Lecture 6.

1
Reaction Influence Lines

This lecture explores the use of a qualitative approach to constructing reaction influence lines
for statically determinate beams.

Suppose we are asked to design Column BG in the bridge shown in Figure 6.1.

Figure 6.1: A bridge structure

To correctly design the column, we need to determine the maximum axial force that it must be
able to carry. This means we need to calculate the maximum reaction force at the support at
Point B.

It is important to note that the beam’s support reactions are not constant; they change as a
vehicular load moves across the bridge. We can determine the maximum reaction force at Point
B due to a moving load by drawing a diagram called an influence line. An influence line will
show how the reaction force changes as a unit load moves from Point A to Point F. The influence
line for the reaction force at Point B is shown in Figure 6.2.

Figure 6.2: The influence line for the reaction force at Point B

Chapter 6: Influence Lines Page 6.2

Before we discuss how to construct an influence line, let’s see how they are meant to be
interpreted.

The influence line in Figure 6.2 shows the values for the reaction force at Point B as a unit load
moves across the bridge. To continue our earlier example, see Figure 6.3. When a unit load is at
Point A in the bridge structure, the diagram in the figure indicates that the reaction force at
Point B is zero.

Figure 6.3: The influence line value for the reaction force at Point B when the unit load is at Point A

Following along the influence line, we can see that when the unit load reaches Point B, the
reaction force at Point B becomes 1. And when the unit load is located at Point C, the influence
line indicates that the reaction force at Point B is 2 (see Figure 6.4).

Figure 6.4: The influence line value for the reaction force at Point B when the unit load is at Point C

Furthermore, the influence line indicates that the reaction force at Point B becomes negative 4
when the unit load reaches Point E (see Figure 6.5).

Figure 6.5: The influence line value for the reaction force at Point B when the unit load is at Point E

Chapter 6: Influence Lines Page 6.3

Finally, when the unit load reaches Point F, the influence line indicates that the reaction force at
Point B is zero (see Figure 6.6).

Figure 6.6: The influence line value for the reaction force at Point B when the unit load is at Point F

A visual inspection of the influence line reveals that the absolute maximum reaction force at
Point B occurs when the load is at Point E. That is, when the load reaches Point E, the reaction
force at Point B reaches its maximum negative value of 4.

Since the influence line is drawn for a moving unit load, we must multiply the values given by
the diagram by the actual load magnitude in order to obtain the correct reaction values. For
example, if a moving vehicle exerts a force of 5 kN on the bridge, then the maximum negative
reaction force at Point B can be written as (−4)(5 𝑘𝑁) = −20 𝑘𝑁.

The maximum positive reaction force can be calculated in a similar manner. The influence line
shows a maximum positive height of 2 (at Point C). Therefore, the maximum positive reaction
force at Point B can be written as (2)(5 𝑘𝑁) = 10 𝑘𝑁.

To summarize, the maximum negative support reaction at Point B develops when a vehicle is
located at the hinge at Point E. The maximum positive support reaction develops when the
vehicle is at the hinge at Point C. Therefore, Column BG must be designed for a maximum
compressive force of 10 kN and a maximum tensile force of 20 kN, as shown in Figure 6.7.

Figure 6.7: The maximum tensile and compressive forces in Column BG

Chapter 6: Influence Lines Page 6.4

We are now ready to discuss the construction of reaction influence lines for statically
determinate beams.

If a beam has no internal hinges and is a cantilever or simply supported beam, the construction
of a reaction influence line is rather straightforward. Consider the cantilever beam shown below
in Figure 6.8.

Figure 6.8: A cantilever beam subjected to a moving load

If we replace the vehicle with a unit load, we can easily see that regardless of the location of the
load, the reaction force at Point A equals 1 (see Figure 6.9).

Figure 6.9: The reaction force at the fixed support of a cantilever beam due to a moving unit load

Since the reaction force at Point A remains constant while the load travels across the beam, we
can draw the rectangular area shown in Figure 6.10. This diagram is called the reaction
influence line for the support at Point A. The rectangular area is a representation of the reaction
force magnitude as a function of the load position.

Figure 6.10: The reaction influence line for a cantilever beam

The diagram in Figure 6.10 can be viewed as a straight horizontal line. Conceptually, we can
visualize this horizontal line as Segment AB being pushed up by one unit, as depicted in Figure
6.11.

Figure 6.11: The qualitative construction of the reaction influence line for a cantilever beam

Chapter 6: Influence Lines Page 6.5

This idea of drawing the displaced shape of the beam after it is pushed up by one unit at the
support is a convenient qualitative approach for drawing reaction influence lines.

Let’s see how this idea works for a simply supported beam. Suppose we wish to construct the
influence line for the reaction force at Point B for the beam shown in Figure 6.12.

Figure 6.12: A simply supported beam

To draw the influence line, we are going to push the beam up by one unit at Point B and draw its
displaced shape, as shown in Figure 6.13.

Figure 6.13: The reaction influence line for the right support in a simply supported beam

The influence line shown in Figure 6.13 indicates that the reaction force at Point B reaches its
maximum value when the unit load is at Point B.

