7.

1 Introduction
Welcome to the seventh lesson on shear force and bending moments. In this lesson, the
following sub-topics will be covered; simply supported beams, cantilever beams, types of beam
supports, types of loads on beams, determination of support reactions, definition and calculation
of shear force and bending moments on a beam. Towards the end, relationships between load,
shear force and bending moment will be derived.

7.2 Lesson learning outcomes

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
7.1.1 Define simply supported beams and cantilever beams and types of beam supports.
7.1.2 Categorize types of loads that beams can carry such as concentrated loads, uniformly
distributed loads, linearly varying loads and moment/couple.
7.1.3 Calculate beam support reactions.
7.1.4 Derive relationships between the load, shear force and bending moment for
distributed loads, concentrated loads and couples.
BENDING OF BEAMS: LOADS, SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENTS
Beam: A structural member that resists lateral loads. It must be supported at the end/ends.
(i) Simply supported beam:

 Simply supported beam shown has two supports, a pinned/hinged support and a roller
support. Supports do not have to be at the ends.

Pinned support
(a) Prevents both horizontal and vertical translation.
(b) Allows rotation in the plane of the figure.
(c) For an inclined load ‘P’, we have both a horizontal reaction (RHA) and a vertical
reaction (RVA).
(d) There is no moment reaction.
Roller support:

1
 (a) There is no translation in the vertical direction but translation is allowed in the
horizontal direction.
(b) Beam axis can rotate in the plane of the figure.
(c) For inclined load ‘P’, we have a vertical reaction (RVB) but no horizontal reaction.
(d) There is no moment reaction.

(ii) Cantilever beam:

One end is fixed, other end is free. For a fixed support:

 No translation or rotation at the support

 For an inclined load ‘P’, we have a horizontal reaction (RHA), a vertical reaction (RVA)
and a couple/moment reaction (MA).

 For both simply supported beams and cantilever beams, all the reactions can be
determined by equations of static equilibrium i.e. statically determinate.
Reactions in (iii), (iv) and (v) cannot be determined by equations of statics alone i.e. statically
indeterminate.

Types of loads

2
Determination of reactions at beam supports
Example 1
The figure shows a statically determinate beam supporting a point load P 1 and a uniformly
distributed load (udl) q. To determine reactions:

↔ 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑅 =0

𝑏
⇛⇛ 𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐵; 𝑅 × 𝐿 = 𝑃 (𝐿 − 𝑎) + 𝑞𝑏 ×
2
𝑃 (𝐿 − 𝑎) 𝑞𝑏
𝑅 = +
𝐿 2𝐿
3
 𝑏
⇛⇛ 𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐴; 𝑅 × 𝐿 = (𝑃 × 𝑎) + 𝑞𝑏 𝐿 − 𝑜𝑟
2
𝑃 𝑎 𝑞𝑏 𝑏
𝑅 = + 𝐿−
𝐿 𝐿 2
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑅 + 𝑅 = 𝑃 + 𝑞𝑏
Example 2

4
 ↔ 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑅 =0

𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐁: (−𝑅 𝐿) + 𝑃 (𝐿 − 𝑎) + 𝑀 = 0
𝑃 (𝐿 − 𝑎) 𝑀
𝑅 = +
𝐿 𝐿
𝑃𝑎 𝑀
𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐀: − 𝑃 𝑎 + 𝑅 𝐿 + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 = −
𝐿 𝐿

Example 3:

For the cantilever beam shown:

𝑆𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑃 − 𝑅 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 = 𝑃
𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔\𝑩: 𝑃𝐿 − 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = 𝑃𝐿

Assumptions for simple bending

 All loads act in the x-y plane.

 Beams must be symmetric about the plane of bending i.e cross-section must have a vertical
axis of symmetry.
If these conditions are not met, the beam will bend out of its plane requiring a more rigorous
analysis (4th year).

