Lecture Notes (Shear and Moment Examples)

Structural Analysis I (Lecture Notes) Shear and Moment Diagrams
In this session, we will explore a series of examples on shear and moment diagrams. More specifically,
we wish to illustrate the process of calculating support reactions and constructing shear and moment
diagrams for beams subjected to multiple loads.
Example 1:
A simply supported beam is subjected to three concentrated loads and two concentrated moments, as
shown below. We wish to calculate the support reactions for the beam and draw its shear and moment
diagrams.
To calculate the reaction forces, we start by drawing the beam’s free-body diagram.
The diagram embodies three unknown forces: 𝐴𝑥 , 𝐴𝑦 , and 𝐵𝑦 , which can be determined using the three
static equilibrium equations.
Before we can write the equilibrium equations, we need to select a sign convention by which positive
force directions are identified. For this example, let’s use the sign convention illustrated below.
The arrows show the positive directions for forces in the x and y direction and moments about the z axis.
Now that we have chosen a sign convention, we can move onto the equilibrium conditions. For this
example, we have three conditions:
1. The sum of the forces in the x direction must be zero. This equilibrium condition can be written
mathematically as:
Dr. Structure P a g e |1
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 ⇒ 𝐴𝑥 = 0
Clearly, since the horizontal reaction force at A (𝐴𝑥 ) is the only force acting in the x direction, it must be
zero, otherwise the beam would not be in a state of equilibrium.
2. The sum of the forces in the y direction must be zero. Therefore, we can write:
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 − 20 − 30 − 40 = 0
In its simplified form, the above equation can be written as:

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 − 90 = 0 [1]
3. The sum of bending moments about the z axis must be zero. To write an equation for this
equilibrium condition, we need to choose a point in our coordinate system and take the moment of
each force about that point. Any point will do, so let’s pick point A. We can write:
∑ 𝑀𝑧 @𝐴 = 0
In the expanded form, the above equation consists of 6 terms. There is a moment term for the each
applied downward load (there are three of them on the beam). There is also a term for each applied
concentrated moment (two such moments have been placed on the beam). Finally, there is a moment
term for the support reaction at B. Hence, the moment equilibrium equation can be written as:
(3)(20) + (7)(30) + (10)(40) + (60) − (80) − (14)(𝐵𝑦 ) = 0
which then simplifies to:
650 − 14𝐵𝑦 = 0
Solving the equation for 𝐵𝑦 , we get: 𝐵𝑦 = 46.43 𝑘𝑁. Now, using Equation [1], we can calculate 𝐴𝑦 :
𝐴𝑦 = 43.57 𝑘𝑁.
The analysis results are shown in the following diagram in which the unknown support reactions have
been replaced by the computed forces.
It is important to keep in mind that, although the beam is subjected to two concentrated moments, and
they were used to calculate the support reactions, the concentrated moments have no direct effect on
the shear values in the beam. Therefore, for the purpose of drawing the shear diagram, it would be
acceptable to remove the applied concentrated moments from the beam, as shown below.
The applied loads divide the beam into four segments, as marked above. Since there is no distributed
load being applied within each segment, shear in the segment remains constant. Shear values change
only at the boundary points where the point loads reside.
In drawing shear and moment diagrams, we need to keep the beam sign convention in mind, which is
different than the sign convention we used for writing the equilibrium equations. Shear in a beam
segment is considered positive when it acts as shown below.
More specifically, when the two shear forces at the ends of the segment want to rotate the segment in
the clockwise direction, shear is positive. When the reverse is true, and the applied shear forces rotate
the segment in the counterclockwise direction, shear is considered negative.
Bending moment is considered positive when the two end moments cause the segment to deflect
downward, creating a concave up shape, as shown below. If the moments tend to bend the beam
concave up, we consider the segment to be subjected to a negative moment.
In drawing the shear diagram, we can start from the left end of the beam (from segment 1) and work
our way toward the right end of the beam (segment 4). At the left end of segment 1, there is an upward
reaction force of 43.57 kN. The direction of this force informs us that shear in the segment is positive,
per the sign convention shown above. Furthermore, since there are no applied loads within the
segment, shear remains constant throughout segment 1, as shown below.
The downward load of 20 kN causes a drop in the shear value by 20 units between segments 1 and 2.
That is to say, shear at the left end of segment 2 can be calculated as: 43.57 – 20 = 23.57 kN. Within the
segment, however, shear remains constant (see diagram below).
Between segments 2 and 3, shear drops by 30 units since there is a downward load of 30 kN being
applied between the segments. Therefore, at the left end of segment 3, shear equals 23.57 – 30 = -6.43
kN. Shear remains constant within the segment, as depicted below.
The downward concentrated load of 40 kN causes a drop in the shear value between segments 3 and 4
by 40 units. Therefore, shear in segment 4 is equal to: -6.43 - 40 = -46.43 kN. The complete shear
diagram for the beam is shown below.
To draw the moment diagram, we place the concentrated moments back on the beam and calculate the
areas under the various parts of the shear diagram. Since the shear diagram consists of a set of
rectangles, calculating their areas is rather straight forward. The computed areas are shown below.
In total, we have five rectangular areas. Three of them reside above the x axis and two of them are
located below the axis. The ones above the x axis are considered positive areas, and the ones below the
x axis are regarded as negative areas.
To draw the moment diagram, we start from segment 1. At the left end of the segment, bending
moment is zero since there is a pin support at A. As we move to the right end of the segment, however,
the bending moment equals 0 + 130.71 = 130.71 kN.m.
That is, the area under the shear diagram in a beam segment is equal to the difference between the
moment values of the segment ends. Therefore, to determine the moment value at the right end of the
segment, we can add the shear diagram area for the segment to the moment value at the left end of the
segment. Hence, bending moment at the right end of segment 1 is 130.71 kN.m.
Furthermore, since shear in the segment is constant, bending moment changes linearly within the
segment. When we connect the two end points using a straight line, the following diagram results.
For segment 2, we already know the value of moment at its left end—130.71 kN.m. To determine the
moment value at the right end of the segment, we add the shear area (+47.14) to the moment at the left
segment end (130.71). The resulting moment value is 177.85 kN.m, shown below.
Note the clockwise concentrated moment of 60 kN∙m between segments 2 and 3. The moment causes a
jump in the moment value at that point. Therefore, while bending moment at the right end of segment
2 is 177.85, it jumps to 177.85 + 60 = 237.85 kN.m at the left end of segment 3, as shown below.
Since the shear area in segment 3 is 47.14, bending moment at the right end of the segment can be
written as: 237.85 + 47.14 = 285.0 kN.m. The moment diagram now becomes:
As you can see, bending moment varies linearly in the beam since shear is constant within each
segment.
In segment 4, there is a drop in moment value. The value of bending moment at the right end of the
segment is 19.29 units less than its value at the left end of the segment. This difference in value is equal
to the negative shear area of the segment.
In segment 5, bending moment at the left end is 265.71 kN.m, and the segment’s shear area is -185.72.
Therefore, bending moment at the right end of the segment becomes: 265.71 – 185.72 = 79.99, or 80.0
kN-m. This value also represents the magnitude of the applied moment at the right end of the beam.
The completed moment diagram for the beam is shown below.
Example 2
The following beam is subjected to a distributed load and a series of concentrated loads and moments.
Let’s calculate the beam’s support reactions and draw its shear and moment diagrams.
To calculate the support reactions for the beam, we start by drawing its free-body diagram and choosing
a sign convention, shown below.
Given the sign convention above, we are ready to write the static equilibrium equations.
Since the sum of the forces in the x direction must be zero, we can conclude that 𝐴𝑥 = 0.
Furthermore, the sum of the forces in the y direction must be zero. Therefore, we can write:
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 − 70 − 50 − (20)(3) = 0
In its simplified form, the above equation can be written as:

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 − 180 = 0 [2]
For the moment equilibrium equation, let’s pick point A:
∑ 𝑀𝑧 @𝐴 = 0
In the expanded form, the moment equilibrium equation can be written as:
−60 + (4)(70) + 80 + (8)(50) − 100 + (60) − (13)(𝐵𝑦 ) + (14.5)(60) = 0
This simplifies to:
1470 − 13𝐵𝑦 = 0
Solving the above equation for 𝐵𝑦 , we get: 𝐵𝑦 = 113.08 𝑘𝑁. Now, using Equation [2], we can calculate
𝐴𝑦 : 𝐴𝑦 = 66.92 𝑘𝑁.
The analysis results for the beam are shown in the following diagram in which the unknown support
reactions have been replaced by the computed forces.
To draw the shear diagram, let’s remove the concentrated moments from the beam since these
moments don’t alter the shape of the shear diagram. The simplified beam is shown below.
Note that the loads divide the beam into four segments within which the applied load is either zero or
defined using a continuous function.
For segment 1, shear at the left end equals 66.92 kN. Since the segment is not subjected to any loads,
shear within the segment is constant.
The downward 70 kN load between segments 1 and 2 causes a drop in shear value by 70 units at the
point. As a result, shear at the left end of segment 2 becomes 66.92 – 70 = -3.08 kN. Within segment 2,
shear maintains its value of -3.08 kN, as shown in the following diagram.
Dr. Structure P a g e | 10
The downward 50 kN load between segments 2 and 3 causes shear to drop by 50 units. Hence, shear at
the left end of segment 3 becomes: -3.08 – 50 = - 53.08 kN. Shear remains constant at this value within
segment 3 (see diagram below).
The upward support reaction at B causes a jump in shear value at that point. The amount of jump
equals the magnitude of the reaction force. Therefore, shear at the left end of segment 4 is: -53.08 +
113.08 = 60 kN.
Since segment 4 is subjected to a uniformly distributed load, shear no longer remains constant. Rather,
it takes the shape of an inclined line, indicating linear decrease of shear within the segment. The amount
of decrease in value is equal to the area under the load diagram. The total area due to the distributed
load is: (3 m)(20 kN/m) = 60 kN. Therefore, shear at the right end of segment 4 equals: 60 – 60 = 0. This
is the expected/correct value since we know shear at the free end of the beam must be zero.
The completed shear diagram is shown below.
Now we are ready to construct the moment diagram. To do so, we start by placing the concentrated
moments back on the beam and then proceed to calculate the areas under the various regions of the
shear diagram, as illustrated below.
Note that, for drawing the moment diagram, the beam needs to be divided into 7 segments.
For segment 1, moment changes linearly from zero (at the left end of the segment) to 133.84 kN.m at
the right end of the segment. This change in value equals the shear area of the segment.
Between segments 1 and 2, the counterclockwise moment of 60 kN.m causes a drop in the moment
value by 60 units. Therefore, bending moment changes from 133.84 (at the right end of segment 1) to
133.84 – 60 = 73.84 kN.m at the left end of the segment.
Note that within segment 2, moment increases linearly from 73.84 kN.m to 73.84 + 133.84 = 207.68
kN.m. This difference in the value equals the shear area for the segment.
Within these segments, since shear is constant, the moment diagram behaves linearly.
In segment 3, bending moment drops in value by 6.16 units, as shown below. This drop in value is due to
the negative shear area associated with the segment.
Between segments 3 and 4, bending moment jumps by 80 units since a clockwise moment is being
applied on the beam at that point. And, because the shear area in this segment is negative, the moment
within the segment drops in value by 6.16 units, as depicted below.
Since the shear area for segment 5 is negative, moment decreases within the segment. The amount of
decrease is 106.16. Therefore, the magnitude of the moment at the right end of segment 5 becomes:
275.36 – 106.16 = 169.2 kN.m. This change is reflected in the following diagram.
The counterclockwise moment of 100 kN.m between segments 5 and 6 results in a drop in the moment
value at the end point joining the two segments. At the left end of segment 6, bending moment
becomes 169.2 – 100 = 69.2 kN.m. And since shear area for segment 6 is negative, moment keeps
decreasing within the segment. The value of the moment at the right end of segment 6 is: 69.2 – 159.24
≈ -90 kN.m.
In segment 7, there is a jump of 90 units in the moment value. This jump equals the shear area for the
segment. Consequently, bending moment changes from -90 kN-m at the left end of the segment to 0 at
the right end of the segment. Furthermore, since shear is linear within this segment, bending moment
takes the shape of a quadratic equation with a decreasing slope. Why a decreasing slope? Because the
slope of the moment diagram corresponds to the change in shear value. Since shear decreases (from left
to right), the slope of the moment diagram must decrease as well, as shown below.
Example 3
Let’s calculate the support reactions and draw the shear and moment diagrams for the simply supported
beam shown below.
To calculate the support reactions for the beam, we start by drawing its free-body diagram, shown
below. Note the chosen sign convention to the right of the diagram.
Using the above diagram, we can write the following equilibrium equations.
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝐴𝑥 = 0
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 − 10 − 15 − (12)(2) = 0
∑ 𝑀𝑧 @𝐴 = (8)(10) − 100 + (12)(15) + (12)(2)(10) − (20)(𝐵𝑦 ) = 0
The above equations simplify to:
𝐴𝑥 = 0
𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 − 49 = 0
400 − 20𝐵𝑦 = 0
Solving the above equations for 𝐴𝑦 and 𝐵𝑦 , we get: 𝐴𝑦 = 29 𝑘𝑁, 𝐵𝑦 = 20 𝑘𝑁.
We can now replace the unknown forces in the free-body diagram with our calculated values, as shown
below.
To draw the shear diagram, we can remove the concentrated moment from the beam since the moment
does not alter the shape of the shear diagram. The resulting shear diagram for the beam is shown
below.
As can be seen above, the loads divide the beam into 5 segments. Shear in segment 1 is constant with a
magnitude of 29 kN. This magnitude is the same as the magnitude of the support reaction at A.
In segment 2, shear changes from 29 kN to 21 kN. This decrease in shear value is due to the distributed
load being applied to the segment. The total load acting on the segment is (4 m)(2 kN/m) = 8 kN. Since
the load is acting downward, the change in shear is considered negative, causing an 8 unit drop in the
shear value.
At the left end of segment 3, shear drops by another 10 units due to the presence of the downward
concentrated load at that location. Within the segment, shear decreases by 8 units. This decrease in
value is equal to the total distributed load acting on the segment. Hence, at the right end of segment 3,
shear is: 11 – 8 = 3 kN.
At the left end of segment 4, the applied downward load of 15 kN causes a drop of 15 units in shear.
Then, shear decreases by 8 units within the segment. Again, this decrease in value is due to the total
(distributed) load acting on the segment.
Shear in segment 5 remains constant (-20 kN) since the segment is not subjected to any loads.
To draw the moment diagram for the beam, we place the concentrated moment back on the beam and
calculate the areas under the shear diagram. As shown below, for the purpose of drawing the moment
diagram, we can divide the beam into 6 segments.
The areas of the rectangles and trapezoids that define the shear diagram can be easily calculated. The
values are given in the above diagram, and the moment diagram for the beam is shown below.
In segment 1, bending moment changes from zero to 116 kN.m since the shear area for the segment is
116. The moment diagram in this segment is linear.
The moment value at the right end of segment 2 can be easily calculated by adding the shear area for
the segment to the previous moment value. That is, bending moment at the right end of the segment
equals 116 + 100 = 216 kN.m. Since shear in this segment of the beam is linear, the moment diagram
becomes quadratic in shape with a decreasing slope. Why does the slope of the curve decrease from left
to right? Because shear decreases in value from left to right in this segment.
In segment 3, bending moment remains quadratic in shape with a decreasing slope since shear is linear
with a decreasing value within the segment. The value of bending moment at the right end of the
segment equals 216 (moment at the left end of the segment) + 18 (area under the shear diagram) = 234
kN.m.
At the left end of segment 4, there is a drop in the moment value. This drop is due to the presence of
the applied counterclockwise moment at that point. The amount of drop in moment value is 100 units,
the same as the magnitude of the concentrated moment. Within segment 4, bending moment increases
from 134 kN.m to 144 kN.m due to the positive area under the shear diagram. This positive area is 10
units.
Moment continues to decrease in segment 5. It decreases from 144 kN.m to 80 kN.m. The amount of
decrease is equal to the area under the shear diagram in the segment.
Finally, in segment 6, bending becomes linear again, decreasing from 80 kN.m to 0 kN.m. The amount of
decrease in moment value equals the area under the shear diagram in the segment.
Example 4:
Consider the following beam. There is an internal hinge between points A and B. We wish to calculate
the support reactions and draw the shear and moment diagrams for the beam.
To calculate the reaction forces, we separate the beam at the hinge into two segments and draw the
free-body diagram for each segment, as shown below.
We then write the static equilibrium equations for the left segment as follows.
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐸𝑥 = 0
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐸𝑦 − (4)(3) = 0
∑ 𝑀@𝐴 = (4)(3)(2) − 4𝐸𝑦 = 0
We can solve the second and third equations for 𝐴𝑦 and 𝐸𝑦 .
𝐴𝑦 = 6 𝑘𝑁
𝐸𝑦 = 6 𝑘𝑁
Now, re-draw the free-body diagram for the right segment of the beam substituting 6 kN for 𝐸𝑦 .
The equilibrium equations for the above free-body diagram are:
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 𝐸𝑥 = 0
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐶𝑦 − 6 − (2)(3) − 20 − 10 = 0
∑ 𝑀@𝐸 = (2)(3)(1) − 2𝐵𝑦 + (4)(20) − 6𝐶𝑦 + (9)(10) = 0
Solving the second and third equations above for 𝐵𝑦 and 𝐶𝑦 , we get:
𝐵𝑦 = 19 𝑘𝑁
𝐶𝑦 = 23 𝑘𝑁
And from the first equation we know that 𝐸𝑥 = 0. Therefore, 𝐴𝑥 = 0.
The computed support reactions for the beam are shown below.
Note that the loads and reaction forces divide the beam into four segments. In drawing the shear
diagram, we can start from the left end of the beam (from segment 1) and work our way toward the
right end of the beam (segment 4). At the left end of segment 1, there is an upward reaction force of 6
kN. This force corresponds to a positive shear at end A. Since the area under the load diagram is (6)(3) =
18, and the load is downward, then shear at the right end of the segment is: 6 – 18 = -12 kN.
The shear diagram for segment 1 is shown below.
Since there is an upward reaction force of 19 kN at B, shear at B increases by 19 units. It jumps from -12
to +7. Therefore, shear at the left end of segment 2 is 7 kN. Shear remains constant in segment 2 as the
segment is not subjected to any loads (see below).
The downward load of 20 kN causes a drop in the shear value at the point of application of the load.
Shear drops by 20 units, it drops from 7 kN to -13 kN. Therefore, shear at the left end of segment 3 is -13
kN and it remains constant throughout the segment, as depicted below.
At point C, shear jumps by 23 units (the magnitude of the upward reaction force at C). Therefore, shear
at the left end of segment 4 is 10 kN. Shear remains constant in the segment resulting in the following
shear diagram for the beam.
Although we already computed the shear force at the hinge, we can also determine it using the shear
diagram. Since shear is linear in segment 1, using the law of similar triangles, we can infer that shear at
the hinge is -6 kN, as depicted below.
The areas under the shear diagram can be easily computed. Let’s divide segment 1 into two segments,
one having a positive shear area and one having a negative shear area. These segments and the shear
areas are shown in the following diagram.
We are now ready to draw the moment diagram for the beam.
Bending moment at the left end of segment 1L is zero. Bending moment at the right end of the segment
is 0 + 6 = 6 kN.m, as shown below.
Note that since shear in this segment is linear (not constant), moment varies in a nonlinear fashion.
Furthermore, since shear is decreasing in value (from left to right), the slope of the moment diagram
decreases from left to right.
In segment 1R, bending moment changes from +6 (at the left end of segment) to +6 – 24 = - 18 kN.m (at
the right end of the segment). Furthermore, since shear in the segment is linear and decreases in value
(from left to right), the moment diagram must have a decreasing slope (from left to right) a, as shown
below.
Note that as shown in the above diagram, bending moment at the hinge is zero.
For segment 2, bending moment changes from -18 (at the left end of the segment) to -18 + 14 = -4 kN.m
(at the right end of the segment). Bending moment varies linearly in this segment since shear in the
segment is constant. In Segment 3, bending moment drops linearly from -4 kN to -4 – 26 = -30 kN.m.
Similarly, in segment 4, bending moment varies linearly; it changes from -30 kN.m at the left end of the
segment to -30 + 30 = 0 at the right end of the segment. The complete bending moment diagram for the
beam is shown below.