Let’s compare the two influence lines that we have constructed so far. The reaction influence line
for a cantilever beam and the reaction influence line for the right reaction force of a simply
supported beam are shown in Figure 6.14.

Figure 6.14: Reaction influence lines for cantilever and simply supported beams

If both diagrams were drawn by pushing the support point upward, why does one diagram form
a horizontal line while the other forms an inclined line?

Note that the right end of the cantilever beam is free. Therefore, when we push the beam’s left
end up, its (free) right end moves up as well. In the case of the simply supported beam, however,
the roller at Point A is not free to move up; it can only rotate. Therefore, when the end at Point B
is pushed up by one unit, the beam must rotate counterclockwise to accommodate the
movement, resulting in an inclined line.

Let’s consider another example. See the statically determinate beam shown in Figure 6.15.

Figure 6.15: A beam with an internal hinge

Chapter 6: Influence Lines Page 6.6

The influence line for the reaction force at Point A can be constructed by pushing the beam up
by one unit at the end at Point A. Note that Segment BD, since it rests on a roller (at Point C)
and a pin (at Point D), cannot move up or down or rotate. Therefore, when the end at Point A is
pushed up, Segment AB turns clockwise, given that the hinge at Point B allows a relative
rotation between Segment AB and Segment BD. This forms the displaced shape shown in Figure
6.16.

Figure 6.16: The displaced shape of a beam with an internal hinge, when it is pushed up at its left
support

Therefore, the influence line for the reaction force at Point A can be drawn in the manner shown
in Figure 6.17.

Figure 6.17: The influence line for the left reaction force for a beam with an internal hinge

Now, let’s draw the influence line for the reaction force at the support at Point C. To do so, we
need to draw the displaced shape of the beam when Point C is pushed up by one unit. Segment
BD is pin-connected at Point D and has a hinge at Point B. Therefore, if Point C is pushed up,
the beam is going to displace as shown in Figure 6.18.

Figure 6.18: The displaced shape of a beam with an internal hinge, when it is pushed up at an interior
support

So, the influence line for the reaction force at Point C can be drawn as shown in Figure 6.19.

Figure 6.19: The influence line for the reaction force at an interior support for a beam with an internal
hinge

What does the influence line for the reaction force at Point D look like? To answer this question,
we need to determine the displaced shape of the beam when Point D is pushed up by one unit.

Chapter 6: Influence Lines Page 6.7

Since Point C cannot move up or down and can only rotate, if we push up Point D, Point B must
move down. This causes Segment BD to rotate counterclockwise (see Figure 6.20). Note that
since the hinge at Point B has moved down, Segment AB has rotated clockwise to accommodate
the downward displacement of its right end.

Figure 6.20: The displaced shape of a beam with an internal hinge, when it is pushed up at its right
support

Consequently, the influence line for the reaction force at Point D can be drawn as shown in Figure
6.21.

Figure 6.21: The influence line for the reaction force at the right support for a beam with an internal
hinge

Let’s consider the statically determinate beam shown in Figure 6.22.

Figure 6.22: A statically determinate beam with an internal hinge and a fixed support

Suppose we wish to draw the influence line for the reaction force at the support at Point A. As
we’ve learned, this can be done by pushing the end at Point A up by one unit and drawing the
resulting displaced shape of the beam (see Figure 6.23).

Figure 6.23: The influence line for the reaction force at the left end of a beam with an internal hinge and
a fixed support

Here, Segment CB cannot move or rotate because of the fixed support at Point B.

It is important to note that when drawing influence lines for statically determinate beams, we
treat the beam segments as straight bars. These bars are unable to bend. You might be tempted
to draw the influence line for the reaction at Point A in the manner shown in Figure 6.24.

Figure 6.24: An incorrectly drawn influence line for a statically determinate beam

Chapter 6: Influence Lines Page 6.8

However, the diagram is not correct as it is drawn in Figure 6.24 since Segment CB is not drawn
using a straight line. Influence lines for statically determinate beams always consist of straight-
line segments.

Let’s draw the influence line for the reaction force at Point B.

To do so, we need to push up the end at Point B by one unit and draw the resulting displaced
shape of the beam. When Point B is pushed up, Point C is going to move up as well, unless
Segment AC restrains its movement. In this case, since Point A is free to rotate, Segment AC can
rotate counterclockwise to accommodate an upward movement of the hinge at Point C.
Therefore, the reaction influence line for Point B can be drawn as shown in Figure 6.25.

Figure 6.25: The influence line for the reaction force at the fixed end of a beam with an internal hinge
and a fixed support

We will discuss shear and moment influence lines in the next lectures.

Chapter 6: Influence Lines Page 6.9

Exercise Problems:

Draw the reaction influence lines for each beam.

1 a) Reaction at A
b) Reaction at B

2 a) Reaction at A
b) Reaction at B

a) Reaction at A
3 b) Reaction at B
c) Reaction at C

a) Reaction at A
4 b) Reaction at B
c) Reaction at C
d) Reaction at D

Chapter 6: Influence Lines Page 6.10