Strength of Materials

STRENGTH
MODULE 02
 Holy Angel University
School of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering

Lecture 05

Shear and Moment in

Beams

Introduction This lecture is an in-depth discussion of shear and moment in

Beams.

This lecture focuses on

Content  Shear and Moment in Beams

Objectives After this lecture, the student should be able to

 Analyze the different supports and loads in
beams
 Calculate the shear and moment
 Construct the shear and moment diagram

Related These are supplemental content necessary for this route

 The Efficient Engineer. (2019, November 20).
Understanding Shear Force and Bending Moment
Readings Diagrams. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-FEVzI8oe8

References Chakraborti, M. (2018). Strength of materials (SI Units). New Delhi: S.K. Kataria &
Sons

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams

Chapter I: Shear and Moment in Beams

The term beam refers to a slender bar that carries transverse loading; that is, the applied forces are
perpendicular to the bar.

In a beam, the internal force system consists of a shear force and a bending moment acting on a cross-
section of the bar. The internal forces give rise to two kinds of stresses on a transverse section of a
beam: (1) Normal stress that is caused by the bending moment and (2) shear stress due to the shear
force.

Supports and Loads

Beams are classified according to their supports. A beam that has a pin support at one end and a roller
support at the other end is called a simply supported beam. The pin support prevents displacement of
the end of the beam, but not its rotation. The term roller support refers to a pin connection that is
free to move parallel to the axis of the beam; hence, this type of support suppresses only the
transverse displacement. A cantilever beam is built into a rigid support at one end, with the other end
being free. The built-in support prevents displacements as well as rotations of the end of the beam. An
overhanging beam is supported by a pin and a roller support, with one or both ends of the beam
extending beyond the supports. The three types of beams are statically determinate because the
support reactions can be found from the equilibrium equations. They are shown at the image below.

A concentrated load is an approximation of a force that acts over a very small area. In contrast, a
distributed load is applied over a finite area. If the distributed load acts on a very narrow area,
the load may be approximated by a line load. The intensity of this loading is expressed as force per unit
length (lb/ft, N/m, etc.). The load distribution may be uniform, or it may vary with distance along
the beam. The weight of the beam is an example of distributed loading, but its magnitude is usually
small compared to the applied loads. We may refer to the image above for the types of loads.

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams
There are some beams that are over-
supported in the sense that each beam
has at least one more reaction than is
necessary for support. Such beams are
statically indeterminate. The presence of
these redundant supports requires the
use of additional equations obtained by
considering the deformation of the
beam. Examples of statically
indeterminate beams can be seen on
the image on the right.

Sign Convention

For consistency, it is necessary to adopt sign

conventions for applied loading, shear forces and
bending moments. Assume the following to be positive:
1. External forces that are directed upward, external
couples that are directed clockwise
2. Shear forces that tend to rotate beam element
clockwise.
3. Bending moments that tend to bend a beam
element concave upward.

Shear and Moment of Beams by Analytical Method (Equations)

Because of the applied loadings, beams develop an internal shear force and bending moment that, in
general, vary from point to point along the axis of the beam. In order to properly design a beam, it
therefore becomes necessary to determine the maximum shear and moment in the beam. One way to
do this is to express V and M as functions of their arbitrary position x along the beam’s axis. These
shear and moment functions can then be plotted and represented by graphs called shear and moment
diagrams. The maximum values of V and M can then be obtained from these graphs. Also, since the
shear and moment diagrams provide detailed information about the variation of the shear and
moment along the beam’s axis, they are often used by engineers to decide where to place
reinforcement materials within the beam or how to proportion the size of the beam at various points
along its length.

In order to formulate V and M in terms of x we must choose the origin and the positive
direction for x. Although the choice is arbitrary, most often the origin is located at the left end of the
beam and the positive direction is to the right.

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams
In general, the internal shear and moment functions of x will be discontinuous, or their slope
will be discontinuous, at points where a distributed load changes or where concentrated forces or
couple moments are applied. Because of this, the shear and moment functions must be determined
for each region of the beam between any two discontinuities of loading. For example, coordinates
and will have to be used to describe the variation of V and M throughout the length of the beam in
the figure below. These coordinates will be valid only within the regions from A to B for from B to C for
and from C to D for x3.

Before presenting a method for determining the shear and moment as functions of x and later plotting
these functions (shear and moment diagrams), it is first necessary to establish a sign convention so as
to define “positive” and “negative” values for V and M. Although the choice of a sign convention is
arbitrary, here we will use the one often used in engineering practice and shown. The positive
directions are as follows: the distributed load acts upward on the beam; the internal shear force causes
a clockwise rotation of the beam segment on which it acts; and the internal moment causes
compression in the top fibers of the segment such that it bends the segment so that it holds water.
Loadings that are opposite to these are considered negative.

PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS. The shear and moment diagrams for a beam can be constructed using
the following procedure:
Support Reactions.
• Determine all the reactive forces and couple moments acting on the beam, and resolve all the forces
into components acting perpendicular and parallel to the beam’s axis.
Shear and Moment Functions.
• Specify separate coordinates x having an origin at the beam’s left end and extending to regions of
the beam between concentrated forces and/or couple moments, or where there is no discontinuity of
distributed loading.
• Section the beam at each distance x, and draw the free-body diagram of one of the segments. Be
sure V and M are shown acting in their positive sense, in accordance with the sign convention.
• The shear is obtained by summing forces perpendicular to the beam’s axis.
• To eliminate V, the moment is obtained directly by summing moments about the sectioned end of
the segment.

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams
Shear and Moment Diagrams.
• Plot the shear diagram (V versus x) and the moment diagram (M versus x). If numerical values of the
functions describing V and M are positive, the values are plotted above the x axis, whereas negative
values are plotted below the axis.
• Generally, it is convenient to show the shear and moment diagrams below the free-body diagram of
the beam.

PROBLEM #1: Draw the shear and moment diagram of the simply supported beam. Also, determine
the maximum shear and the maximum moment acting on the beam. Neglect the weight of the beam.

SOLUTION: Before anything else, we should solve first

for the support reactions. The FBD of the beam is shown
on the right.

∑FX = 0 +
Ax = 0 k

∑MA = 0 (cw+)
-(Cy)(7 ft) + (14 k)(3.5 ft) = 0
Cy = 7 k

∑Fy = 0 +
Ay + Cy – 14 k = 0
Ay = 7 k

Next, we are going to divide the beam into sections. In here, it is recommended to divide the beam
into two sections, separated by the 14-k load.
a b
And then we are going to draw the sections one by
one, and then get the shear and moment equations. In
here, all our sections are facing left. This makes point A
as our point of origin.

SECTION a-a’ (0 ≥ x ≥ 3.5) a' b'

∑Fy @ a-a’ = 0 +
Ay – Va-a’ = 0 Ma-a’
Va-a’ = 7 x
Na-a’ = 0
∑Ma-a’ = 0 (cw+)
-Ma-a’ + (7)(x) = 0
Va-a’
Ma-a’ = 7x

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams
SECTION b-b’ (3.5 ≥ x ≥ 7)

∑Fy @ a-a’ = 0 +
x – 3.5
Ay – 14 – Vb-b’ = 0
Mb-b’
Vb-b’ = -7 () x
Nb-b’ = 0
∑Ma-a’ = 0 (cw+)
-Ma-a’ + (Ay)(x) – (14)(x-3.5) = 0
Ma-a’ = -7x + 49 Vb-b’

If we are going to summarize our results, we are going to come up with the following:

7, 0 ≥ 𝑥 ≥ 3.5 7𝑥, 0 ≥ 𝑥 ≥ 3.5

𝑉={ 𝑀={
−7, 3.5 ≥ 𝑥 ≥ 7 −7𝑥 + 49, 3.5 ≥ 𝑥 ≥ 7

Then, the shear and moment diagram would look like this:

ft ft

With this, the questions will be answered. In getting the maximum shear, we have to take the highest
absolute value. Thus, the maximum shear is 7 kips. On the other hand, we have to get the maximum
positive moment (which is 24.5 k-ft) and the maximum negative moment (which is 0, since there is no
negative moment in the beam).

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams
PROBLEM #2: Draw the shear and moment diagram of the cantilever beam. Also, determine the
maximum shear and the maximum moment acting on the beam. The beam has a weight of 2 kN/m.

SOLUTION: First, we draw the distributed load

6m
corresponding to the weight of the beam, then we
proceed as in problem #1.

∑FX = 0 +
Ax = 0 k
a
∑Fy = 0 + 2 kN/m
Ay – (2 kN/m)(6 m) = 0 6m
Ax
Ay = 12 kN

∑MA = 0 (cw+) MA
a'
-MA + (2 kN/m)(6 m)(3 m) = 0 Ay
MA = 36 kN-m

We only need one section for this one because there is no discontinuity in the loadings. This time, it will
be point C which will be our point of origin, since our section is facing right.

x
Ma-a’ 2 kN/m

Na-a’ = 0

Va-a’

SECTION a-a’ (0 ≥ x ≥ 6)

∑Fy @ a-a’ = 0 +
-2x + Va-a’ = 0
Va-a’ = 2x

∑Ma-a’ = 0 (cw+)
Ma-a’ + (2)(x)(x/2) = 0
Ma-a’ = -x2

The maximum shear is 12 kN, and the maximum negative moment is -36 kN-m.