5
SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT

 Consider a cantilever beam acted on by a load ‘P’ at the free end. Imagine we cut the
beam at section mn and isolate the left hand end as a free body.
 For static equilibrium:
(i) 𝑃=𝑉
(ii) −𝑃𝑥 + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = 𝑃𝑥
V  Shear force

M  Bending moment
Deformation sign convention

 The sign convention for shear force and bending moment is as summarized below.
 This convention is referred to as the deformation sign convention to distinguish it from
static sign convention where forces are taken as positive when they act in the positive
direction of the coordinate axis.

6
Example 1: Determine the shear force V and the bending moment M in the beam at sections
located: (i) At very small distance to the left of the middle of the beam.
(ii) At a very small distance to the right of the middle of the beam.

7
Solution:

 Referring to (a):
𝑃 𝑀
𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐀: 𝑅 . 𝐿 = 𝑃. 𝐿 4 + 𝑀 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 = +
4 𝐿
3𝐿 3𝑃 𝑀
𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐁: 𝑅 . 𝐿 + 𝑀 = 𝑃 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 = −
4 4 𝐿
(i) Cross-section just to the left of the middle (MO excluded)
 Referring to (b), shear force V and bending moment M are as shown (+ve according to
the sign convention above).
 Couple MO is absent since we imagine the beam to be cut to the left of the center.
Vertical force equilibrium:
𝑅 − 𝑃 − 𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟
3𝑃 𝑀 𝑷 𝑴𝑶
𝑉 =𝑅 −𝑃 = − −𝑃 =− −
4 𝐿 𝟒 𝑳
Shear force is negative and therefore acts opposite to the direction shown.
Moment equilibrium:
Moments about an axis through the cut end (to eliminate V):
𝐿 𝐿
−𝑅 + 𝑃 + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟
2 4
𝑃𝐿 𝐿 𝑃𝐿 3𝑃 𝐿 𝑀 𝐿 𝑷𝑳 𝑴𝑶
𝑀=− +𝑅 =− + − = −
4 2 4 4 2 𝐿 2 𝟖 𝟐
X-section just to the right of the middle (i.e. MO included)

 Referring to (c):
Vertical force equilibrium:

𝑅 − 𝑃 − 𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟
𝑷 𝑴𝑶
𝑉 =𝑅 −𝑃 =− −
𝟒 𝑳
Moment equilibrium:
Moments about an axis through the cut end (to eliminate V):
𝐿 𝐿 𝑃𝐿 𝑀
−𝑅 + 𝑃 − 𝑀 + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = +
2 4 8 2

8
Example 2:
A beam ABC with an overhang supports a uniform load of intensity q=6 kN/m and a
concentrated load P = 28 kN. Calculate the shear force (V) and the bending moment (M) at a
section D located 5 m from the left hand support.
Solution:
Determine reactions: Moments\B:

(−𝑅 (𝑘𝑁) × 8𝑚) + (28𝑘𝑁 × 5𝑚) + 6 𝑘𝑁 𝑚 × 8𝑚 × 4𝑚 − 6 𝑘𝑁 𝑚 × 2𝑚 × 1𝑚 = 0

𝑅 = 40𝑘𝑁

𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐀: (𝑅 (𝑘𝑁) × 8𝑚) − (28𝑘𝑁 × 3𝑚) − 6 𝑘𝑁 𝑚 × 10𝑚 × 5𝑚 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 = 48𝑘𝑁

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 (𝐛); 𝐹 =0 𝑖. 𝑒. − 40 + 28 + (6 × 5) + 𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −18 𝑘𝑁

𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠\𝑐𝑢𝑡 𝑒𝑑𝑔𝑒 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒.

9
(−40 × 5) + (28 × 2) + (6 × 5 × 2.5) + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = 69 𝑘𝑁𝑚

 The same results for V and M will be obtained if we use the right hand side of the beam
i.e. (c).
 We always assume that the unknown shear force (V) and unknown bending moment (M)
are positive. A negative answer implies the correct direction is the opposite.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LOAD, SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT

Distributed Load

 Let the shear force and bending moment on the left be V and M, respectively.
 Increments over distance dx are dV and dM.
Load equilibrium
𝑑𝑉
𝐹 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. − 𝑉 + (𝑉 + 𝑑𝑉) + 𝑞. 𝑑𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 = −𝑞 𝑖. 𝑒.
𝑑𝑥
 The rate of change of shear force wrt x is equal to the negative of the applied load (-q).
(i) For no load on part of the beam (q=0), dV/dx = 0 or V = constant on that part of the
beam.
(ii) If q is a constant over part of a beam (uniform load), then dV/dx = constant (k) i.e. V
= kx. Shear force changes linearly over that part of the beam.
Shear force at two different cross-sections along a beam:
𝑑𝑉
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 = −𝑞; 𝑑𝑉 = −𝑞. 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥

10
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒; 𝑑𝑉 = −𝑞. 𝑑𝑥 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑉 − 𝑉 = − 𝑞. 𝑑𝑥

= −(𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵)

 The change in shear force between any two sections of a beam can be obtained from the
area under the load distribution curve between those sections.
Note that the equation cannot be used when we have concentrated loads.
Moment equilibrium:

 Take moments about the left hand face and assume counterclockwise as +ve.
𝑑𝑥
−𝑀 − 𝑞. 𝑑𝑥 − (𝑉 + 𝑑𝑉)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑀 + 𝑑𝑀) = 0
2
𝑑𝑀
𝑁𝑒𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠; = 𝑉 𝑖. 𝑒.
𝑑𝑥
 The rate of change of bending moment wrt x is equal to the shear force e.g.
If V = 0 in a region of a beam, dM/dx = 0 i.e. M = constant in that region.
(This applies only for distributed loads, not concentrated loads)
Integrating between two points along the beam:

𝑑𝑀 = 𝑉. 𝑑𝑥 𝑜𝑟

𝑀 −𝑀 = 𝑉. 𝑑𝑥 (= 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵)

The change in bending moment between any two sections along a beam can be found from the
area under the shear force diagram between those sections.
Note:

 Equation can be used even when concentrated loads act between A and B.
 Equation cannot be used when a couple acts between A and B because a couple causes
a sudden change in BM.
Example:
The cantilever beam shown is free at end A and fixed at end B. It is subjected to a distributed
load varying linearly in intensity from ‘0’ at end ‘A’ to ‘q 0’ at end B’. Using equilibrium methods,
determine the shear force ‘V’ and bending moment ‘M’ at a distance x from the free end.
Compare the values with those obtained using the equations derived above.

11
Solution:

𝑞 𝑞 𝑞 𝑥
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠: = 𝑜𝑟 𝑞 =
𝑥 𝐿 𝐿
Shear force using equilibrium:
𝑞 𝑥 1 1 𝑞 𝑥 𝑞 𝑥
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑞 = ; 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = × 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = (𝑥) =
𝐿 2 2 𝐿 2𝐿
𝑞 𝑥 𝑞 𝑥
𝐹 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑉+ = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −
2𝐿 2𝐿
𝑞 𝐿
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑉 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑉 = −
2
Shear force using derived equations:
𝑑𝑉 𝑞 𝑥 𝑞 𝑥
= −𝑞 = − 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −
𝑑𝑥 𝐿 2𝐿
Bending moment using equilibrium:

𝑞 𝑥 𝑥 𝑞 𝑥
𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠\𝑐𝑢𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑑; 𝑀 + = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = −
2𝐿 3 6𝐿
𝑞 𝐿
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑀 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑀 = −
6
12
Bending moment using derived equations:
𝑑𝑀 𝑞 𝑥 𝑞 𝑥 𝑞 𝑥
=𝑉=− 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = − =−
𝑑𝑥 2𝐿 3(2𝐿) 6𝐿
Concentrated Load (In Figure (b) below, assume V1 = dV and M1 = dM)

