Influence Lines for

Statically Determinate
Structures
JOHN REY M. PACTURANAN
Faculty Member, College of Engineering
Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
johnreypacturanan@cspc.com.ph

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Topic Outline

01 Introduction 04 Application of
Influence Lines

02 Qualitative Influence 05 Absolute Maximum

Lines Response

Influence Lines for Influence Lines for

03 Statically Determinate 06 Statically Determinate
Beams Trusses

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Reference:
Kassimali, Aslam (2011).
Structural Analysis, SI Edition
(4th Ed.). Stamford, CT., USA.
Cengage Learning.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Other References:
Leet, K.M., et al (2011). Fundamentals of Hibbeler, R.C. (2015). Structural Analysis
Structural Analysis (5th Ed.). New York, NY., (9th Ed.).Upper Saddle River, NJ., Pearson
USA. McGraw Hill Education. Prentice Hall.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Let’s Start!!!

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR
INTRODUCTION
TRANSMITTING LOADS

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architecture-bridges-hd-art-wallpaper-qfytv
Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan
Introduction

An Influence Line is a graphical representation of

the support reaction or internal reactions at any fixed
point of the structure subjected to unit concentrated
moving load. The example below will help you
understand the definition stated above.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 1
Consider a simply-supported beam below.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 1
a.Sketch the influence line for the reaction at A due
to the moving unit load.

b.Sketch the influence line for the shear at C due to

the moving unit load.

c.Sketch the influence line for the bending moment

at C due to the moving unit load.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

STRUCTURAL
QUALITATIVESYSTEM
INFLUENCE
FOR
LINES
TRANSMITTING LOADS

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Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan
Qualitative Influence Lines
The process of sketching the influence line of the
beam in the previous section is lengthy. However, it can
be sketched accurately by using a technique developed
by Heinrich Muller
ሷ – Breslau in 1886 and this technique
is called Muller
ሷ – Breslau Principle.

The following assumptions are guide to effectively

sketch the influence lines of the beam. Take note that
the unit moving concentrated load is directed
downward.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Qualitative Influence Lines
1. Assume the beam is rigid for imaginary movements.

2. For influence line for the support reaction, remove the

support to be considered and replace it by an upward
force. Then imagine the movement of the beam.

3. For influence line for the shear at any point of the beam,
cut the beam at the point to be considered. Apply a
downward shear at the cutting point in the left cut and an
upward shear at the cutting point in the right cut.
Imagine the movement of the beam.
Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan
Qualitative Influence Lines
4. For influence line for the bending moment at any point of
the beam, cut the beam at the point to be considered.
Apply a counterclockwise moment at the cutting point in
the left cut and a clockwise moment at the cutting point in
the right cut. Imagine the movement of the beam.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 2
Sketch the qualitative influence line for the reaction at A,
reaction at B, shear at C and moment at C of the beam
shown below.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 3
Sketch the qualitative influence line for the reaction at A,
reaction at B, shear at C, moment at C, moment at A and
moment at B of the beam shown below.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 4
Sketch the qualitative influence line for the vertical
reaction at A, moment reaction at A, shear at B and
moment at B.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 5
Sketch the qualitative influence line for the shear and
bending moment at C.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 6
The geometry of the compound beam is given below.
Sketch the qualitative influence line for the support
reactions at A, B and D. Sketch as well the qualitative
influence line for the shear and moment at E. Take note
that C is an internal pin.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 7
Sketch the qualitative influence lines for the vertical
reaction at A, moment at A and reaction at C. Sketch as
well the qualitative influence lines for shear and moment at
D and E. Take note that B is an internal pin.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
INFLUENCE LINES FOR
FOR STATICALLY
TRANSMITTING LOADS
DETERMINATE BEAMS

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Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan
INFLUENCE LINES FOR STATICALLY
DETERMINATE BEAMS

The previous section discussed the process of

determining the shape of influence line by using the Muller
ሷ
– Breslau Principle. However, the shape only is not enough
for the analysis of structures, the ordinates must be
included in the influence line to make it useful. The
examples below show the simple process of obtaining the
ordinates of the influence lines using its shape obtained in
the previous section.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 8
Sketch the detailed influence line for the reaction at A,
reaction at B, shear at C and moment at C. Place all
important ordinates and dimensions in the sketch.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 9
Sketch the detailed influence line for the vertical reaction
at A, moment reaction at A, shear at B and moment at B.
Place all important ordinates and dimensions in the sketch.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 10
Sketch the detailed influence line for the shear and moment
at C. Place all important ordinates and dimensions in the
sketch.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 11
The geometry of the compound beam is given below.
Sketch the detailed influence line for the support reactions
at A, B and D. Sketch as well the detailed influence line for
the shear and moment at E. Place all important ordinates
and dimensions in the sketch.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 12
Sketch the detailed influence line for the vertical reaction
at A, moment at A and reaction at C. Sketch as well the
detailed influence lines for shear and moment at D and E.
Place all important ordinates and dimensions in the sketch.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
APPLICATION OF FOR
INFLUENCE LINES
TRANSMITTING LOADS

