SHEAR AND

MOMENT IN
BEAMS
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. MINETTE MERCA
 INTRODUCTION
Beams are structural members supporting loads applied at various points along
the member. In most cases, the loads are perpendicular to the member. The
transverse loading cause only bending and shear in the beam. When the loads
are not at a right angle to the beam, they produce axial forces in the beam.

Beams support loadings that are applied perpendicular to their axes. If they are
designed on the basis of strength, they must resist allowable shear and bending
stresses
Transversely loaded beams:

INTRODUCTION
Common beam support configurations:
 SHEAR AND MOMENT DIAGRAMS
1. Consider a simple beam shown of length L that
carries a uniform load of w (N/m) throughout its
length and is held in equilibrium by reactions 𝑅1 and
𝑅2 .
2. Assume that the beam is cut at point distance of x
from the left support and the portion of the beam to
the right of C be removed.
3. The portion removed must then be replaced by
vertical shearing force V together with a couple M to
hold the left portion of the bar in equilibrium under
the action of 𝑅1 and wx.
4. The couple M is called the resisting moment or
moment and the force V is called the resisting shear
or shear. The sign of V and M are taken to be positive
if they have the senses indicated above.
 DIAGRAMS
SHEAR AND MOMENT
Write shear and moment equations for the beams in the following problems. In
each problem, let x be the distance measured from left end of the beam. Also,
draw shear and moment diagrams, specifying values at all change of loading
positions and at points of zero shear. Neglect the mass of the beam in each
problem.

Sample Problem 1:
Write shear and moment equations for the Solution:

DIAGRAMS
SHEAR AND MOMENT
beams in the following problems. In each
problem, let x be the distance measured
from left end of the beam. Also, draw
shear and moment diagrams, specifying
values at all change of loading positions
and at points of zero shear. Neglect the
mass of the beam in each problem.

Sample Problem 1:
 DIAGRAMS
SHEAR AND MOMENT
Write shear and moment equations for the beams in the following problems. In
each problem, let x be the distance measured from left end of the beam. Also,
draw shear and moment diagrams, specifying values at all change of loading
positions and at points of zero shear. Neglect the mass of the beam in each
problem.

Sample Problem 2:
Write shear and moment equations for Solution:

DIAGRAMS
SHEAR AND MOMENT
the beams in the following problems. In
each problem, let x be the distance
measured from left end of the beam.
Also, draw shear and moment diagrams,
specifying values at all change of loading
positions and at points of zero shear.
Neglect the mass of the beam in each
problem.

Sample Problem 2:
 SHEAR AND MOMENT
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOAD,
The vertical shear at C in the figure shown in previous section is taken as
𝑉𝑐 = (σ 𝐹𝑣 )𝐿 = 𝑅1 − 𝑤𝑥
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑅1 = 𝑅2 = 𝑤𝐿/2
𝑉𝑐 = 𝑤𝐿/2 − 𝑤𝑥
𝑤𝐿 𝑥
𝑀𝑐 = ෍ 𝑀𝑐 = 𝑥 − 𝑤𝑥
2 2
𝑤𝐿 𝑤𝑥 2
𝑀𝑐 = 𝑥−
2 2
If we differentiate M with respect to x:
𝑑𝑀 𝑤𝐿 𝑑𝑥 𝑤 𝑑𝑥
= − 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑀 𝑤𝐿
= − 𝑤𝑥 = 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓
𝑑𝑥 2
Thus,
𝑑𝑀
=V
𝑑𝑥
 SHEAR AND MOMENT
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOAD,
𝑑𝑀
=V
𝑑𝑥
The rate of the bending moment with respect to x is equal to the shearing force, or the
slope of the moment diagram at any given point is the shear at that point.

Differentiate V with respect to x gives

𝑑𝑀 𝑤𝐿
𝑉= = − 𝑤𝑥
𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑𝑉
=0−𝑤
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑉
= 𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅
𝑑𝑥

Thus, the rate of change of the shearing force with respect to x is equal to the load or
the slope of the shear diagram at a given point equals the load at that point.
 MOMENT DIAGRAMS
PROPERTIES OF SHEAR AND
The following are some important properties of shear and moment diagrams:
1. The area of the shear diagram to the left or to the right of the section is equal to
the moment at that section.
2. The slope of the moment diagram at a given point is the shear at that point.
3. The slope of the shear diagram at a given point equals the load at that point.
4. The maximum moment occurs at the point of zero shears. This is in reference to
property number 2, that when the shear (also the slope of the moment diagram) is
zero, the tangent drawn to the moment diagram is horizontal.
5. When the shear diagram is increasing, the moment diagram is concave upward.
6. When the shear diagram is decreasing, the moment diagram is concave downward.
 SIGN CONVENTIONS
The customary sign conventions for shearing force and bending moment are
represented by the figures below. A force that tends to bend the beam downward is
said to produce a positive bending moment. A force that tends to shear the left portion
of the beam upward with respect to the right portion is said to produce a positive
shearing force.
 DIAGRAMS
SHEAR AND MOMENT
Without writing shear and moment equations, draw the shear and moment
diagrams for the beams specified in the following problems. Give numerical
values at all change of loading positions and at all points of zero shear.