𝐹 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. − 𝑉 + (𝑉 + 𝑑𝑉) + 𝑃 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑉 = −𝑃 𝑖. 𝑒. … … … … … … … … … … . . (𝑖)

 As we pass from left to right through a point of load application, the shear force decreases
by an amount equal to the magnitude of the downward load.
Moment equilibrium:
𝑑𝑥
𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞: − 𝑀 − 𝑃 − (𝑉 + 𝑑𝑉)𝑑𝑥 + (𝑀 + 𝑑𝑀) = 0
2
𝑑𝑥 𝑃 𝑃
𝑑𝑀 = 𝑃 + 𝑉. 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑑𝑉. 𝑑𝑥 = + 𝑣 + 𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑥 ≅ + 𝑣 𝑑𝑥
2 2 2
Since dx is infinitely small, then dM is also infinitely small i.e.

 Bending moment does not change as we pass through a point of application of a

concentrated load.

We note as follows: 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 =𝑉

𝑑𝑀
𝐿𝑒𝑓𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡: =𝑉
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑀
𝑅𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡: = 𝑉 + 𝑑𝑉 = 𝑉 − 𝑃 (𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝑖) 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒) 𝑖. 𝑒.
𝑑𝑥
 At a point of application of a concentrated load ‘P’, the shear force decreases abruptly by
amount ‘P’.
13
Couple (assumed +ve counterclockwise) (In Figure (c) below, assume V1 = dV and M1 = dM)

𝐹 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. − 𝑉 + 𝑉 + 𝑑𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑉 = 0

 Therefore, shear force does not change at a point of application of a couple.

𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐋𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞: − 𝑀 + 𝑀 − (𝑉 + 𝑑𝑉)𝑑𝑥 + 𝑀 + 𝑑𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟

𝑑𝑀 ≅ −𝑀 + 𝑉. 𝑑𝑥 (𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑠)
 Since dx is very small, V.dx is very small compared to M0 i.e.
𝑑𝑀 ≅ −𝑀
 Therefore, as we pass from left to right through a point of application of a couple
(MO), the bending moment decreases abruptly by the value M O.

14
8.1 Introduction
Welcome to the eighth lesson on shear force and bending moment diagrams. In this lesson, the
following topics will be covered; analysis and drawing of shear force and bending moment
diagrams for loaded beams. Focus will be on cantilever beams and simply supported beams.
Types of load on the beams include concentrated loads, uniformly distributed loads, linearly
varying loads, moments/couples.
8.2 Lesson learning outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
8.2.1 Calculate the values of shear force and bending moment along a beam carrying various
types of loads.
8.2.2 Draw, to a reasonable scale, the shear force and bending moment diagrams for the loaded
beam.
8.2.3 Determine from the diagrams the maximum shear force and the maximum bending
moment.

SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT DIAGRAMS

Cantilever with end load

Assume the beam is cut at distance x from the left hand end (see (b)).
Assume further that the shear force at the cut end is V and the bending moment is M (both +ve
in accordance with the sign convention).
Shear force

𝐹 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑃 + 𝑉 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑉 = −𝑃 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡)

Shear force V is constant from x = 0 to x = L as shown in (c).

Bending moment (Moments\cut edge):
𝑃𝑥 + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = −𝑃𝑥 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)

15
At x = 0, M = 0 and at x = L, M=-PL.
i.e. bending moment increases in a linear manner from x = 0 to x = L as shown in (d).

Cantilever with a udl

𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 (𝑏); 𝐹 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑞𝑥 + 𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −𝑞𝑥 (𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)

At x = 0, V = 0 and at x=L, V = -qL.

SF increases linearly from zero to –qL as shown in (c).

16
Moments\cut edge:
𝑥 𝑞𝑥
𝑞𝑥 + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = − (𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐)
2 2
𝑞𝐿
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑀 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑀 = −
2
𝑑𝑀
To determine the shape of the parabolic curve: 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙 = −𝑞𝑥
𝑑𝑥
 At x = 0, slope = 0 and at x = L, slope = -qL.