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams
The table below can be used to explain the curvature of the moment diagram in Problem #2. In
problem #2, the shear is all positive, but its value is decreasing over the length of the beam, thus the
term “positive decreasing”. Using the table, it can be seen that the curvature of the moment diagram
should be concave upward.

Shear and Moment of Beams by Area Method

The following procedure provides a method for constructing the shear and moment diagrams for a
beam based on the relations among distributed load, shear, and moment.
Support Reactions.
• Determine the support reactions and resolve the forces acting on the beam into components that are
perpendicular and parallel to the beam’s axis.
Shear Diagram.
• Establish the V and x axes and plot the known values of the shear at the two ends of the beam.
• Notice how the values of the distributed load vary along the beam, and realize that each of these
values indicates the way the shear diagram will slope (dV/dx = w). Here w is positive when it acts
downward.
• If a numerical value of the shear is to be determined at a point, one can find this value either by using
the method of sections and the equation of force equilibrium, or by using which states that the change
in the shear between any two points is equal to the area under the load diagram between the two
points.
Moment Diagram.
• Establish the M and x axes and plot the known values of the moment at the ends of the beam.
• Notice how the values of the shear diagram vary along the beam, and realize that each of these
values indicates the way the moment diagram will slope (dM/dx = V).
• At the point where the shear is zero, and therefore this would be a point of maximum or minimum
moment.
• If a numerical value of the moment is to be determined at the point, one can find this value either by
using the method of sections and the equation of moment equilibrium, or by using ΔM = ʃ V(x) dx

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams
which states that the change in moment between any two points is equal to the area under the shear
diagram between the two points.
• Since w(x) must be integrated to obtain ΔV and V(x) is integrated to obtain M(x), then if w(x) is a curve
of degree n, V(x) will be a curve of degree n+1 and M(x) will be a curve of degree n+2. For example, if
w(x) is uniform, V(x) will be linear and M(x) will be parabolic.

PROBLEM #3: Draw the shear and moment diagram of the simply supported beam. Also, determine
the maximum shear and the maximum moment acting on the beam. Neglect the weight of the beam.

SOLUTION:

FOR THE SHEAR DIAGRAM:

Shear @ A = 18
Shear @ span AB = 18 (draw horizontal line)
Shear @ B = 18 – 14 = 4
Shear @ BC = 4 (draw horizontal line)
Shear @ C = 4 – 28 = -24
Shear @ CD = -24 (draw horizontal line)
Shear @ D = -24 + 24 = 0

FOR THE MOMENT DIAGRAM:

Moment @ A = 0
Moment @ B = 0 + (2)(18) = 36 (draw 1° line)
Moment @ C = 36 + (3)(4) = 48 (draw 1° line)
Moment @ D = 48 – (24)(2) = 0 (draw 1° line)

The maximum shear is 24 kN. The maximum positive moment is 48 kN-m and the maximum negative
moment is 0.

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams
PROBLEM #4: Draw the shear and moment diagram of the simply supported beam. Also, determine
the maximum shear and the maximum moment acting on the beam. Neglect the weight of the beam.

SOLUTION:

FOR THE SHEAR DIAGRAM:

Shear @ A = 14
Shear @ span AB = 14 (draw horizontal line)
Shear @ B = 14 – 30 = -16
Shear @ BD = -16 (draw horizontal line)
Shear @ DE = -16 (draw horizontal line; couple
has no effect on shear diagram)
Shear @ D = -16 + 16 = 0

FOR THE MOMENT DIAGRAM:

Moment @ A = 0
Moment @ B = 0 + (4)(14) = 56
Moment @ D = 56 – (48)(4) = 48
Moment @ D = 8 + 40 = 48
Moment @ D = 48 – (48)(1) = 0

The maximum shear is 56 kN. The maximum

positive moment is 56 kN-m and the
maximum negative moment is 0.

The principle behind the moment diagram in this problem is what we term as “just to the left” and “just
to the right”. The moment “just to the left” of the couple is 8 kN-m because the computation does not
yet include the couple. The moment “just to the right” of the couple is 48 kN-m because the
computation now includes the couple.

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 Lecture 5 – Shear and Moment in Beams
References: This part includes online references. This is to avoid plagiarism in the content of the
modules.
Chapter 1:
 The Efficient Engineer. (2019, November 20). Understanding Shear Force and Bending Moment
Diagrams. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-FEVzI8oe8
 Chakraborti, M. (2018). Strength of materials (SI Units). New Delhi: S.K. Kataria & Sons
 R.C. Hibbeler, 2011. Mechanics of materials (8th Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA:
Pearson Prentice Hall
 Pytel, A., & Kiusalaas, J. (2012). Mechanics of materials (2nd ed.). Cengage Learning.
 Beer, F. P., Johnston Jr., E. R., DeWolf, J. T., & Mazurek, D. F. (2015). Mechanics of Materials (7th ed.).
McGraw-Hill Education.

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