UNIT 2

BENDING MOMENT AND SHEAR FORCE OF A BEAM

INTRODUCTION

A structure is an assemblage of a number of components like slabs, beams, columns, walls,

foundations etc. It is designed for the stress resultants of bending moment, shear force,
deflection, torsional stresses and axial stresses.

The evaluation of these stresses (shear and normal), reaction forces, internal forces,
bending moments, deflection, angle of rotation etc. is known as STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS.
Structural Engineers make structural analysis in order to design structures to withstand the
effects of possible forces on structures.

Types of Structures
We have natural and man-made structures. Examples of natural structure include the
human skeleton, tortoise shell, egg shell and a tree etc. man-made structure can be
classified into:

i. Frame Structure: Mast, Oil Rigs, Buildings, Bridges, Roofs, Towers etc.
ii. Shell Structure: Dome, Shell Arches, Boats Halls, Aeroplane fuselages, curved
roofs.
iii. Mass Structure: Large Dams, Bricks, Unreinforced Bridge Piers.

Types of Structural Components of a Building:

i. Foundation
ii. Structural Walls/Shear Walls
iii. Beams/Lintels
iv. Slabs
v. Roof Trusses
vi. Columns
vii. Staircases
What is a Beam?
In structural engineering, a beam is a horizontal structural member that is designed to resist
loads applied in the vertical direction. Beams are essential components in buildings, bridges,
and various structures. They play a crucial role in supporting the weight of the structure,
including the floors, roofs, and other loads.

Key characteristics and classification of beams:

i. Shape and Cross-Section: Examples include rectangular beam, I-shaped beam, T-
shaped, L-shaped, C-shaped, and circular beams etc.

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 ii. Materials: Beams can be constructed from various materials, including steel,
concrete, wood, and composite materials.
iii. Types of Support Conditions: Examples include Pinned support, fixed support and
roller support beams.
iv. Span and Support Conditions: Examples include simply supported beam,
continuous beams, cantilever beams and overhang beams.

Generally, Beams are classified as:

1. Cantilever beam, 2. Simply supported beam, 3. Overhanging beam, 4. Rigidly fixed or
built-in-beam and 5. Continuous beam.

A beam may be subjected to either or in combination of the following types of loads:

1. Concentrated or point load,
2. Uniformly distributed load and
3. Uniformly varying load

SHEAR FORCE:
Shear force is a force that acts parallel to the cross-section of a material and tends to cause
deformation or failure by sliding one part of the material relative to another. In other words,
it is a force that causes the material to shear or break apart.

BENDING MOMENT:
In structural mechanics, a bending moment is a force that causes a structural element to
bend when an external force or moment is applied to the element. The bending moment is
the reaction induced in the structural element, causing it to bend. The most common
structural element subjected to bending moments is the beam. When a force is applied to a
beam, it induces internal forces that act within the material. When it is positive, it is called
sagging moment. When it is negative, it is called hogging moment.

Note: Shear forces act parallel to the cross-section of the material, bending moments act
perpendicular to the axial forces, causing the material to deform or fail in a bending manner.

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Steps to Drawing SF and BMD
1. Draw a horizontal line to represent the beam and divide the line by putting points at
the following locations:
 At the point loads locations
 At the beginning and at the end of UDL
 At the reaction locations.
2. Calculate the reaction forces by using the following basic equations:
 ΣFx = 0
 ΣFy = 0
 ΣM = 0
3. Start drawing shear force diagram from any of the extreme ends. Draw a vertical line
of same length as the value of applied force at the point. If force acting on the point
is downward then the vertical line should go downward or else upward.
4. Unless there is an UDL acting a horizontal line to be drawn till we reach the next
point on the beam.
5. See what kinds of load acting on the next point. If it is point load then vertical line
from the end point of the already drawn SFD. If UDL is acting up to the next point,
then there will be an inclined line. And the slope of the inclination can be calculated
as: Force per unit length x Distance.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 until you reach the other end of the beam.

STRENGTH OF MATERIAL LECTURE NOTE 23