 The bending moment diagram is shown in (d).

Uniformly distributed load on a SSB

Force equilibrium:

17
Referring to (a): 𝑅 =0
𝑅 + 𝑅 = 𝑞𝐿
𝑞𝐿
𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑅 = 𝑅 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑅 = =𝑅
2

Referring to (b):
𝑞𝐿 𝑞𝐿
𝐹 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. − + 𝑞𝑥 + 𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = − 𝑞𝑥 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)
2 2
𝑞𝐿 𝑞𝐿
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑉 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑉 = −
2 2
 SF diagram is shown in (c). Note dV/dx = -q as derived earlier.
Moment equilibrium: Moments\cut edge:
𝑞𝐿 𝑥 𝑞𝐿𝑥 𝑞𝑥
− 𝑥 + 𝑞𝑥 + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = − (𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒)
2 2 2 2
 When x = 0, M = 0 and when x = L, M = 0. We need to get a third point, say M max.
𝑑𝑀 𝑞𝐿 𝐿
= − 𝑞𝑥 = 0; 𝑥 =
𝑑𝑥 2 2
𝑞𝐿 𝐿 𝑞 𝐿 𝑞𝐿
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒, 𝑀 = − =
2 2 2 4 8

Bending moment diagram is shown in (d).

18
Concentrated load on a simply supported beam

Have a loading discontinuity at C. Need to consider SF and BM first for part AC, then part CB.
To determine support reactions (see (a)):

↔ 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑅 =0

𝑃𝑏
𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠(𝐵); −𝑅 𝐿 + 𝑃𝑏 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑅 =
𝐿
𝑃𝑎
𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦, 𝑅 =
𝐿

19
 (i) 0<x<a

 Force equilibrium (refer to (b))

𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑏
− + 𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 𝑎)
𝐿 𝐿
 Moment equilibrium (moments\cut edge):
𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑏𝑥
− 𝑥 + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)
𝐿 𝐿
𝑃𝑎𝑏
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑀 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑎, 𝑀 =
𝐿
(ii) a<x<L

 Force equilibrium (refer to (c))

𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑎
− + 𝑃 + 𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −𝑃 =− (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 𝐿)
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿
(iii) Moment equilibrium (moments\cut edge):
𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑏𝑥 𝑥
− 𝑥 + 𝑃(𝑥 − 𝑎) + 𝑀 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = − 𝑃(𝑥 − 𝑎) = 𝑃𝑎 1 − (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿
𝑃𝑎𝑏
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑎, 𝑀 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑀 = 0
𝐿
The shear force diagram is shown in (d) while the bending moment diagram is shown in (e).
Notes:
𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑎
(𝑎) 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑎:  𝑉 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝐿:  𝑉 = −
𝐿 𝐿
𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉
𝐼𝑛 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑠, = 0: 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙 = −𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑞 𝑖𝑠 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 =0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑃𝑏𝑥 𝑑𝑀 𝑃𝑏
0 < 𝑥 < 𝑎:  𝑀 = 𝑖. 𝑒. = (= 𝑉)
𝐿 𝑑𝑥 𝐿
𝑥 𝑑𝑀 𝑃𝑎
𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝐿:  𝑀 = 𝑃𝑎 1 − 𝑖. 𝑒. =− (= 𝑉)
𝐿 𝑑𝑥 𝐿
(b) At point of application of the load P, we have an abrupt change in the shear force diagram,
𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝐿 𝑃(𝑏 − 𝐿) 𝑃𝑎
𝑖. 𝑒. −𝑃 = − = =−
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿
𝑑𝑀 𝑃𝑏
𝑊𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑃, = (= 𝑉)
𝑑𝑥 𝐿
20
 𝑑𝑀 𝑃𝑎
𝑇𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑃, =− (= 𝑉)
𝑑𝑥 𝐿
 Therefore, when SF changes from +ve to –ve, slope of the BM also changes from +ve to
–ve.