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_cityscapes_Harbour_landscapes_skyline_skyscrapers_Sydney_Towns_55405
Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan
APPLICATION OF INFLUENCE LINES
The main reason why influence lines are part of the
analysis is to determine the effect of moving live load on
the structure, and to predict the maximum load a structure
will resist due to these loads. The following examples will
show the process to determine the maximum reactions in
the beam by applying its influence lines.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 13
The beam, as shown below, is loaded with a uniform
moving live load of 15 kN/m.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 13
a. What is the maximum reaction at A due to this load?
b. What is the maximum reaction at B due to this load?
c. What is the maximum positive shear at C due to this
load?
d. What is the maximum negative shear at C due to this
load?
e. What is the maximum positive moment at C due to this
load?
f. What is the maximum negative moment at C due to this
load?
g.What is the maximum moment at A due to this load?
h. What is the maximum moment at B due to this load?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 14
The compound beam is loaded with uniform dead load of 5
kN/m and a uniform moving load of 12 kN/m.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 14
a. What is the maximum reaction at A due to these loads?
b. What is the maximum reaction at B due to these loads?
c. What is the maximum reaction at D due to these loads?
d. What is the maximum shear at E due to these loads?
e. What is the maximum positive moment at E due to these
loads?
f. What is the maximum negative moment at E due to these
loads?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 15
The beam shown below will carry a moving uniform load of
10 kN/m and a moving concentrated load of 65 kN.
a. What is the maximum shear at C due to these loads?
b. What is the maximum bending moment at C due to
these loads?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 16
The beam shown below will carry a moving uniform load of
8.5 kN/m and a moving concentrated load of 56 kN.
a. What is the maximum shear at D due to these loads?
b. What is the maximum bending moment at D due to
these loads?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 17
A simply-supported beam 15 m long is subjected to a series
of moving concentrated loads as shown below.
a. What is the maximum shear at C due to these loads?
b. What is the maximum moment at C due to these
loads?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 18
The beam, as shown below, is loaded with uniform dead
load of 5 kN/m, uniform live load of 15 kN/m and a series
of moving concentrated loads as shown below.
a. Determine the maximum shear in point A.
b. Determine the maximum moment in point A.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM
RESPONSE
TRANSMITTING LOADS

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ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
In the previous discussion, the influence line is useful
in determining the maximum shear and moment at a
specific point of the beam. However, the values obtained
does not represent the actual maximum shear and moment
caused by the moving load in the beam. This section of the
chapter will discuss the ways to determine the actual
(absolute) maximum shear and moment due to moving
loads.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 19:
A car, as shown below, has the following axle loads. It will
pass through a bridge with a simple span of 25 m. The
distance between the wheels of the car is 4 m.

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Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan
Example 19
a. What is the absolute maximum shear caused by the car
to the bridge?
b. What is the absolute maximum moment caused by the
car to the bridge?
c. Where is the location of the absolute maximum moment
from the left support?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 20

The truck, as shown below, will pass through a bridge

with a simple span of 30 m.

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Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan
Example 20
a. What is the absolute maximum shear in the bridge due
to the passing truck?
b. What is the absolute maximum moment in the bridge
due to the passing truck?
c. Determine the location of the absolute maximum
moment of the truck from the right support.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 21 (Past Board Exam Question)

A truck and trailer combination having an axle load as

shown below will pass in the bridge with a span of 12
m.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 21 (Past Board Exam Question)
a. What is the absolute maximum shear in the bridge due
to the passing truck?
b. What is the absolute maximum moment in the bridge
due to the passing truck?
c. Determine the location of the absolute maximum
moment of the truck from the midspan.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
INFLUENCE LINES FOR
FOR STATICALLY
TRANSMITTING LOADS
DETERMINATE TRUSSES

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volga-river-at-sunset-gm689366902-126911101
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Influence Lines for Statically Determinate
Trusses
The concept of sketching the influence line for
trusses is just the same with that of the beams.
However, the influence line will represent the axial load
in the member of the truss, thus, the ordinate will be
positive if the member experiences tension and
negative if it experiences compression.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 22

Consider the truss shown below:

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 22
a. Sketch the influence line for member AF.
b. Sketch the influence line for member AB.
c. Sketch the influence line for member CE.

If the truss is subjected to uniform dead load of 6 kN/m,

uniform live load of 15 kN/m, and a concentrated live load
of 50 kN, determine:
d. Maximum axial force in AF.
e. Maximum axial force in AB.
f. Maximum axial force in CE.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 23
A truss, whose members are arranged to form series of
equilateral triangles, is loaded with uniform dead load
of 15 kN/m, uniform live load of 50 kN/m, and a
concentrated load of 150 kN.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 23
a. What is the maximum axial force in member AB?
b. What is the maximum axial force in member BF?
c. What is the maximum axial force in member EF?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Any Questions?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Thank You !

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan