Draw FBD and Find Reactions at Supports

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 8m

8 kN/m 64 kN 8 kN/m

x (m)
0 4 8

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.

Equivalent load(s) of the DL from x = 0m to x = 8m:

Rectangular Load Magnitude:  (8m − 0m) × (−8kN/m) = −64kN

8m − 0m
Rectangular Load Position: 0m + = +4m
2

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 1 of 12
 Vertical Reactions

12 kN

8 kN/m 64 kN 8 kN/m

RA RB

x (m)
0 3 4 8

Let the left support have a vertical reaction  RA  and the right support have a vertical reaction  RB  .

Sum of forces along the y-axis is equal to zero for static equilibrium:

+ ↑ ΣFy = 0

RA + RB − 12 − 64 = 0

RA + RB − 12 − 64 = 0

RA + RB = +76kN ---- (1)

 

Sum of moments about the left support is equal to zero for static equilibrium:

+ ↻ ΣM = 0

RB (8 − 0) + (−12) (3) + (−64) (+4) = 0

RB (8 − 0) + (−12) (+3) + (−64) (+4) = 0

RB = +36.5kN ---- (2)

Substitute (2) into (1):

RA + RB = +76

RA + 36.5 = +76

RA = +39.5kN

Find Shear Forces (V) and Draw SFD

The 'Method of Sections' or 'Method of Cuts' is used to determine the shear force value at locations along the beam.

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).

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 2 of 12
 Shear for 0 ≤ x ≤ 3

8 kN/m8x kN 8 kN/m

V1

(x)

39.5 kN

x x
x (m)
0 /2 8

Take a cut for 0 ≤ x ≤ 3 :

Find the forces due to the DL from x = 0 to x = 8 :

x
The rectangular DL acts at distance of   from the cut with a force of:
2

b × h = −8x = −8x

+ ↑ ΣFy = 0

+39.5 + [−8x] − V1 (x) = 0

V1 (x) = +39.5 − 8x
 

∴ V1 (x) = +39.5 − 8x  for  0 ≤ x ≤ 3

Shear for 3 ≤ x ≤ 8

12 kN

8 kN/m 8x kN 8 kN/m

V2

(x)

39.5 kN

x 3
x (m)
0 /2 x 8

Take a cut for 3 ≤ x ≤ 8 :

Find the forces due to the DL from x = 0 to x = 8 :

x
The rectangular DL acts at distance of   from the cut with a force of:
2

b × h = −8x = −8x

+ ↑ ΣFy = 0

+39.5 − 12 + [−8x] − V2 (x) = 0

V2 (x) = +27.5 − 8x
 

∴ V2 (x) = +27.5 − 8x  for  3 ≤ x ≤ 8

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 3 of 12
 Find Bending Moments (M) and Draw BMD
The 'Method of Sections' or 'Method of Cuts' is used to determine the bending moment value at locations along the beam.

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).

Moment for 0 ≤ x ≤ 3

8 kN/m8x kN 8 kN/m

M1

(x)

39.5 kN

x x
x (m)
0 /2 8

Take a cut for 0 ≤ x ≤ 3 :

Find the moments due to the DL from x = 0 to x = 8 :

x
The rectangular DL acts at distance of   from the cut with a force of:
2

b × h = −8x = −8x
x
2
So the moment force is:  (−8x) ( ) = −4x
2
 

+ ↻ ΣMx = 0
2
+ (39.5) (x − 0) + [−4x ] − M1 (x) = 0

2
M1 (x) = +39.5x − 4x
 
2
∴ M1 (x) = +39.5x − 4x  for  0 ≤ x ≤ 3

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 4 of 12
 Moment for 3 ≤ x ≤ 8

12 kN

8 kN/m 8x kN 8 kN/m

M2

(x)

39.5 kN

x 3
x (m)
0 /2 x 8

Take a cut for 3 ≤ x ≤ 8 :

Find the moments due to the DL from x = 0 to x = 8 :

x
The rectangular DL acts at distance of   from the cut with a force of:
2

b × h = −8x = −8x
x
2
So the moment force is:  (−8x) ( ) = −4x
2
 

+ ↻ ΣMx = 0
2
+ (39.5) (x − 0) + (−12) (x − 3) + [−4x ] − M2 (x) = 0

2
M2 (x) = +36 + 27.5x − 4x
 
2
∴ M2 (x) = +36 + 27.5x − 4x  for  3 ≤ x ≤ 8

Solve Moment by Integration

Moment of a beam due to bending can be determined by using integration of the Shear equation:

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.

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 5 of 12
 Moment for 0 ≤ x ≤ 3
For 0 ≤ x ≤ 3 :

Previously we found the shear equation was: 

V1 (x) = −8x + 39.5

Integrating this shear equation once gives us the moment, M (x):

M1 (x) = ∫ (−8x + 39.5) dx

2
M1 (x) = −4x + 39.5x + C
 

At the left side of the beam (x = 0), we know the moment value is 0 because there is NOT a Fixed Support there: 

M1 (0) = 0

2
−4(0) + 39.5(0) + C = 0

0 +C = 0

C = 0
 

Finally, substituting the constant value into the moment equation: 

2
M1 (x) = −4x + 39.5x

Moment for 3 ≤ x ≤ 8
For 3 ≤ x ≤ 8 :

Previously we found the shear equation was: 

V2 (x) = −8x + 27.5

Integrating this shear equation once gives us the moment, M (x):

M2 (x) = ∫ (−8x + 27.5) dx

2
M2 (x) = −4x + 27.5x + C
 

Now, we can apply the continuity condition when x=3 :

M1 (3) = M2 (3)

2 2
−4(3) + 39.5(3) = −4(3) + 27.5(3) + C

82.5 = 46.5 + C

C = 36
 

Finally, substituting the constant value into the moment equation: 

2
M2 (x) = −4x + 27.5x + 36

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 6 of 12
 Find Slope and Deflection Equations
Deflection of a beam due to bending can be determined by using double integration of the equation:
2
d υ M (x)
=
2
dx EI

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

Also note that to use these equations we need to ensure that the units are consistent. So we will convert this relationship to
using only our length units (m):

9
M kN × m kN × m kN × m 1000N × m 1000m 10
→ → → → → →
4 2 −6 −6
EI M P a × mm N N × mm N × 10
2
m 10
2
m m
4
× mm
2
mm

This means that when we integrate for the first time, we get the slope equation which is unitless (or radians) since we multiply by
the length unit. When we integrate for the second time, we get the deflection equation which is in m as we multiplied by the
length unit again.

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 7 of 12
 Slope and Deflection Equations for 0 ≤ x ≤ 3
For 0 ≤ x ≤ 3 :

2 2
EI d υ EI d υ
9 2
= 10 M1 (x) → = −4x + 39.5x
9 2 9 2
10 dx 10 dx

Integrating this equation once gives us the slope, θ(x):

EI dυ dυ
2
= ∫ (−4x + 39.5x) dx  and  = θ(x)  is the Slope
9
10 dx dx
 
3 2
EI −4x 39.5x
θ1 (x) = + + C1
9
10 3 2

EI
3 2
θ1 (x) = −1.33333x + 19.75x + C1
9
10

9
10
3 2
θ1 (x) = (−1.33333x + 19.75x + C1 )
EI

Integrating this equation for a second time gives us the deflection, υ(x):

9
10
3 2
∫ θ1 (x) dx = ∫ (−1.33333x + 19.75x + C1 ) dx
EI
 
9 4 3
10 −1.33333x 19.75x
υ1 (x) = ( + + C1 x + C2 )
EI 4 3
 

9
10
4 3
υ1 (x) = (−0.333333x + 6.58333x + 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

BOUNDARY CONDITION: Pin Support at x=0 :

Where deflection is zero,  υ1 (0) = 0

9
10
4 3
(−0.333333(0) + 6.58333(0) + C1 (0) + C2 ) = 0
EI
4 3
−0.333333(0) + 6.58333(0) + C1 (0) + C2 = 0

0 + C1 (0) + C2 = 0

0C1 + C2 = 0

C2 = 0
 

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 8 of 12
 Slope and Deflection Equations for 3 ≤ x ≤ 8
For 3 ≤ x ≤ 8 :

2 2
EI d υ EI d υ
9 2
= 10 M2 (x) → = −4x + 27.5x + 36
9 2 9 2
10 dx 10 dx

Integrating this equation once gives us the slope, θ(x):

EI dυ dυ
2
= ∫ (−4x + 27.5x + 36) dx  and  = θ(x)  is the Slope
9
10 dx dx
 
3 2
EI −4x 27.5x
θ2 (x) = + + 36x + C3
9
10 3 2

EI
3 2
θ2 (x) = −1.33333x + 13.75x + 36x + C3
9
10

9
10
3 2
θ2 (x) = (−1.33333x + 13.75x + 36x + C3 )
EI

Integrating this equation for a second time gives us the deflection, υ(x):

9
10
3 2
∫ θ2 (x) dx = ∫ (−1.33333x + 13.75x + 36x + C3 ) dx
EI
 
9 4 3 2
10 −1.33333x 13.75x 36x
υ2 (x) = ( + + + C3 x + C4 )
EI 4 3 2
 

9
10
4 3 2
υ2 (x) = (−0.333333x + 4.58333x + 18x + C3 x + C4 )
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

BOUNDARY CONDITION: Roller Support at x=8 :

Where deflection is zero,  υ2 (8) = 0

9
10
4 3 2
(−0.333333(8) + 4.58333(8) + 18(8) + C3 (8) + C4 ) = 0
EI
4 3 2
−0.333333(8) + 4.58333(8) + 18(8) + C3 (8) + C4 = 0

2133.33 + C3 (8) + C4 = 0

8C3 + C4 = −2133.33

8C3 + C4 = −2133.33
 

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 9 of 12
 Solve any remaining constants of integration
Continuity condition at x = 3 is:

θ1 (3) = θ2 (3)

9 9
10 10
3 2 3 2
(−1.33333(3) + 19.75(3) + C1 ) = (−1.33333(3) + 13.75(3) + 36(3) + C3 )
EI EI
3 2 3 2
−1.33333(3) + 19.75(3) + C1 = −1.33333(3) + 13.75(3) + 36(3) + C3

141.75 + C1 = 195.75 + C3

C1 − C3 = 54
 

When there is No Support, we can say that:  υ1 (3) = υ2 (3)

 
9 9
10 10
4 3 4 3 2
(−0.333333(3) + 6.58333(3) + C1 (3)) = (−0.333333(3) + 4.58333(3) + 18(3) + C3 (3) + C4 )
EI EI
4 3 4 3 2
−0.333333(3) + 6.58333(3) + C1 (3) = −0.333333(3) + 4.58333(3) + 18(3) + C3 (3) + C4

150.75 + C1 (3) = 258.75 + C3 (3) + C4

3C1 − 3C3 − C4 = 108

 

Group the relevant equations to solve the values of the remaining constants:

8C3 + C4 = −2133.33

C1 − C3 = 54

3C1 − 3C3 − C4 = 108

Using the equations above, we can solve the constants of integration: 

C1 = −219.417

C2 = 0

C3 = −273.417

C4 = 54

Therefore, we can complete the equations by substituting the constants: 

For 0 ≤ x ≤ 3 :

9
10
3 2
θ1 (x) = (−1.33333x + 19.75x − 219.417)
EI
 
9
10
4 3
υ1 (x) = (−0.333333x + 6.58333x − 219.417x)
EI

For 3 ≤ x ≤ 8 :

9
10
3 2
θ2 (x) = (−1.33333x + 13.75x + 36x − 273.417)
EI
 
9
10
4 3 2
υ2 (x) = (−0.333333x + 4.58333x + 18x − 273.417x + 54)
EI

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 10 of 12
 Maximum Deflection
For each segment of the beam, we will try to find the location of maximum deflection by finding where the slope is zero:

θ(x) = 0

For 0 ≤ x ≤ 3 :

9
10
3 2
θ1 (x) = (−1.33333x + 19.75x − 219.417)
EI
9
10 3 2
0 = (−1.33333x + 19.75x − 219.417)
EI
3 2
0 = −1.33333x + 19.75x − 219.417

This equation can't be solved, so there is not a maximum in this segment of the beam.

For 3 ≤ x ≤ 8 :

9
10
3 2
θ2 (x) = (−1.33333x + 13.75x + 36x − 273.417)
EI
9
10 3 2
0 = (−1.33333x + 13.75x + 36x − 273.417)
EI
3 2
0 = −1.33333x + 13.75x + 36x − 273.417

x = 3.925 is a solution to this equation, so there is a potential maximum there. Substitute it into the deflection equation:

 
9
10 4 3 2
υ2 (x) = (−0.333333x + 4.58333x + 18x − 273.417x + 54)
EI
 
9
10
4 3 2
υ2 (3.925) = (−0.333333(3.925) + 4.58333(3.925) + 18(3.925) − 273.417(3.925) + 54)
EI
 

9
10
υ2 (3.925) = (−543.829)
EI

Let's check the deflection at the start of the beam: 

 
9
10
4 3
υ1 (x) = (−0.333333x + 6.58333x − 219.417x)
EI
 
9
10 4 3
υ1 (0) = (−0.333333(0) + 6.58333(0) − 219.417(0))
EI
 
9
10
υ1 (0) = (0)  , so this is not a maximum and we can ignore it.
EI
 

Let's check the deflection at the end of the beam: 

 
9
10
4 3 2
υ2 (x) = (−0.333333x + 4.58333x + 18x − 273.417x + 54)
EI
 
9
10
4 3 2
υ2 (8) = (−0.333333(8) + 4.58333(8) + 18(8) − 273.417(8) + 54)
EI
 
9
10
υ2 (8) = (0)  , so this is not a maximum and we can ignore it.
EI
 

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 11 of 12
  

∴ From the equations above we can see that the absolute maximum deflection is located at x

= 3.925 m and the value of the deflection is:

 
9
10 −543829485807.3 −543829485807.3 × 1000
(−543.829)  m =  m =  mm
EI EI EI

−543829485807291.7
=  mm
EI

SkyCiv Beam - Hand Calculations

Page 12 of 12