(c) 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝐹 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 [𝑀 − 𝑀 = ∫ 𝑉. 𝑑𝑥]

𝑃𝑏 𝑃𝑎𝑏
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑥 = 0 𝑡𝑜 𝑥 = 𝑎, 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝐹 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 = ×𝑎 =
𝐿 𝐿
𝑃𝑎𝑏
𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝐵𝑀 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0 𝑖𝑠 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵𝑀 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑖𝑠
𝐿
 Therefore, the area represents the increase in BM between the two points.
We can use similar arguments on other part of the beam.
𝑃𝑎𝑏
(𝑑) 𝑀 = 𝐼𝑡 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑
𝐿
𝐼𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑃𝑎
𝑉 =− 𝐼𝑡 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 (𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 > 𝑏)
𝐿
𝑀 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛

Example: A beam ABCDE with an overhang is loaded as shown in Figure 6.37.

(a) Construct, to a suitable scale, the shear force and bending moment diagrams indicating all
principle values.
(b) Determine the location of the point where the bending moment is zero.

Solution:

 To determine the reactions:

𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐄: 𝑅 (8) − 8(3) − (3 × 6 × 9) = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 = 23.25 𝑘𝑁

21
𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐁: 𝑅 (8) + (3 × 4 × 2) = (8 × 5) + (3 × 2 × 1) 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 = 2.75 𝑘𝑁

 Vertical force equilibrium:

𝑉 + 3𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −3𝑥 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)
When x = 0, V = 0 and when x = 4, V = -12

 Moment equilibrium:

3𝑥 3𝑥
𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞: 𝑀 + = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = − (𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐)
2 2
When x = 0, M = 0 and when x = 4, M = -24

 Vertical forces equilibrium:

𝑉 + 3𝑥 − 23.25 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −3𝑥 + 23.25 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)
When x = 4, V = 11.25 and when x = 6, V = 5.25

 Moment equilibrium: Moments\cut edge

3𝑥
𝑀+ − 23.25(𝑥 − 4) = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = −1.5𝑥 + 23.25𝑥 − 93 (𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐)
2
When x = 4, M = -24 and when x = 6, M = -7.5

 Vertical forces equilibrium:

𝑉 + 3(6) − 23.25 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = 5.25 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡)
 Moment equilibrium: Moments\cut edge
𝑀 + 18(𝑥 − 3) − 23.25(𝑥 − 4) = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = 5.25𝑥 − 39 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)

22
When x = 6, M = -7.5 and when x = 9, M = 8.25

 Vertical force equilibrium:

−𝑉 − 2.75 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −2.75 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡)
 Moment equilibrium: Moments\cut edge
𝑀 − 2.75(12 − 𝑥) = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = 33 − 2.75𝑥 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)
When x = 9, M = 8.25 and when x = 12, M = 0
We now sketch the shear force and bending moment diagrams as shown below.

 Location where bending moment = 0

𝑀 = 5.25𝑥 − 39 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 7.429 𝑚

23
Example:
A simply supported beam is loaded as shown. On a suitable scale, draw the shear force and
bending moment diagrams indicating the numerical values at critical points.

Solution:
To determine the reactions (Figure 6.27(a)):

 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 = 𝑅 =0

𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔\𝑨; (𝑅 × 8) − (5 × 2 × 7) − 20 − (5 × 2 × 1) = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 = 12.5 𝑘𝑁
𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔\𝑩; (𝑅 × 8) − (5 × 2 × 7) + 20 − (5 × 2 × 1) = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 = 7.5 𝑘𝑁

𝟎 < 𝒙 < 𝟐 (𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟔. 𝟐𝟔(𝒂))

↕ 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑉 + 5𝑥 − 7.5 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = 7.5 − 5𝑥 𝑘𝑁 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)

