Muller-Breslau Principle

Steven Vukazich
San Jose State University
 Influence Lines for Our Model Problem

x= Cy
A D 0 0
B
5m 0
C
9–m 0
9m 6m 3m 12 m 0.5
15 m 1.0
18 m 1.5
Cy 1.5

+
0
 Influence Lines for Our Model Problem

x= Ay
A D
B 0 1
C 5m 1
9m 6m 3m 9–m 1
12 m 0.5
15 m 0
Ay 18 m – 0.5

1.0

+
0

– 0.5
 Influence Lines for Our Model Problem

x= MA
A D
B 0 0
C 5m –5m
9m 6m 3m 9–m –9m
12 m – 4.5 m
MA 15 m 0
18 m 4.5 m
4.5 m

0 +

– 9.0 m
 Influence Lines for Our Model Problem

A O D
B
5m
C

9m 6m 3m

VO

0
– 0.5
 Influence Lines for Our Model Problem

A O D
B
5m
C

9m 6m 3m

MO
2.0 m
0

– 4.0 m
General procedure for the applying the Muller-Breslau
principle to find the shape of influence lines

1. Remove the ability for the structure to resist

the response quantity (e.g. reaction, internal
shear, internal bending moment at a particular
point). For a determinate structure this will
result in an unstable structure.
2. Apply the response quantity to the modified
unstable structure from Step 1.
3. The rigid body motion of the modified
unstable structure is the shape of the influence
line for the response quantity.
 Shape of Cy Influence Line
Use the Muller-Breslau Principle to find the shape of the influence line
for the support reaction at C for our model problem:

A D
B
C
9m 6m Remove the roller support at C

3m
x

1. Remove the ability for the structure to resist the response

quantity (e.g. reaction, internal shear, internal bending
moment at a particular point). For a determinate
structure this will result in an unstable structure.
 Shape of Cy Influence Line
Use the Muller-Breslau Principle to find the shape of the influence line
for the support reaction at C for our model problem:

A D
B
Cy
9m 6m Apply Cy consistent
with positive sign converntion
3m
x

2. Apply the response quantity to the modified unstable structure

from Step 1.
 Shape of Cy Influence Line
Use the Muller-Breslau Principle to find the shape of the influence line
for the support reaction at C for our model problem:

A D
B
Cy
9m 6m Shape of Cy Influence Line!

3m Cy
x
A B C D

3. The rigid body motion of the modified unstable structure is

the shape of the influence line for the response quantity.
 Shape of Ay Influence Line
Use the Muller-Breslau Principle to find the shape of the influence line
for the vertical support reaction at A for our model problem:

D
B
C
A 9m 6m

3m
x
Remove the ability of the
Support to resist vertical motion.
Rotation is still restrained
 Shape of Ay Influence Line

D
B
Ay C
9m 6m
A 3m
x
Apply Ay consistent
with positive sign convention
 Shape of Ay Influence Line

D
B
Ay C
9m 6m
Shape of Ay Influence Line!
A 3m
Ay
x

A B C D
 Shape of MA Influence Line
Use the Muller-Breslau Principle to find the shape of the influence line
for the moment reaction at A for our model problem:

A
D
B
C

9m 6m 3m

Remove the ability of the

Support to resist rotation.
Vertical movement is restrained
 Shape of MA Influence Line

MA

A D
B
C

9m 6m 3m

Apply MA consistent
with positive sign convention
 Shape of MA Influence Line

MA

D
A
B C

9m 6m 3m
Shape of MA Influence Line!

MA

A B C D
 Shape of VO Influence Line
Use the Muller-Breslau Principle to find the shape of the influence line
for the internal shear force at O for our model problem:

A O D
B
5m

C
9m 6m 3m
Remove the ability of point O to
resist shear force.
Rotation is still restrained
 Shape of VO Influence Line

VO

A O D
B

5m
VO
C
9m 6m 3m

Apply VO consistent
with positive sign convention
 Shape of VO Influence Line

VO

A O D
B

5m
VO
C Shape of VO influence line!
9m 6m 3m
VO

A O B C D
 Shape of MO Influence Line
Use the Muller-Breslau Principle to find the shape of the influence line
for the internal shear force at O for our model problem:

A O D
B
5m
C
9m 6m 3m
Remove the ability of point O to
resist bending moment.
Shear is still restrained.
 Shape of MO Influence Line

MO MO

A O D
B
5m
C

9m 6m 3m

Apply MO consistent
with positive sign convention
 Shape of MO Influence Line

MO MO

A O D
B
5m
C Shape of MO influence line!
9m 6m 3m
MO

A O B C D