Sample Problem 3:
Without writing shear and moment Solution:

DIAGRAMS
SHEAR AND MOMENT
equations, draw the shear and moment
diagrams for the beams specified in the
following problems. Give numerical
values at all change of loading positions
and at all points of zero shear.

Sample Problem 3:
 DIAGRAMS
SHEAR AND MOMENT
Without writing shear and moment equations, draw the shear and moment
diagrams for the beams specified in the following problems. Give numerical
values at all change of loading positions and at all points of zero shear.

Sample Problem 4:
Without writing shear and moment Solution:
equations, draw the shear and moment

DIAGRAMS
SHEAR AND MOMENT
diagrams for the beams specified in the
following problems. Give numerical values at
all change of loading positions and at all
points of zero shear.

Sample Problem 4:
 MOVING LOADS
Beams and girders such as in a bridge or an overhead crane are subject to
moving concentrated loads, which are at fixed distance with each other. The
problem here is to determine the moment under each load when each load is in
a position to cause a maximum moment. The largest value of these moments
governs the design of the beam.
R
x

d
Steps in solving for maximum moment and shear of moving loads:

MOVING LOADS
1. Solve for the resultant load and location of resultant load.
2. To solve for maximum moment: Solve for maximum moment of each load
by positioning the center of the beam between the load and the resultant
load. Do this for all the moving loads and compute for the maximum
moment under each load by solving for the moment to the right or to the
left of the load. Use the biggest of the moments for design.
3. To solve for maximum shear: The maximum shear occurs at the reaction
where the resultant load is nearest. It is usually determined by placing the
biggest load over that support and as many possible remaining loads are still
on the span.

Note: In determining the largest shear and moment, it is sometimes necessary to check the
condition when the bigger loads are on the span and the rest of the smaller loads are
outside.
Sample Problem 5:
A truck with axle loads of 40 kN and 60 kN on a wheel base of 5 m rolls across a 10-m span.

MOVING LOADS
Compute the maximum bending moment and the maximum shearing force.
Sample Problem 5:
A truck with axle loads of 40 kN and
60 kN on a wheel base of 5 m rolls
across a 10-m span. Compute the
maximum bending moment and the
maximum shearing force.
Solution:
MOVING LOADS
Steps in solving for maximum moment and shear of
moving loads:
1. Solve for the resultant load and location of resultant
load.
2. To solve for maximum moment: Solve for maximum
moment of each load by positioning the center of the
beam between the load and the resultant load. Do
this for all the moving loads and compute for the
maximum moment under each load by solving for the
moment to the right or to the left of the load. Use the
biggest of the moments for design.
3. To solve for maximum shear: The maximum shear
occurs at the reaction where the resultant load is
nearest. It is usually determined by placing the
biggest load over that support and as many possible
remaining loads are still on the span.
Sample Problem 6:
Three wheel loads roll as a unit across a 44-ft span. The loads are P1 = 4000 lb and P2 =

MOVING LOADS
8000 lb separated by 9 ft, and P3 = 6000 lb at 18 ft from P2. Determine the maximum
moment and maximum shear in the simply supported span.
Sample Problem 6: Solution:

MOVING LOADS
Three wheel loads roll as a unit across Steps in solving for maximum moment and shear of
a 44-ft span. The loads are P1 = 4000 lb moving loads:
and P2 = 8000 lb separated by 9 ft, and 1. Solve for the resultant load and location of resultant
load.
P3 = 6000 lb at 18 ft from P2.
2. To solve for maximum moment: Solve for maximum
Determine the maximum moment and moment of each load by positioning the center of the
maximum shear in the simply beam between the load and the resultant load. Do
supported span. this for all the moving loads and compute for the
maximum moment under each load by solving for the
moment to the right or to the left of the load. Use the
biggest of the moments for design.
3. To solve for maximum shear: The maximum shear
occurs at the reaction where the resultant load is
nearest. It is usually determined by placing the
biggest load over that support and as many possible
remaining loads are still on the span.
 MOVING LOADS
Assignment:

A truck and trailer combination crossing a 12-m span has axle loads of 10, 20, and 30 kN
separated respectively by distances of 3 and 5 m. Compute the maximum moment and
maximum shear developed in the span.
 REFERENCES
Strength of Materials 4th ed by Singer and Pytel
THANKS