Lecture Notes (Shear and Moment Examples)

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Structural Analysis I (Lecture Notes) Shear and Moment Diagrams

In its simplified form, the above equation can be written as:

(3)(20) + (7)(30) + (10)(40) + (60) − (80) − (14)(𝐵𝑦 ) = 0

which then simplifies to:

The completed moment diagram for the beam is shown below.

In its simplified form, the above equation can be written as:

For the moment equilibrium equation, let’s pick point A:

−60 + (4)(70) + 80 + (8)(50) − 100 + (60) − (13)(𝐵𝑦 ) + (14.5)(60) = 0

This simplifies to:

The completed shear diagram is shown below.

∑ 𝑀𝑧 @𝐴 = (8)(10) − 100 + (12)(15) + (12)(2)(10) − (20)(𝐵𝑦 ) = 0

The above equations simplify to:

Solving the above equations for 𝐴𝑦 and 𝐵𝑦 , we get: 𝐴𝑦 = 29 𝑘𝑁, 𝐵𝑦 = 20 𝑘𝑁.

∑ 𝑀@𝐴 = (4)(3)(2) − 4𝐸𝑦 = 0

We can solve the second and third equations for 𝐴𝑦 and 𝐸𝑦 .

The equilibrium equations for the above free-body diagram are:

∑ 𝑀@𝐸 = (2)(3)(1) − 2𝐵𝑦 + (4)(20) − 6𝐶𝑦 + (9)(10) = 0

And from the first equation we know that 𝐸𝑥 = 0. Therefore, 𝐴𝑥 = 0.

The shear diagram for segment 1 is shown below.

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