24
When x = 0, V = 7.5 kN and when x = 2, V = -2.5 kN
To obtain the point where the shear force line crosses the x-axis:

7.5 − 5𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 1.5 𝑚
𝑥
𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞: 𝑀 + 5𝑥 − 7.5𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = 7.5𝑥 − 2.5𝑥 (𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐)
2
When x = 0, M = 0 and when x = 2, M = 5 kNm
To obtain the bending moment when the shear force is zero:
When x = 1.5, M = 5.625 kNm

𝟐 < 𝒙 < 𝟒 (𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟔. 𝟐𝟔(𝒃))

𝑉 + (5 × 2) − 7.5 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −2.5 𝑘𝑁 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡)

𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬\𝐜𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞: 𝑀 + 5 × 2 × (𝑥 − 1) − 7.5𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = −2.5𝑥 + 10 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)

When x = 2, M = 5 kNm and when x = 4, M = 0

𝟒 < 𝒙 < 𝟔 (𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟔. 𝟐𝟔(𝒄))

−𝑉 + (5 × 2) − 12.5 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −2.5 𝑘𝑁 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡)
Moments\cut edge:

−𝑀 − 5 × 2 × (8 − 𝑥 − 1) + 12.5 × (8 − 𝑥) = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = 30 − 2.5𝑥 (linear)

When x = 4, M = 20 kNm and when x = 6, M = 15 kNm

𝟔 < 𝒙 < 𝟖 (𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝟔. 𝟐𝟔(𝒅))

−𝑉 + (5 × (8 − 𝑥)) − 12.5 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = −5𝑥 + 27.5 𝑘𝑁 (𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟)
When x = 6, V = -2.5 kN and when x = 8, V = -12.5 kN
Moments\cut edge:
( )
−𝑀 − 5 × + 12.5 × (8 − 𝑥) = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = −2.5𝑥 + 27.5𝑥 − 60 (parabolic)

When x = 6, M = 15 kNm and when x = 8, M = 0.

The SF and BM diagrams are as shown in Figures 6.27(b) and 6.27(c), respectively.

25
Example:
A horizontal beam of negligible weight is loaded as shown in figure 6.33. The distributed load
varies linearly from zero at the left hand end to q 0 kN at a distance ‘L’ m from the left hand end.
Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams indicating all principle values.

26
Solution:

𝑞 𝑞 𝑞 𝑥
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠; = 𝑜𝑟 𝑞 =
𝐿 𝑥 𝐿
1 1 𝑞 𝑥 𝑞 𝑥
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑥: = × 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 × ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = . 𝑥. =
2 2 𝐿 2𝐿
1 𝑞 𝐿
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = . 𝐿. 𝑞 =
2 2
 To calculate reactions:
𝑞 𝐿 2 𝑞 𝐿
𝑀\𝐴: 𝑅 𝐿 − 𝐿 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 =
2 3 3
𝑞 𝐿 1 𝑞 𝐿
𝑀\𝐵: −𝑅 𝐿 + 𝐿 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 =
2 3 6
Force equilibrium (at x):

𝑞 𝑥 𝑞 𝐿 𝑞 𝐿 3𝑥
𝑉+ − = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑉 = 1− (𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐)
2𝐿 6 6 𝐿
𝑞 𝐿 𝑞 𝐿
𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 0, 𝑉 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑉 = −
6 3

27
To get the point where the shear force is zero:
𝑞 𝐿 3𝑥 𝐿
1− = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = = 0.577𝐿
6 𝐿 √3
 Moment equilibrium:

𝑞 𝐿𝑥 𝑞 𝑥 𝑥 𝑞 𝐿𝑥 𝑥
− +𝑀+ = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = 1− (𝑐𝑢𝑏𝑖𝑐)
6 2𝐿 3 6 𝐿

When x = 0, M = 0 and when x = L, M = 0.

𝑑𝑀 𝑞 𝐿
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐵𝑀 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 (= 𝑉) = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0.577𝐿 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑀 =
𝑑𝑥 9√3
The shear force and bending moment diagram are as shown below.

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