 + 700 = -833.33Nmm

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Case 3: Bending Moment

Distance Bending moment at x-x Percentage

error (%)
5N 10 N 15 N Experimental Theory
(Nmm) (Nmm)

200 400 600 -2334.5 3383.4 31.0

300 500 700 -2647.8 7533.33 64.9

400 600 800 -2264.5 5883.33 61.5

500 700 -1942.5 5533.33 64.9

600 800 -1153.3 1283 .00 10.1

690 -761.25 933.00 18.4

800 -330.8 583.00 43.3

Load: W1=5N, W2= 10N, W3= 15N

At L1=200mm;

S/300 = 161/690

S = 70.0

Mr = 70.0 x 15 = 1050

Mc = 1050 + 2333.4= 3383.4 Nmm

At L2= 300mm;

S/200 = 161/690

S = 46.67

Mr = 46.67 x 15 = 700

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Mc = 700+ 6833.33= 7533.33 Nmm

S/100 = 161/690

S = 23.33

Mr = 23.33 x 15 = 350

Mc = 350+ 5533.33= 5883.33 Nmm

At L4=500mm;

S/0 = 161/690

S=0

Mr = 0

Mc = 0+ 5533.33= 5533.33 Nmm

At L5=600mm;

S/-100 = 161/690

S = -23.33

Mr = -23.33 x 15 = -350

Mc = -350 + 1633 = 1283 Nmm

At L6=700mm;

S/-200 = 161/690

S = -46.67

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Mr = -46.67 x 15 = -700

Mc = -700 + 1633 = 933.00 Nmm

At L7= 800mm;

S/-300 = 161/690

S = -70

Mr = -70 x 15 = -1050

Mc = -1050 + 1633 = 583.00 Nmm

10.0 DATA INTERPRETATION

In this experiment there are three cases that are conducted. First case involves a one
point load with a weight of 10N. The distance of case 1 is 100mm from the initial and has an
increment of 100mm until it reaches the distance of 900mm. For case 2, two point loads
weighed 10N and 20N hanging. The distance between the two loads is 200 mm. The loads
start from 100mm from load 1 and have an increment of 100mm until the end of span. For
case 3, three point loads weighing 5N, 10N and 15N are hanged. The distance between both
of the loads is 200mm. The loads start from 200mm and have an increment of 100mm until
the end of the span.

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 For case 1, using the influence line formula Ay=W(L-x)/L, we find the theoretical
value of shear force. Then, we calculate the relative error for case 1 using relative
error=theory - experiment/theory x 100%. As we can see from table 4, the error for each
experiment is low for each load measured at different distances. The influence line plotted
can be seen having an increase at distance 600mm. For the bending moment, firstly the
maximum bending moment is calculated with formula M=ab/L which results in
191/900kNm. Then, the bending moment for each distance is calculated by using triangle
rules for ration. The answer then is multiplied by 10N which is the load

For case 2, the load use is 10N and 20N. The theoretical value for case 2 are
10(0.9−𝑥) 20(0.7−𝑥)
calculated using formula 𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
-20-10 for shear.The result of theoretical

value when the distance is 690mm and above is positive due to load calculated from the right
span of the beam. The bending moment is calculated with the same method as case 1.

For case 3, the load use is 5N, 10N and 15 N. The for,ula that is being used to
5(0.9−𝑥) 10(0.7−𝑥) 15(0.5−𝑥)
calculate the theoretical value is 𝑉𝐵 = 0.9
+ 0.9
+ 0.9
− 5 − 10 − 15.

The value of the shear also decreases as it is near the middle of the span.The bending moment
is calculated with the same method as case 1.

The percentage error calculated for case 1is low on average.The percentage error
calculated in case 2 and 3 seems to be higher in average This may be due to several errors
that are encountered during taking the results.

11.0 DISCUSSION

From the bending moment graph, it can conclude that the peak of the graph has been
obtained. The peak shows the weakest point of the beam where the force is applied. From the
left of the cut section, where the distance from the left point is set to increase by 50mm, the
value of the bending moment keeps increasing until the load. When the distance has reached
the load, which is to the right of the cut section, the bending moment value is decreased. For
the shear force, when the distance from the left is increased to reach the load point, the value
of the shear is decreasing until it reaches the load point, and when it passes the load point, the
value of shear is still decreasing, but with a higher value compared to the left side of the load.

The value of shear increases when it passes the cut section. As load is moved across
near to it, the moment will increase. So does the other way round when load is moving

24
further than the hinge, the value of moment will decrease as the load is moving towards the
support at the end. From the experimental and theoretical value, the value differs in a variety
of percentage errors. This error is obtained due to the error in determining the length, the
small error in the value of load and the round off the value. The error for the load to the left
of the cut section for bending moment is quite high in comparison to the shear force, which
can be attributed to a mistake in taking the cell reading.

ERRORS AND ACCURACY

We got different values of bending moment and shear force. Some errors occurred due to the
system and human operator recording data of the experiments. If the position of the eye is not
perpendicular to the load point of the weight scale , while recording load of bending and
shear , then a slight error in reading could happen. Systematic errors such as incorrect
calibration of a burette can also occur. To avoid any error the time taker should be more
cautious, and the position of eyes must be perpendicular to weight scale. All apparatus should
be checked properly before experiment.

12.0 CONCLUSION

To summarise this experiment, all the objectives of this experiment have been
achieved. The experiment shows the shear force and bending moment occurs when the beam
is subjected to a load. The shear force and bending moment value change as the distance of
the loading varies. As we can see from this experiment, every point load gives a different
shear force and bending moment value. We were able to identify the reaction and behaviour
of a beam based on the moment reaction value. Based on the graph plotted, we know how to
determine the influence line for shear force and bending moment to avoid the point where the
maximum reaction occurs.

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13.0 APPENDIX

Figure 1: Loads hanging on the beam with two supports

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Figure 2: Collection of data

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14.0 REFERENCES

1. Influence Lines for Statically Determinate Structures, libretexts.org, March 2021,

https://eng.libretexts.org/@go/page/17615
2. Introductory Problems in Structural Analysis: Influence Lines , Dr. Fanous, Fouad,
November 2010,
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~fanous/ce332/influence/homepage.html

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